Even in their traditional fairy tale stories, the heroes in Disney movies are not always a prince rescuing the princess. In fact, Disney heroes vary greatly in personality, status, background, and individual struggles. Thus, there is bound to be a unique quote that suits some of Disney's most popular heroes.
Like the Disney princesses, some heroes have a signature song, which includes a lyric that would perfectly reflect their nature. But not all Disney heroes like to sing (as one particular hero makes perfectly clear in his movie) and offer their perfect quote in the form of observation, advice, or even self-reflection.
Flora, Fauna, And Merryweather
"I'd Like To Turn Her Into A Fat Ol' Hop Toad." / "Now Dear, That Isn't A Very Nice Thing To Say." / "Besides, We Can't. You Know Our Magic Doesn't Work That Way."
Phillip may have been the dashing prince who ultimately threw the sword to kill Maleficent, but there is no question that the true heroes of Sleeping Beauty are the three fairies Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. It is Merryweather who softens Aurora's curse and the three of them raise Aurora from infancy. They then rescue Phillip and enchant his weapons so he can kill Maleficent in dragon form.
The three fairies work well as a trio but individually, they each have distinct personalities. There is a small exchange where they each say a line that perfectly represents each fairy's personality. The above exchange when wondering how to deal with Maleficent captures Merryweather's hotheaded yet comedic temper, Fauna's sweet and soft nature, and Flora's practicality and status as the leader of the group.
Robin Hood
"Rob? That's A Naughty Word. We Never Rob. We Just... Sort Of Borrow A Bit From Those Who Can Afford It."
Disney's animal adaptation of Robin Hood remains one of the most popular versions to this date. It helps that Robin himself is a rather likable hero. He's a fugitive but a very selfless fox who famously robs from the rich to give to the poor. His gallant yet roguish nature cements him as one of Disney's best classic heroes.
When Little John asks if they're good or bad because they rob to provide for the poor, Robin tuts and claims that they "never rob." The above quote solidly represents Robin's morals, as well as highlighting his valor, his charming gentlemanly nature, and also his sense of humor.
Aladdin
"Gotta Eat To Live, Gotta Steal To Eat. Otherwise, We'd Get Along."
Aladdin is one of Disney's most notable heroes, being the titular protagonist of a thoroughly beloved classic. Although confident and carefree at first glance, Aladdin wants people to see he's so much more than a "street rat," which he proves greatly over the course of the movie.
Having lived on the streets all his life, Aladdin is a natural trickster. He uses his cunning and quick thinking to his advantage, whether it's to steal food or defeat Jafar. He even tricked the Genie into getting a free wish. The song "One Jump Ahead" perfectly shows Aladdin's personality and lifestyle but the above lyric is particularly good as it shows that Aladdin's reasons to steal are purely to get by and he has no intention of harming anyone.
Simba
"Going Back Means I'll Have To Face My Past. I've Been Running From It For So Long."
1994's The Lion King is one of Disney's most successful and popular films ever made. The lion king in question is Simba, who is due to take over the pride from his father, Mufasa. Interestingly, there are technically two speaking versions of Simba in the movie, young Simba and adult Simba.
Young Simba is confident yet immature, and this immaturity (thanks to a carefree lifestyle from Timon and Pumbaa) transitions into adulthood. It's not until he speaks to Rafiki and the ghost of Mufasa that he really grows up and returns to face his uncle Scar. The above quote represents Simba's maturity, as well as reflecting the irresponsible behavior from his old self, both from childhood and early adulthood.
Quasimodo
"Though I Might Wish With All My Might, No Face As Hideous As My Face Was Ever Meant For Heaven's Light"
Most fans know that The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of Disney's darker yet underrated animated gems. Loosely based on the novel by Victor Hugo, the film focuses on the hunchbacked bell-ringer of Notre Dame, Quasimodo.
Despite years of mistreatment and lessons from his cruel guardian Frollo, Quasimodo is good-hearted and gentle. But what the years of cruelty have done is made Quasimodo shy and very much lacking in self-confidence. This all is perhaps best expressed with the lyric from the song "Heaven's Light," where Quasimodo expresses his love for Esmerelda. This is later contrasted by one of Disney's most powerful and infamous songs "Hellfire", sung by the villainous Frollo.
Hercules
"I Would Go Most Anywhere To Feel Like I Belong."
There is perhaps no other Disney hero that aptly suits the title more than Hercules. In order to restore his godhood, Hercules must learn what it means to become a "true hero," which he soon finds out is much more than rescuing people from monsters.
Whilst Hercules' main quest is to be a true hero, his real quest is to find where he fits in. Because of his initial lack of control over his superhuman strength, Hercules becomes a misfit and feels like her doesn't fit in anyway. The song "Go the Distance" helps reflect his vulnerability and desire to "belong" and no lyric does this more than "I would go most anywhere to feel like I belong."
Mulan
"Somehow I Cannot Hide Who I Am, Though I've Tried. When Will My Reflection Show Who I Am Inside?"
Heroine Mulan is without a doubt one of Disney's strongest characters to date. She is something of a misfit and struggles to live up to what is expected in society, as most demonstrated by her disastrous meeting with the matchmaker. Equally, Mulan initially struggles to fit in with her fellow soldiers, resulting in both hilarity and sympathy.
"Reflection" is one of the best songs in Mulan, as it shows Mulan's struggles trying to be good to her family as well as trying to be herself. The above lyric is perhaps the best fitting of this. But it is when she combines her strengths as Mulan before joining the army, and her experiences as Ping that Mulan finds her true self and shines, ultimately saving all of China.
Flynn Rider
"A Little Rebellion, A Little Adventure, That's Good. Healthy, Even."
The thief Flynn Rider from Tangled is not the most conventional hero but he is one nevertheless, and a very likable one at that. Roguish, dashing, and cocky, Flynn Rider is a funny and delightful character to watch, especially his dynamics with uptight guard horse Maximus.
Flynn is an outlaw and he is a bit reckless and irresponsible. So when trying to persuade Rapunzel that it is okay that she left her tower, he tells her "a little rebellion, a little adventure, that's good. Healthy, even." This line not only reflects Flynn's adventurous and irresponsible nature but his crafty ways as a thief and also his sense of humor.
Wreck-It Ralph
"Got A Bit Of A Temper On Me. My Passion Bubbles Very Near The Surface, I Guess."
An unexpected Disney hero is technically a villain, although he doesn't want to be. Wreck-It Ralph is the villain of the arcade game "Fix-It Felix Jr." and is treated like one even when the arcade is closed. But even though he's supposed to be a "bad guy," Ralph is far from it.
As the most likable character in Wreck-It Ralph, the video game villain is good at heart and sensitive. As well as being sensitive, he has a short temper, something that he acknowledges when introducing himself at a bad guys support group (and ultimately the audience.) The above quote also shows how Ralph is an honest person, and his passion does not necessarily mean his temper. It can mean both his sensitivity and determination. When he sets his mind on something, Ralph will stop at nothing to get it, whether it's a medal or getting Vanellope into a race.
Judy Hopps
"Well, He Was Right About One Thing: I Don't Know When To Quit!"
2016's Zootopia is one of Disney's more recent popular movies, centered in a world populated by anthropomorphized animals in a metropolitan setting. The movie primarily focuses on young rabbit Judy Hopps as she fulfills her dreams to become a police officer and unravel a case involving missing predators.
Judy's main characteristic is her enthusiasm and relentlessness. She very rarely gives up on a task and strives to go beyond. Even at her most low, she took her parents' truck to return to Zootopia to solve the case the moment she got a lead. So this is why this is the quote that best sums Judy up is when she picks herself up after a confrontation with bully Gideon.