In the history of fantasy movies, there are few characters as wise, as powerful, or as beloved as Gandalf. Of all of the wizards that appear in The Lord of the Rings, there’s no question that he is the best, for he holds true to his mission to do battle against Sauron in all of his forms, and he stays true to that, no matter how much he has to endure.
There are a number of quotes that Gandalf utters through the course of the movie, all of which demonstrate just why it is that he is the movie’s best wizard.
Gandalf The Wise
“Death Is Just Another Path… One That We All Must Take. The Grey Rain-Curtain Of This World Rolls Back, And All Turns To Silver Glass… And Then You See It.”
There are many moving and sad moments in the movies, but one of the most poignant is when Gandalf utters these lines to Pippin, as they wait for the great attack against Minas Tirith.
It’s a powerful statement from this wise and mighty being, and it helps to give Pippin strength as he contemplates the possibility that he might die. As Gandalf rightly points out, death is just another beginning, a journey that doesn’t have to be a source of dread or horror.
Knowing Your Limits
“Even The Very Wise Cannot See All Ends.”
Gandalf is one of the most powerful beings in Middle-earth, but he never lets that blind him or make him feel as if he is superior to anyone else. Indeed, of all of the characters that appear in the movies, he is arguably the wisest, for he recognizes that it isn’t just the “wise” and the “powerful” who understand how the world works.
In fact, it is his faith in the hobbits that will prove vital to the survival of Middle-earth and all that is good.
Use Your Time Wisely
“All We Have To Do Is Decide What To Do With The Time That Is Given To Us.”
There are very good reasons why Gandalf is regarded as one of Ian McKellen’s best roles, and quotes like this one illustrate why. He is full of wisdom that he has earned by living for so many years, and his words are a source of comfort and inspiration for Frodo.
As he powerfully reminds the young hobbit, there is no point in wishing that things were different. Instead, it’s up to every person to do all that they can to make the world a better place.
Gandalf Keeps An Open Mind
“You Can Learn All There Is To Know About Their Ways In A Month, And Yet After A Hundred Years They Can Still Surprise You.”
Even though many of the most powerful people in Middle-earth tend to underestimate the hobbits, that is not true of Gandalf. While those like Saruman look down on the hobbits and want to make use of them in his own way, Gandalf understands that there is a great deal of potential in these diminutive people from the Shire.
And, as it turns out, his ability to see past their love of comfort and good food will allow Frodo to become one of the most important heroes in the history of Middle-earth.
Tough Love When Needed
“Do Not Be Too Eager To Deal Out Death In Judgement.”
Gandalf is one of the most likable characters in the movies, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not capable of giving some tough love when he thinks that it’s necessary. In particular, he reminds Frodo that it is not always in anyone’s best interest to believe that death is the best punishment.
Indeed, as it turns out, it will be pity toward the horrible creature Gollum that will prove so pivotal to the destruction of the One Ring and the salvation of Middle-earth.
Crying Isn't A Bad Thing
“I Will Not Say: Do Not Weep; For Not All Tears Are An Evil.”
The parting at the Grey Havens is one of the saddest moments in the entire trilogy, for it marks the breaking of the Fellowship. Here, however, Gandalf delivers one of the series’ most powerful lines, when he reminds the gathered hobbits that it is okay to weep, that grief isn’t a bad thing and that, very often, it’s okay to cry.
It’s a poignant reminder that even though there will be times when everyone has to say goodbye, they are better for having known such true love.
The Most Iconic Line
“You Cannot Pass! I Am A Servant Of The Secret Fire, Wielder Of The Flame Of Anor. The Dark Fire Will Not Avail You, Flame Of Udun! Go Back To The Shadow. You Shall Not Pass!”
There are many exciting moments in the movie trilogy, but one of the most exhilarating is when Gandalf faces off against the malevolent Balrog, determined to face down this evil so that the rest of the Fellowship can make their way to safety.
It’s an iconic scene, to be sure, and “you shall not pass!” has spawned many great memes. Just as importantly, though, it demonstrates just how brave Gandalf is and how much he cares for his fellows.
Saruman Should've Listened
“There Is Only One Lord Of The Ring, Only One Who Can Bend It To His Will. And He Does Not Share Power.”
Saruman is undoubtedly one of Christopher Lee’s best roles, and he imbues this sinister wizard with a formidable power.
However, he falls into darkness, and it is at this moment that Gandalf reminds him that, for all that Saruman thinks that Sauron will make a valuable ally, in the end, he will destroy anyone that threatens him, no matter how much they might have helped him in his quest to conquer Middle-earth.
“Fly, You Fools!”
Gandalf deserves a great deal of credit for his willingness to sacrifice himself so that the rest of the Fellowship can escape from the Mines of Moria, and this line is all the more powerful because it comes as he is scrambling to pull himself free of the Balrog’s whip.
Rather than allowing the others to endanger themselves, however, he encourages them to flee, and then he falls to what they can only imagine is his death.
The Wisdom To Avoid It
“Understand, Frodo, I Would Use This Ring From A Desire To Do Good… But Through Me, It Would Wield A Power Too Great And Terrible To Imagine.”
The lure of the One Ring is enough to pull even the best of people to its sinister orbit, and it would have been easy for Gandalf to surrender to its siren song. To his immense credit, however, he renounces it, and this quote shows just how wise he is.
He not only realizes the true threat that the One Ring poses, but he also knows enough about himself to recognize that it would eventually turn his own best impulses against him.