After several seasons playing Elena Gilbert on The Vampire Diaries, Nina Dobrev continued to star in stories about romance, including Netflix's holiday comedy Love Hard. Dobrev's upcoming films include the action-packed The Out-Laws about a bank heist and Sick Girl about a woman wanting to be close to her friends again.
Elena Gilbert is a beloved character for the compassion that she shows everyone in her life. Whether she's turning into a vampire, choosing between brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore, or talking about grief, Elena shares her kind and strong personality and isn't afraid to be vulnerable.
"I’m Not A Believer... But How Can I Deny What’s Right In Front Of Me?"
Elena writes in her diary about vampires in season 1
The Vampire Diaries season 1 gets better over time, especially the moment when Elena realizes that there are vampires in her hometown of Mystic Falls. Elena writes in her journal about how she's been a rational person who listens to logic up until now, but it's tough to ignore what she has seen with her own eyes.
This quote says a lot about Elena's logical, intelligent, and calm personality. While she never thought that she would be in this position, she doesn't want to pretend, as she realizes that she can't ignore Stefan and Damon. The best thing that she can do is face the situation.
"I'm Scared That If I Let Myself Be Happy For One Moment..."
Elena is scared of her feelings for Stefan in season 1
After losing her parents, Elena is in a lost and vulnerable place. She shares that she's afraid of falling in love with Stefan because he could hurt her and "I don't know if I'll be able to survive that." Elena has met Stefan at a specific time in her life when she's more confused than she has ever been before.
Elena does take the risk of falling for Stefan, but she's nervous the entire time, and since she becomes involved in a love triangle with his brother and intense things keep happening in Mystic Falls, she's right to be worried.
"They Don't Remember That Our Parents Are Dead..."
Elena talks to Jeremy about grief in the pilot
Elena and Jeremy's close sibling bond is one of the sweetest parts of season 1, and in the pilot episode, Elena tells her brother that she thinks he should try moving on and finding some peace. Elena just wants to help and be there for him, although they have had trouble connecting lately.
Elena's words are harsh but true, as she realizes that their grief is raw and powerful, but she wants them both to feel better and be able to live their lives normally again.
"Quiet, Still, Peaceful. I Like Our Life When It's Like This."
Elena talks to Damon in season 5
There are many great TVD episodes about Elena and Damon, including in season 5, when Elena says that it's lovely to be together without any wild surprises. Damon jokes that something big will likely happen soon.
This quote proves how much Elena wants to live a regular life and how even after she becomes a vampire, it doesn't feel like she is destined to remain that way. This moment foreshadows the future, when the couple will stay together and grow old and die in Mystic Falls, a powerful and beautiful ending.
"You And I Met First... Damon, Why Didn't You Tell Me?"
Elena realizes the truth in season 4
In season 4, Elena finds out that she met Damon before Stefan, and this changes her entire perception of her love story with both brothers. It turns out that Damon was there when Elena's parents died in a car accident and they had a conversation.
Elena is shocked by this discovery and also hurt that Damon lied to her. Since Elena has been through so much and seen so much loss in her young life, she values honesty more than anything, and she needs people to be loyal to her.
"I've Been So Selfish Because I Love You So Much."
Elena shares her feelings in season 2
In season 2, Stefan and Elena have a hard conversation, and Elena is honest with him. She tels him that she has let her feelings get in the way of everything else and adds, "I know how much you love me."
One of Elena's most clear personality traits is how much she cares about other people and wears her heart on her sleeve. Even when she's afraid, she still tells someone how she feels about them because she knows that life is short and that there's no time to waste.
"You Don't Have Anybody Either, So... We're Kind Of Good For Each Other."
Elena helps Alaric in season 3
Alaric Saltzman's smart TVD quotes allow viewers to see him as an integral part of the series. His bond with Jeremy and Elena is special as well, and in season 3, Elena tells him that the three of them should lean on each other because they feel so alone in the world.
Elena is a compassionate person who always has a lot going on that she could focus on, but she never wants someone else to feel the sadness and loneliness that she has for so long.
"Missing Bonnie Makes Me Sad... Missing Damon Makes Me Dangerous."
Elena wants to forget loving Damon in season 6
It's terrible for Elena to lose Bonnie Bennett, as they have been friends for so long, and with this memorable quote, Elena explains that it's awful to be without her best pal but it's also painful to miss Damon. Elena wants to forget about her feelings for Damon permanently as it's too much for her to live this way.
Many of Elena's quotes are full of sadness, but this one stands out as being particularly upsetting as Elena has had to face death too many times in her young life. Elena thinks about Damon every moment of every day and all she wants is a reprieve from mourning him. This quote shows that when Elena loves someone, she's loyal to them and never forgets how she feels about them.
"If I Had To Drive Around With Everyone That I've Lost, I'd Need A School Bus."
Elena talks about losing people in season 6
There are many heartbreaking TVD deaths, and Elena often talks about life and death, as this is something that she has had to think about a lot. Elena comments on the many people who she has had to say goodbye to, from her parents to her best friend Bonnie.
Elena tries to be strong for the other people around her, but it's clear that she thinks about her parents all the time, and she always wishes that they could still be here for her. Even when fans don't agree with Elena's decisions, they know she's a caring person.
"That's My life. Weird. Messy... And Above All, Epic. I Owe It All To Stefan."
Elena thanks Stefan in the series finale
While fans debate whether Elena should be with Stefan or Damon forever, it does seem to work story-wise that Elena and Damon live out a human life together and then pass away. In the series finale, Elena realizes that she met Stefan at the exact right time in her life.
Elena always gives credit where credit is due and wants Stefan to know that she really appreciates everything that he has done for her. It's sweet that Elena cares so much about Stefan despite the heartbreak of their story.