The biggest villain on The Vampire Diaries was also one of the most loved characters in the franchise. Klaus entered Mystic Falls to kill and maim, but he ended up stealing fans' hearts. Along with his suave style and charm, Klaus also contained within him thousands of years worth of wisdom, which could be heard in his speech often.
Having been around practically forever, the Original vampire had seen the world evolve from its most rudimentary to what it is today. Along the way, he had gathered knowledge about the various ways of life, love, family, and art which he would frequently talk about on both The Vampire Diaries and The Originals.
Klaus On The Importance Of Family
“You Never Learned That The Bonds Of Family Far Outweigh Anything Else. Such Bonds Trump Petty Jealousies, They Overcome Great Feuds, And Yes, They Even Allow One Monster To Pardon The Great Sins Of Another.”
Many would debate about whether Klaus was a hero, but he was someone who was dedicated to his family. He recognized that his family was his greatest strength, even when he wronged or rejected them. He tried his best to ride solo, but Elijah, Rebekah, Kol, Freya, and the others were integral to his survival.
Therefore, he finally acknowledged the truth, which was that all feuds, fights, and evils stood no chance in front of family and that everything paled in comparison to familial support.
About A Mother's Love
"It Has Been Said That All Love Begins And Ends With She Who Gave Us Life."
In another profound moment, Klaus admitted that the origin of love lay with the mother, as did the end. He had had a difficult relationship with his own mother, but there was no denying the power and tenderness of a mother and her influence on her children.
This was also true of Hayley (who also had some great quotes), the mother of his daughter Hope. Nothing quite matches the power of maternal love and protection, and that can shape a child's life forever.
To Leave What-Ifs Behind
"Well, Life’s Full Of Ifs, Stefan. But Let’s Accentuate The Positives, Shall We?"
Stefan was quite a wise man himself, but sometimes he needed a nudge from an Original vampire who was ten times older than him and full of sagacity and intellect like no other. Brooding on the negatives and what-ifs was a special Stefan trait, which Klaus told him to get over.
The quote may have been said lightheartedly, but it held lots of truth in it. Focusing on what could have been and the alternatives are easy but often lands people in a rut. Looking ahead and moving forward was the way to go.
The Power Of Art
"Art Taught Me That One's Vision Can Be Achieved With Sheer Force Of Will."
Along with pure evil and wickedness, Klaus had a deep appreciation for the arts. He was surprisingly sensitive, and his softer side came out through his drawings and paintings. Even so, he used art to benefit himself, which was to achieve his visual goals and create something beautiful.
Determination and willpower were Klaus' best traits, and he perfected his art using the same qualities. He equated his artistic pursuits to his whole life but really did appreciate them fully.
To Accept People At Face Value
“If I Tell You Who I Really Am And You Refuse To Believe Me Then I Can Hardly Be Blamed For Your Disappointment.”
Klaus was a ruthless villain and he didn't hide it. Being good or virtuous was never his objective, yet people wanted to believe he was a better person than he claimed to be. Predictably, they would be disappointed, and Klaus' quote proved that when a person shows who they are, it's best to believe them.
He had good within him, but he never wore it on his sleeve. He worked for himself, with the exception of his family, and didn't project a false image. He advised others that they should believe the worst because that's what he would do.
Love Follows No Logic
"It's Not A Crime To Love What You Can't Explain."
The softest side of Klaus came about when he was near Caroline, and their phone conversation in The Vampire Diaries gave rise to this beautiful quote. As she languished with the predicament of carrying Jo's babies, he reassured her that it was alright if she loved them.
Love is unpredictable and that is the beauty of it, and this applied to Klaus and Caroline themselves too. There was no way to control it, and Klaus knew that.
To Embrace A New Day
“Either Way, A New Day Is Coming Whether We Like It Or Not. The Question Is Will You Control It, Or Will It Control You?”
He may be evil incarnate, but Klaus was definitely a go-getter. He was not one to procrastinate or ruminate on luck and fortune but preferred to pursue his goals doggedly. Few things stopped Klaus when he wanted something, and this quote is proof of that.
Terrible things happened every day in The Vampire Diaries universe, but he took it in his stride and took control of his own life. He could be a great motivator when he wanted to be.
On The Beauty Of Being Human
“What A Thing, You Know, To Have To Work That Hard Every Day Just To Stay Alive, To Be Constantly On The Verge Of Death, And How Satisfying Every Day Must Be That It Survived.”
Being immortal and untouchable, Klaus had forgotten what it felt like to be human and alive. He went about his day without a care in the world because few things could touch or harm him. Therefore, he was in awe of humans who survived all sorts of hurdles and made it out alive each day.
Not only did they survive, but they also thrived in the limited time they had on Earth. Klaus may have been proud of his power, but he could still admit that there was beauty in humanity.
The Inevitability Of Death
“Death Dances Silently In Everyone’s Shadow, And She Doesn’t Give A Damn. So Why Give A Damn About Her?”
Even though it was easy for an indestructible Original vampire to speak lightly about death, there was still a nugget of truth in Klaus' speech. Living in fear impeded any enjoyment of the present, so instead of skulking away from death, the best approach was to live life to the fullest.
Death is inevitable, so living in its shadow is a waste of time. After thousands of years of being alive, Klaus had seen generations come and go, and saw how people lived in fear and ruined their lives.
Klaus' Perfect Reason To Die
"What's Worth Dying For If Not Love?"
No matter how ruthless he got, Klaus still believed in love. Whether it was romantic love or love for family, he was a firm believer in it. He thought that love really did make the world go round, and if one had to die, it would rather be for love than anything else.
He had always been motivated by love, and the Mikaelson motto of "Always and Forever" also reflected Klaus' belief in it. He was unafraid to be in love.