When it comes to fantasy stories, war is a pretty prevalent concept, especially in the epic fantasy subgenre. Even though fantasy is supposed to be a form of escapism, it sometimes parallels incidents in real life, which helps it relate to the audience more, even in spite of its detachment from reality. This is the case for a lot of fantasy stories, even in the realm of television.

The small screen has seen its fair share of fantastical wars, involving magic and monsters, but also a hefty dose of reality. Many of the characters in this show have often expressed their views of conflict, allowing the viewer to sit and ponder the nature of conflict in the real world. These are the best quotes from fantasy TV shows about the nature of war, conflict, and death.

1

“Never make war in anger.”

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (2022–Present)

Image via Prime Video

Say what you will about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, but this simple line is actually pretty good. This line is uttered by Adar (Sam Hazeldine) in the second season. Much of the Middle-Earth legendarium outlined by J. R. R. Tolkien in his original works features numerous bloody conflicts, so many of the Elves, who are immortal, have lived through a lot of wars, Adar included. As such, they generally know when war is necessary, and when it’s not.

Adar may be corrupted by Morgoth, but his words are still true. With this quote, he weighs in on the fact that if one is going to start a war, they had best have a clear head and know what the heck they’re doing. To start a war based on a whim, or out of pure emotion, is not going to end well. Who knows? Maybe once the powers in charge have cooled down, they’ll realize their mistake, but at that point it will already be too late. Even though this is a fantasy series, this line couldn’t be any truer.

2

“Nobody wins in war.”

‘Arcane’ (2021–2024)

Image via Netflix

This quote from Season 1 of Arcane is pretty simply put and far from profound, but that doesn’t make it any less true. It’s pretty spot-on in fact. The one who drops this line is Vander (Jean-Benoît Blanc), who isn’t the main character of the show, but is still a supporting and guiding figure for the series’ main protagonists. This is because he used to be a ruthless killer, and is still pretty rough around the edges, so he certainly knows a thing or two about conflict.

While he doesn’t put it very eloquently, his statement is pretty fundamental to the concept of war. While most wars do have a definitive winner and loser on paper, the destructive power of war is such that it is bound to cause immense human suffering and death, as well as decimate the resources of the different factions. One might win, but at what cost? He’s basically arguing that the only way to win the game is to not play.

3

“No longer certain that one ever does win a war, I am.”

‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (2008–2020)

Image via Cartoon Network

Yes, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is fantasy — even franchise creator George Lucas says so himself. One of the franchise’s most iconic and recognizable characters is Yoda, voiced in Clone Wars by Tom Kane. The little green master is known for his backwards way of speaking, and for his infinite wisdom. He’s about 900 years old, after all. One is bound to gain some moral wisdom with all the things he’s seen and lived through.

As the Clone Wars rage, Yoda begins to doubt whether the Republic can actually win — in fact, he starts to doubt whether anyone can actually win. In Season 6, Yoda admits that he is growing more and more unsure that a victory is possible with how many people have died. Sure, someone might win on paper, but in the end, is any victory really worth the deaths? This is basically a more elaborate version of the one from Arcane, but it’s still true, in any event.

4

“War doesn’t build, it destroys. Only peace can create.”

‘The Dragon Prince’ (2018–2024)

Image via Netflix

The Dragon Prince is generally a less mature TV show, yet this line is still an important lesson to viewers of all ages. The one saying it is Prince Ezran (Sasha Rojen), who may be young, but still knows this to be absolutely true. Maybe it’s because he understands the conflicts that have been plaguing Xadia for much of its history, even if he previously spent much of his time far from the front lines.

He doesn’t put it in a very profound or philosophical way, but his statement is brutally honest and straight to the point. Even in real life, the sole purpose of conflict is to destroy. It’s not to foster courage or inspiration, it’s to beat the enemy into submission until they can’t take it anymore. Ezran states that many of the world’s greatest achievements, whether it be art, innovation, or the human connection, can only be fostered in times or places of peace.

5

“Sometimes, the best way to prevent a war is to be ready to fight one.”

‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ (1995–2001)

Image via Universal Television

This quote from Xena: Warrior Princess is said by Xena (Lucy Lawless) herself. She’s not just a great warrior, but she’s a great leader and tactician, too, who knows exactly how to defeat her enemies. This series is based on Greek myth, so it does parallel history a little bit, which is why this quote is particularly memorable. Namely in the fact that, like many of the others on this list, it’s pretty factual.

Xena basically says that preventing war isn’t always a matter of pushing for peace or finding a compromise. Sometimes, the enemy is out for blood and isn’t planning on backing down. In this instance, the best solution is to prepare oneself for an attack and build up strength, so that when the enemy does make their move, the defenders will be ready to crush the resistance and end the conflict as quickly as possible. It’s a commentary on how it’s best to be on the defensive rather than on the offensive, especially in a situation where diplomacy isn’t an option.

6

“I know what’s worth the fight, and what is not. Honor and courage are matters of the bone, and what a man will kill for, he will sometimes die for, too.”

‘Outlander’ (2014–Present)

Image via Starz

Outlander opens up in World War II, but features the supernatural ability to time travel, leaving two lovers jumping back and forth between various eras, many of which are still pretty war-torn. This is a low fantasy series, so most of the eras explored are actual pieces of human history. As such, many of the characters are pretty familiar with the brutality people frequently inflict on each other, which has been a constant throughout time.

Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) is the primary love interest for the protagonist of the series, who embarks with her on her journey through time. In this quote, he states that he has seen a lot of conflict, and has come to understand what drives people to fight and kill. He knows what is worth starting a war over, and when it’s better to walk away. He implies here that love is more than worth it, especially love as strong as he feels. Indeed, quite a few wars throughout human history have been started in the name of love, and love can drive people to go to any lengths necessary, so he’s not wrong.

7

“The best victories are won before swords are crossed.”

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

Image via HBO

Lady Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg), also known as the Queen of Thorns, is known for her abrasive, yet clever insults and comebacks. She has lived a long time, which means she’s got a lot of wisdom underneath that headdress she’s always wearing. She generally disapproves of Westerosi politics, but isn’t afraid to make her move whenever she sees an opening. However, she would much prefer her move be discreet, so as not to cause major fallout.

In fact, in one of the later seasons of Game of Thrones, she drops this line, which is not only true to life, but also a perfect reflection of her character. What she’s basically saying is that the greatest victories are the ones that avoid conflict. If compromise is an option, it should be pursued. If not, it is best to assure your victory before the real fighting starts via a series of political maneuvers. It’s a line that more world leaders should really take to heart.

8

“We were taught that the Fire Nation was the greatest civilization in history, and somehow, the war was our way of sharing our greatness with the rest of the world.”

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005–2008)

Image via Nickelodeon

This is one of the truest things ever said in Avatar: The Last Airbender. The line is said by Prince Zuko (Dante Basco), a troubled and complex character throughout the series. He belongs to the Fire Nation, who largely serve as the antagonists of the series. It’s an authoritarian state that uses their superior technology to conquer the other three nations, ruling over them with an iron fist.

Here, Zuko reflects on his childhood, talking about how the Fire Nation brainwashed him into thinking the war was a good thing. It wasn’t until he got older that he realized how wrong that excuse was. This is actually pretty reflective of colonialism, with many colonial wars being fought in the name of “civilizing” or manifest destiny, yet they actually wrought unspeakable horrors. It’s a concept that’s true to life, and to the world of Avatar.

9

“Humanity will never stop fighting until there’s only one person left.”

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Image via Crunchyroll

Commander Erwin Smith (Daisuke Ono) is known for being one of the most experienced and level-headed military officials in Attack on Titan. In humanity’s last remaining refuge, corruption reigns. Many military officials are cowardly, hedonistic, and perfectly content in letting others do their dirty work for them. But not Erwin. Erwin likes to be where the action is. As the leader of the Scout Regiment, his role is to go beyond the wall on excursions. Here, he witnesses the worst of human capability.

If there’s one thing Erwin knows, it’s that one constant piece of human history, even in a fantastical world, is conflict. It’s one thing to want peace, but it’s pretty unattainable since there will always be someone to muck it up. What Erwin is saying here is that the only way to achieve true peace is for there to be only one person left on Earth, because as long as there are two, someone is going to want someone dead. It’s pretty cynical, but it is a harsh truth about human nature.

10

“People blame us for breaking the world, but they didn’t bother to pick up the pieces. 3,000 years later, and they’re still bashing about with swords and queens.”

‘The Wheel of Time’ (2021–2025)

Image via Prime Video

Ishamael (Fares Fares) is the chief of the 13 Forsaken in The Wheel of Time. He has lived for millennia, and has witnessed some of the most devastating conflicts on Earth. To understand this quote, one has to know a bit of the context of the story. The Forsaken are commonly blamed for tainting the male half of the One Power, the source of all magic, which drove the Dragon Reborn, Lews Therin Telamon (Alexander Karim) insane. Lews Therin then destroyed the world, with the Forsaken taking the blame for it.

Ishamael doesn’t deny his actions, but he does make a good point. Namely, he says that nobody bothered to try to build a better world after the Breaking, and that humanity was still set in its way. Wars still erupted, and they’re still going on. So maybe the world was always meant to break, and maybe it’s not entirely the fault of the Forsaken. This is pretty cynical as well, and kind of mirrors what Erwin Smith says, but it does also help the viewer understand the Dark One’s view a little bit.

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The Wheel of Time

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Release Date

2021 – 2025-00-00

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Network

Prime Video

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Showrunner

Rafe Judkins

Directors

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Sanaa Hamri, Ciaran Donnelly, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Thomas Napper, Maja Vrvilo, Wayne Che Yip

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