The best Gandalf quotes are the ones that display his immense wisdom. Throughout both the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies he has many great lines.

In The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf is the mentor and a wise wizard who provides guidance for Frodo on his journey as well as Bilbo before him in The Hobbit. In many ways, he exemplifies the archetype of the wizard character, and he is great at dispensing wisdom.

While Gandalf is also extremely powerful as one of the few Istari in Middle Earth, his quotes are filled with wisdom and insight and are some of the most memorable things about him. Many of Gandalf's quotes are still enshrined in pop culture today, decades after the original movies were released and his wisest are always worth remembering.

Updated on February 13th, 2022 by Mark Birrell: The best Gandalf quotes are often the ones that display his immense wisdom. Throughout both the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies, Gandalf is an invaluable source of information and guidance. However, many of the wisest things that he says are simple phrases that can be applied to everyday life.

Gandalf On Judgment

“Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends.”

Gandalf is someone that has a lot more insight into life and death than the average Hobbit or human in the Lord of the Rings. As an Istari, he has an extremely long life similar to the elves. When Frodo expresses disgust over Gollum and wishes for his death, Gandalf offers these words of advice.

While wishing that certain people weren’t around anymore might be normal, Gandalf reminds Frodo that it’s not anyone's place to deal out death and how the way things work together, in the end, can’t always be seen.

Gandalf On The Fall Of The World Of Men

"The old wisdom born out of the West was forsaken. Kings made tombs more splendid than the houses of the living and counted the names of their descent dearer than the names of their sons."

One of the wisest Gandalf quotes only makes it into the extended version of The Return of the King but it's a moment that's worth highlighting for its relevance to some of the key themes seen in that film.

As Gandalf and Pippin walk away from their disheartening first meeting with Denethor, Gandalf explains to Pippin how the line of kings had failed and how Gondor had gone into such a state of decline. Though he would never have listened to them, Denethor needed these words most of all, his treatment of Faramir directly echoing Gandalf's assessment of the rot lying at the heart of the world of Men.

Gandalf On Courage

"True courage is about knowing not when to take a life but when to spare one."

This Gandalf quote comes from the first Hobbit movie, An Unexpected Journey, during a significant moment when Gandalf hands Bilbo his iconic sword, Sting, which Frodo would inherit in The Lord of the Rings.

The line is, as always, profoundly wise advice but it also has an interesting connection to the plot as this is the part of the story in which Bilbo meets and then spares the life of the character Gollum. Taking pity on Gollum as Frodo would also do, Bilbo's decision not to kill Gollum sets in motion the acts that ultimately destroy both Gollum and the Ring of Power in the fires of Mount Doom many years later in the events of The Return of the King.

 Gandalf On Finding Your Way

“If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose.”

While the best Gandalf quotes are often quite serious, he can also be rather funny. Gandalf definitely has a lighter side and a good sense of humor that comes out fairly often. This is especially true when he is talking to Hobbits.

When the Fellowship gets lost in Moria, Gandalf finds their way through using a less-than-scientific method. He then says this to Merry, and it just goes to show that part of what makes Gandalf so wise is his consideration of the simple things in life.

Gandalf Urges Bilbo To Go On An Adventure

“The world is not in your books and maps. It's out there.”

This quote is from the first Hobbit film. In The Hobbit, especially in the books, Gandalf is less serious than he is in The Lord of the Rings. This is because the overall situation in Middle Earth gets much worse as the story goes on, but when he meets Bilbo he’s in rather good spirits.

Bilbo is a rare Hobbit who loves both comfort and adventure, and Gandalf encourages him to experience the world. This is also a good reminder for fans to go out and enjoy things in the real world.

Gandalf On Death

“Death is just another path. One that we all must take.”

The Lord of the Rings series deals with many heavy themes such as war and death. When Pippin, someone who is quite young and very sheltered, is exposed to the horrors of death and war in Gondor, he’s understandably scared. Gandalf is able to provide him some comfort by talking about how death isn’t scary, but it’s just the next path everyone in the world goes on.

Gandalf shares his wisdom about the afterlife and it's powerful enough to provide Pippin with comfort during these scary moments.

Gandalf Says Goodbye

“I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.”

One of the themes of the Lord of the Rings series is the importance of friendship. The bonds between the Fellowship of the Ring are strong bonds forged from loyalty as they go through traumatic events together.

When Gandalf and Frodo leave Middle Earth to go to the Undying Lands, they must say goodbye to Sam, Merry, and Pippin. Gandalf reminds them all that crying and feeling sad isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and it’s alright to feel these things when it comes to saying goodbye.

Gandalf On Everyday Goodness

“Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I have found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love.”

This is another quote that comes from The Hobbit movies. This line speaks once again to Gandalf’s understanding of the importance of regular people. The Hobbits in the series are a stand-in for how even the most regular people can make a big difference in the world.

This Gandalf quote is all about how important it is to do good wherever possible and treat other people with kindness, and it’s definitely a quote that acts as an inspiration for all fans in their daily lives.

The Most Famous Gandalf Quote?

“A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.”

This is another one of Gandalf’s most iconic lines and another example of his sense of humor as well as his somewhat dramatic nature.

When Frodo accuses him of being late, Gandalf refuses to accept this. Instead, he says this hilarious quote that sums up both the mentality of wizards and their eccentricity. There is, however, a certain kind of wisdom to it as Gandalf illustrates that, as one of the Istari in particular, he acts according to a will greater than his own. Gandalf is always where he needs to be when he needs to be there and he knows it.

Gandalf On Time

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.”

This line from The Fellowship of the Ring film is one of the most popular Gandalf quotes. It speaks to how living in difficult times isn’t something anyone asks for but it doesn't rob people of their ability to choose.

It’s an inspiring quote that speaks to inner strength and making the best of life. Gandalf's understanding of the inner workings of existence is deeper than anyone else's in the Fellowship and this quote really reminds fans of that.

NEXT: 15 Gandalf Quotes That Prove He's As Wise As He Is A Wizard