The Best Quote From Every Lannister In A Song Of Ice And Fire

The Lannisters are one of A Song of Ice and Fire's most iconic great houses from George R.R. Martin's beloved fantasy universe, with a family tree that's been a bit complicated by some of the more... unique relationships described in the books. The family includes some of the story's most memorable characters, such as Tyrion, whom Martin has described as his personal favorite despite his often questionable decisions. Beyond the famous "half-man" of Westeros, the Lannister twins, Jaime and Cersei, share a taboo romantic relationship that has fueled countless rumors throughout the Seven Kingdoms. Their father, Tywin, is equally infamous for his ruthlessness and political ambitions, while numerous other relatives, despite their minor roles in the books, play an important part in establishing the Lannisters' status throughout the realm. However, the Lannisters are perhaps best remembered for their unforgettable dialogue, ranging from Tyrion's razor-sharp wit to Cersei's biting insults and Tywin's cold pronouncements. Here are the best quotes from every notable Lannister with dialogue in the novels, including Cersei's Baratheon-born children (Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen) who are unquestionably considered Lannisters in all but name. Ser Lancel Lannister Former Lord of Darry, Knight of the Warrior's Sons Credit: Helen Sloan/HBO "The brave man slays with a sword, the craven with a wineskin. We are both kingslayers, ser." — A Feast for Crows Speaking to Jaime in A Feast for Crows, Lancel acknowledges his complicity in Bobby B's death, comparing his use of wine to Jaime's killing of Aerys by the sword. The confession captures the guilt driving Lancel's turn to the cloth, where he sees himself as a coward in desperate need of atonement. What makes the exchange especially poignant is that Lancel has just admitted he once wanted to be Jaime. Their connection as kingslayers becomes a bitter reminder of his failures, bonding him to the cousin he idolized through bloodshed and shame. Lady Genna Lannister Lady of Riverrun, Sister of Tywin Lannister "...every little girl needs a big brother to protect her. Tywin was big even when he was little." — A Feast for Crows In A Feast for Crows, Lady Genna brings up a childhood memory during a conversation with Jaime from when she was just seven, where her father had arranged her marriage to Emmon Frey. While the other lords remained silent, a ten-year-old Tywin boldly opposed the choice, defending his younger sister when nobody else spoke up. It's a rare moment that shows Tywin's personality taking shape as a child, long before he became one of Westeros's most feared men. It actually humanizes the notoriously ruthless Lannister patriarch for once, giving readers a rare glimpse of his protective, almost tender side through his sister's memories. Ser Daven Lannister Warden of the West, Son of Ser Stafford Lannister "You know the best thing about heroes, Jaime? They all die young and leave more women for the rest of us." — A Feast for Crows Jaime reunites with his cousin Daven in A Feast for Crows during the Lannisters' siege of Riverrun, and when Jaime introduces his young squire Peck as a hero of the Battle of the Blackwater, Daven responds with a hilariously cynical reply. It's a perfect example of Daven's irreverent humor and surprisingly practical outlook on life that's a direct result of his battle-hardened worldview, and paints him perfectly as a man more interested in surviving a war than dying as a hero for honor or glory. Beneath the joke is a bit of unconventional wisdom for Jaime, pointing out that the pursuit of glory doesn't mean much if you're dead. Maester Theomore (born Theomore Lannister) Maester of New Castle, Servant of House Manderly, Lannister of Lannisport "Proof requires more than some lord’s unsupported word..." — A Dance with Dragons Maester Theomore, a member of the Lannisport branch of House Lannister serving under House Manderly, challenges Davos Seaworth during his attempt to secure support for Stannis Baratheon. When Davos claims that Cersei's children are illegitimate products of incest with Jaime, Theomore demands actual evidence as opposed to just accepting Stannis's word. It's a characteristically Lannister position to take and completely unsurprising, where it's pretty obvious Davos is right and everyone knows it, but Theomore conveniently defends his family's interests while appealing to authority/logic. His response also shows how the Lannisters' influence extends well beyond their ancestral stronghold at Casterly Rock. Gerion Lannister Uncle Gery, Youngest Brother of Tywin Lannister, Lost Explorer of Valyria Credit: MovieStillsDB "He was not the same man after she died ... The best part of him died with her." — A Storm of Swords There's a moment in ASOS where Tyrion recalls his uncle Gerion's take on how profoundly Joanna's death affected Tywin, who rarely spoke of his late wife. It's one of the most revealing insights into Tywin's character, suggesting that beneath his cold, ruthless exterior was once a man capable of genuine love and affection. Although Tywin was already a formidable man before Joanna's death, Gerion's words highlight that losing her hardened him to the extreme, also giving readers heartbreaking context for his emotionally distant and severe personality, particularly toward Tyrion, who he blames for Joanna's death. Lady Joanna Lannister Lady of Casterly Rock, Wife of Tywin Lannister, Mother of Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion "We all dream of things we cannot have. Tywin dreamed that his son would be a great knight, that his daughter would be a queen. He dreamed they would be so strong and brave and beautiful that no one would ever laugh at them." — A Feast for Crows Although Joanna died giving birth to Tyrion years before the events of A Song of Ice and Fire, she makes a noteworthy "appearance" in A Feast for Crows through a dream sequence of Jaime's. While dreaming of his father's funeral, Jaime encounters his deceased mother, who speaks on Tywin's ambitions for their children. It's one of the closest glimpses readers get of Joanna's personality, portraying her as compassionate, perceptive, and deeply familiar with her husband's insecurities, even if they aren't necessarily reliable. Although her words are part of Jaime's dream, they offer another rare perspective on Tywin's expectations, while also giving us a sense of Jaime's own feelings about both who his mother and father are/were. Ser Kevan Lannister Lord Regent, Protector of the Realm, Former Master of Laws "When a dog goes bad, the fault lies with his master..." OR "You are as unfit a mother as you are a ruler." — A Feast for Crows It was hard to choose between these two zingers from Kevan in A Feast for Crows, both of which are aimed at Cersei. After Tommen's wedding, they're discussing reports of Sandor Clegane wreaking havoc, prompting Kevan's comment about the vicious dog and making a not-so-subtle jab at Joffrey. Earlier, when Cersei seeks his support for her regency, Kevan bluntly declares her an unfit mother and ruler, earning a face full of wine. Both exchanges perfectly capture Kevan's no-nonsense personality and classic Lannister bluntness, showcasing his loyalty to the family above all and, at the same time, his clear disdain for what Cersei has done to the family name. Princess Myrcella Baratheon Princess of the Seven Kingdoms, Daughter of Cersei and Jaime Lannister "We're children ... we’re supposed to be childish." — A Clash of Kings Myrcella delivers this charmingly innocent response in ACOK when Joffrey mocks their younger brother Tommen for wanting to participate in a tournament during the king's nameday celebrations. When Joffrey accuses Tommen of being childish, Myrcella reminds him that they're still children, earning a laugh from even Sandor Clegane. It's a perfect example of Myrcella's innocence and sharp wit, and also a perfect contrast of her character against Joffrey's cruel nature. Unlike her older brother, Myrcella still values the simple joys of childhood, making her one of the more sympathetic members of the Lannister family. King Tommen I Baratheon King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms "When I’m king in my own right, I’m going to outlaw beets." — A Feast for Crows In A Feast for Crows, Tommen makes this adorably innocent declaration after Cersei refuses to let Ser Loras train him in jousting and reminds him that she rules until he comes of age. Despite being king, Tommen is still a child whose greatest ambitions include getting a kitten and avoiding vegetables. It's a charming reminder of his innocence amid the ruthless politics of Westeros, but also a tragic one given Maggy the Frog's prophecy foretelling the deaths of Cersei's children. Tommen has childlike dreams of what being a ruler will entail, completely unaware of the terrible dangers surrounding the throne. King Joffrey I Baratheon King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms "Fear is better than love, Mother says. She fears me." — A Clash of Kings Joffrey makes this chilling remark after ordering Sansa Stark beaten and humiliated as a result of her brother Robb's victories on the battlefield. When Tyrion confronts his nephew over the cruelty, Joffrey proudly insists that fear is better than love, citing Cersei and pointing to Sansa as proof. It's the perfect encapsulation of Joffrey's monstrous nature and spoiled entitlement, revealing a boy-king who terrorizes the powerless while still hiding behind his mother. Tyrion is one of the few people willing to challenge Joffrey openly, even invoking the Mad King's fate, but his attempts to teach the young king restraint ultimately prove futile.