House of the Dragon. The original is a series that succeeds in large part because of the strength of its writing. After all, its characters are quite capable of expounding on all sorts of weighty issues, from the nature of politics to whether it is possible to be a moral person in a deeply amoral world.
However, while the writers of the series kept many of the most iconic quotes from George RR Martin’s original novels, there are a large number of quotes from various characters that didn’t make it into the series but which, considering their richness, probably should have.
Love Is Strength And Weakness
“We Are Only Human, And The Gods Have Fashioned Us For Love. That Is Our Great Glory, And Our Great Tragedy." - Maester Aemon
There are many powerful, poignant moments in the novels, and one of those occurs in an exchange between Jon and Maester Aemon, who utters the quote above. It’s a haunting quote because it’s clear that Aemon is thinking not only of Eddard–who Jon defends as an honorable man–but also of all of the things he left behind when he set out to become a maester and then took his place on the Wall.
It’s a beautiful and saddening reminder of just how frail human existence truly is, and it would have been fascinating to see it in the series.
A Back-Handed Compliment
"The Horse Was Adequate, And My Lord Is As Kind As I Am Humble." - Loras Tyrell
Ser Loras Tyrell is one of the more tragic characters on Game of Thrones, particularly since his relationship with Renly, always a secret, ends in tragedy when the latter is killed. This quote comes from the book, and with it he is mocking Jaime Lannister.
It’s a striking reminder of how different their statuses are and how Loras accepts and owns his self-confidence since Loras is just starting out on his career, while Jaime is growing older. Seeing the two have this conversation in the series would no doubt have made for one of the funniest moments in Game of Thrones.
The Problems With Ressurection
“Can I Dwell On What I Scarce ?” - Beric Dondarrion
Beric Dondarrion is another of the series’ fascinating secondary characters. Though he has the ability to come back from the dead–thanks to his servant, Thoros, it becomes something of a weight that is difficult for him to bear.
In this quote, he reveals just how much he has given up due to his resurrections, and he has clearly begun to lose his deep attachment to his original home. Seeing this in the HBO series would no doubt have added a further layer of complexity to this compelling individual.
One Gets What One Deserves
"Every Man Shall Reap What He Has Sown, From The Highest Lord To The Lowest Gutter Rat. And Some Will Lose More Than The Tips Off Their Fingers, I Promise You. They Have Made My Kingdom Bleed, And I Do Not Forget That.” - Stannis Baratheon
Stannis might not have been the most likable of the Baratheons, but none could deny that he had a sense of honor. Indeed, throughout the series, it was this code that governed his behavior. This is one of those book quotes that helped to show that, beneath his gritty, steely exterior, he did truly believe in doing what was right for the people of Westeros, not just for himself.
Given that some of this was lost in his on-screen depiction, this quote would have kept him from becoming as much of a villain as he ultimately did.
Fairness and Consequences
“A Good Act Does Not Wash Out The Bad. A Bad Act Does Not Wash Out The Good. Each Should Have Its Own Reward." - Stannis Baratheon
One of the best things about Game of Thrones was its willingness to engage with weighty, real-world issues, particularly surrounding morality. In this case, Stannis makes it clear that, from his perspective, morality is not just a matter of atonement and apology. Instead, a price must be paid for an act of wrongdoing.
It’s another of those quotes that would have been useful to see in the series, as it would have given more texture and nuance to his characterization, demonstrating the extent to which he did have a moral philosophy of his own.
Leveraging Natural Gifts
“My Brother Has His Sword, King Robert Has His Warhammer And I Have My Mind...And A Mind Needs Books As A Sword Needs A Whetstone If It Is To Keep Its Edge. That's Why I Read So Much Jon Snow." - Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion Lannister was, in many ways, one of the smartest characters in the series. With his subtle mind and his political strategies, he was a key adviser to many, including Dany. He was also capable of delivering some of the best lines. Though many of these made it into the HBO series, this one was left out.
This is a shame, as including it would have allowed the viewer to see just how much thought Tyrion has given to his own abilities and how he has come to realize, in a way that Jon Snow never really does, that one has to make the most out of one's native abilities.
Honor Among The Dead
"Rhaegar Fought Valiantly, Rhaegar Fought Nobly, Rhaegar Fought Honorably. And Rhaegar Died." - Jorah Mormont
Though he only hovers in the background, Rhaegar should still be one of the best of the Targaryens in Game of Thrones. Honorable in a way that many in his family were not, he was the type of person who seemed poised to become the kind of king his father never could be. Unfortunately, as this quote makes clear, it was his very sense of honor that ultimately led to his downfall.
Including this quote by Jorah Mormont, a man who has had his own honor sullied, would have helped to solidify the sense that, in this world, cynicism and avarice are ultimately what allows people to win, rather than honor.
Seeking One's Highest Potential
“Perhaps We Can Fly. All Of Us. How Will We Ever Know Unless We Leap From Some Tall Tower? No Man Ever Truly Knows What He Can Do Unless He Dares To Leap.” - Euron Greyjoy
In some ways, Euron is one of the worst villains in the series, because he ultimately becomes little more than a cardboard cutout. His book counterpart, on the other hand, is often full of surprising wisdom, as this quote demonstrates. Here, he shows why his ambitions may actually allow him to triumph where so many other of his family have failed.
Had they chosen to include it in the series, it would have allowed him to become a much more compelling and fascinating character than he ultimately was.
The Power Of Memory And Song
"Winter Will Never Come For The Likes Of Us. Should We Die In Battle, They Will Surely Sing Of Us, And It's Always Summer In The Songs. In The Songs All Knights Are Gallant, All Maids Are Beautiful, And The Sun Is Always Shining." - Brienne Of Tarth
There’s no question that Brienne of Tarth is one of the bravest characters in the series. She repeatedly throws herself into harm’s way, particularly when it comes to both Arya and Sansa. She also has her fair share of strong lines, but this is one that wasn’t included.
This is a shame, as it is one of those moments where she reveals how optimistic she remains and how deeply she believes in the code of knighthood that has been key to her entire sense of self.
The Power Of Words
"When You Tear Out A Man's Tongue, You Are Not Proving Him A Liar, You're Only Telling The World That You Fear What He Might Say." - Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion is responsible for several insightful and memorable quotes from throughout A Game of Thrones and the full A Song of Ice and Fire series. Of all of his family –excepting, perhaps, his father–he is the one with the keenest political instincts and the surest understanding of how power actually works.
This would have been a great quote to include in the show, as it would have shown beyond a shadow of a doubt just why it is that Tyrion was one of the few people in the series to truly understand what was going on around him.