Top 10 Iroh Quotes from Avatar the Last Airbender
Top 10 Iroh Quotes from Avatar: The Last Airbender
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Everyone needs an uncle who gives advice like Iroh! Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down the top 10 Iroh quotes from “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” For this list, we’ll be going over some of the most memorable, inspiring, and funny things said by Iroh from the animated series “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and its sequel “The Legend of Korra.” Some of these quotes will touch on plot points, so spoilers ahead!
#10: Life Happens “City of Walls and Secrets”
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On the outs with the Fire Nation, Iroh and his nephew Prince Zuko are forced to flee to Ba Sing Se, capital of the Earth Kingdom. Once there, the duo get jobs working at a tea shop. Although Iroh is naturally thrilled, given his love of tea, Zuko compares the city to a prison; complaining that he doesn’t want to make a life there. Iroh replies that life will happen whether Zuko tries to make one there or not. It’s great advice on making the best of whatever life throws at you.
#9: Admit Mistakes “The Tales of Ba Sing Se”
This anthology style episode follows various cast members in short vignettes around the walled city of Ba Sing Se. Iroh’s tale sees the former general running errands around town. At one point, he comes across a group of earthbender kids playing a game similar to soccer. However, their play leads to their ball going through a man’s nearby paper window screen. Iroh advises the children that owning up to your mistakes is the best way to restore honor. While this is a good policy, we also have to agree with Iroh that sometimes running away is better, such as when the large, angry man comes after them.
#8: Overrated “The Crossroads of Destiny”
Iroh may be nominally in opposition to the Avatar and his friends, but he never bears them any ill will. So when Zuko’s sister Azula kidnaps her brother and Katara, Iroh is all to willing to work together with the young heroes. While traveling down a tunnel together, Aang asks Iroh for advice. He recounts being asked to let go of someone he loves to acquire more power. Iroh states that perfection and power are overrated, and that Aang was wise to choose happiness and love instead. The latter two concepts can be fulfilling on their own, but without them, power and perfection are empty.
#7: Sources of Wisdom “Bitter Work”
In order to better combat Azula, Iroh decides to teach Zuko how to become a better fire bender. When Zuko has difficulty learning how to shoot lightning, Iroh instead tries to teach Zuko how to redirect it instead. To preface this however, Iroh details the four nations as well as their corresponding elements and general characters. Although Zuko is confused, Iroh explains that he learned the technique by studying the waterbenders. He tells his nephew that it’s important to look to many different sources for wisdom, as only listening to one can lead to rigid thinking. This is not only excellent advice on keeping your mind flexible, but also on acceptance of others’ cultures and ideas.
#6: Inner Strength “Avatar Day”
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Zuko and Iroh go through some dire straits after failing to capture Aang. After Zuko robs to feed and enrich them, Iroh tells his nephew that honor can be found in poverty. Although Zuko claims the only way he’ll have honor again is by capturing the Avatar, Iroh suggests that even that might not solve their problems. When the young man despairs, Iroh warns him against giving up hope, claiming that during the worst times, we should give hope to ourselves – that’s what having inner strength means. Words of wisdom for anyone who’s faced a rough patch, which is pretty much everyone.
#5: A Little Help From Others “The Tales of Ba Sing Se”
During Iroh’s “Tale of Ba Sing Se,” he’s nearly mugged. Being the chill guy that Iroh is, he gives his mugger pointers on his stance after disarming him, before making him tea and lending him words of encouragement over his desired career of being a masseuse. When the man expresses wonder that a stranger actually believes in him, Iroh tells him that belief in oneself is important, though help from others is also important. Self-positivity and helping others – if that isn’t Iroh in a nutshell, we don’t know what is!
#4: Look for the Light “A New Spiritual Age”
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Death and a new show couldn’t stop Iroh from dispensing wisdom. When Korra becomes lost in the Spirit World and regresses to her younger self, Iroh happens upon her and invites her to a tea party with his spirit friends. However, Korra’s negativity impacts the spirits around her, leading them to become feral and aggressive. Thankfully, the power of positive thinking changes them back. Iroh tells her that even in the human world, looking for the light can lead you to find it, but pursuing darkness will make darkness all you ever see. His quote a little later on about our inner light being able to change the world is also pretty good.
#3: Leaves From the Vine “The Tales of Ba Sing Se”
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For as positive and encouraging as he is, Iroh still has a deep personal tragedy – the loss of his son, Lu Ten. When Iroh was still a general, his son died during his attempt to conquer Ba Sing Se. His return to the city brings up his memories of the event, and on Lu Ten’s birthday, Iroh sets out a tribute to him on a hill beneath a tree; expressing his regret at not being able to save his son and singing the song “Leaves from the Vine.” This is more of a song than a quote, but it’s still worthy of mention, if only for how much it makes us cry!
#2: Look Inward “Lake Laogai”
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One of the constants of Iroh and Zuko’s relationship is Iroh encouraging his nephew to pursue his own destiny. While a certain flashback scene illustrates this pretty well, arguably this is the most powerful example of this advice. When Zuko discovers the location of Appa, Aang’s missing bison, he pursues the imprisoned bison, hopeful that it will lead him closer to what he thinks is his purpose – to capture the Avatar and regain his father’s approval. But Iroh confronts him, chastising him for not having a plan and urging him not to listen to what others have told him he should do, but to ask himself who he is and what he wants. Self-reflection is crucial to self-improvement and self-empowerment and Iroh nails it here. Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Life’s True Delights, “The Chase” Tea and Good Company Proper Aging, “The Crossroads of Destiny” Wisdom and Flavor Take Time Help Someone Else, “A New Spiritual Age” Karma is as Karma Does Pride, “Bitter Work” This Explains a Lot About Zuko Vast Ocean, “Bitter Work” Only the Truly Wise Can Laugh at Themselves…or Be This Funny!
#1: Dark Tunnel “The Crossroads of Destiny”
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Iroh’s chat with Aang while going to rescue Zuko and Katara may not be long, but it contains this nugget of wisdom as well. After Aang shares his difficulties with the Avatar state with Iroh, he tells him that he doesn’t have all the answers and life can be like the dark tunnel they’re in. You may not always be able to see the light, but moving forward will bring you to somewhere better. And after everything Iroh’s gone through, you know he’s speaking from personal experience. Persistence in the face of adversity is a powerful skill if you can develop it.
