As the Master of Whisperers in “Game of Thrones”, Lord Varys is known for his insightful, oftentimes cryptic statements that hint at his deep understanding of the game of power. A eunuch from Essos, Varys has risen to a position of influence through his intelligence, cunning, and vast network of informants. His intriguing dialogue offers a wealth of thought-provoking and memorable quotes. Here are some of his most notable lines:
Lord Varys Quotes
1. “I hope I deserve this. Truly, I do. I hope I’m wrong.” -Lord Varys
2. “At least we’re already in a crypt.” -Lord Varys
3.” Give us common folk one taste of power, we’re like the lion who tasted man. Nothing is ever so sweet again.” – Lord Varys (to Melisandre)
4. “I found the traitors, but I wasn’t the one burning them alive. I was only a purveyor of information. It’s what I told myself when I watched them beg for mercy… I’m not the one doing it. When the pitch of their screams rose higher… I’m not the one doing it. When their hair caught fire and the smell of their burning flesh filled the throne room… I’m not the one doing it. ” – Lord Varys (to Tyrion)
5. ” You wish to know where my true loyalties lie? Not with any king or queen, but with the people. The people who suffer under despots and prosper under just rule. The people whose hearts you aim to win. If you demand blind allegiance, I respect your wishes. Grey Worm can behead me or your dragons can devour me. But if you let me live, I will serve you well. I will dedicate myself to seeing you on the Iron Throne because I choose you. Because I know the people have no better chance than you.” – Lord Varys (to Daenerys)
6. ” I suppose it’s hard for a fanatic to admit a mistake. Isn’t that the whole point of being a fanatic? Everything is the Lord’s will.” –Lord Varys (to Kinvara)
7. “Tyrion Lannister is one of the few people alive who could make this country a better place. He has the mind for it, he has the will, he has the right last name. And you… you are a complication.”-Lord Varys (to Shae)
8. “I still dream of that night. Not of the sorcerer, not of his blade. I dream of the voice from the flames. Was it a god? A demon? A conjuror’s trick? I don’t know. But the sorcerer called and a voice answered. And ever since that day, I have hated magic and all those who practice it. But you can see why I was eager to aid in your fight against Stannis and his Red Priestess. A symbolic revenge of sorts.” –Lord Varys
9. “There are many who know that without you this city faced certain defeat. The King won’t give you any honors, the histories won’t mention you, but we will not forget.” –Lord Varys (to Tyrion)
10. “The dark arts have provided Lord Stannis with his armies and paved his path to our door. For a man in service to such powers to sit on the Iron Throne, I can think of nothing worse. And tonight, I believe you are the only man who can stop him.” –Varys (to Tyrion)
11. “They say, every time a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin and the world holds its breath.”-Lord Varys
12. “Do not destroy the city you came to save. Do not become what you have always struggled to defeat.”-Lord Varys
13. “It was your mercy that killed the king.”-Lord Varys
14. “You can stay here at Illyrio’s palace and drink yourself to death or you can ride with me to Meereen, meet Daenerys Targaryen”-Lord Varys
15. “Besides, the absence of desire leads one free to do other things.”-Lord Varys
16. “Actually, I rather enjoy him. But he would see this country burn if he could be king of the ashes.”-Lord Varys
17. “Influence grows like a weed. I tended mine patiently until its tendrils reached from the Red Keep, all the way across to the far side of the world …”-Lord Varys
18. “Power resides where men believe it resides. It’s a trick. A shadow on the wall. And a very small man can cast a very large shadow.”-Lord Varys
19. “The contents of a man’s letters are more valuable than the contents of his purse.”-Lord Varys
20. “Varys: When you imagine yourself up there, how do you look? Does the crown fit? Do all the lords and ladies simper and bow, the ones who sneered at you for years?
Petyr Baelish: It’s hard for them to simper and bow without heads.
Varys: A man with great ambition and no morals… I wouldn’t bet against you.”
More Lord Varys Quotes Meanings
- On Power: “Power resides where men believe it resides. It’s a trick, a shadow on the wall.” Perhaps Varys’s most famous quote, this statement encapsulates his understanding of power as a construct, subject to perception and belief. He shares this wisdom with Tyrion Lannister, demonstrating his nuanced perspective on the volatile power dynamics of Westeros.
- On Loyalty: “I’ve always hated the bells. They ring for horror. A dead king, a city under siege… a wedding.” This quote showcases Varys’s sardonic wit, referencing the perilous nature of Westerosi politics where alliances sealed by marriage often lead to disaster. It highlights his ability to remain detached and observant amid dangerous political games.
- On Self-Preservation: “Storms come and go, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling.” This is Varys’s way of explaining his survival in the cutthroat environment of the Seven Kingdoms. By staying adaptable and not drawing attention to himself, Varys continues to ‘paddle’ on, navigating the stormy waters of politics.
- On Morality: “Why is it always the innocents who suffer most, when you high lords play your game of thrones?” With this line, Varys questions the morality of the power struggles among the nobles, which often result in the suffering of the common people. This speaks to his often-stated loyalty to “the realm,” and his interest in the welfare of the innocent.
- On Service: “I serve the realm, my lord. Someone must.” Here, Varys declares his motivations. While most characters in “Game of Thrones” are driven by personal ambition or loyalty to their house, Varys’s allegiance is to the realm itself — the stability and welfare of the Seven Kingdoms.
- On Secrets: “The storms come and go, the waves crash overhead, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling.” A testament to his role as the Master of Whisperers, this quote underlines Varys’s understanding of secrets as a source of power. His ability to ‘keep paddling’ through the chaos is facilitated by his knowledge and manipulation of these secrets.
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