50+ Lord Varys Quotes: Most Memorable Dialogues from the Iconic GoT Character

Lord Varys’ quotes often reveal his cunning and strategic mindset in the world of Game of Thrones. As the Master of Whisperers, he holds valuable information and uses it to manipulate those in power, all while maintaining a mysterious and enigmatic persona.

Despite his lack of physical strength, his intelligence and ability to navigate political intrigue make him a formidable player in the game of thrones. Some of the most iconic Lord Varys quotes from the HBO series are listed below.

Best Lord Varys Quotes of All Time

Here are some of the best Lord Varys quotes from Game of Thrones to remember the Master of Whisperer:

• I hope I deserve this. Truly, I do. I hope I’m wrong.
• What have I told you, Martha?
• She’s his aunt.
• No, but Jon grew up in Winterfell. Is marrying your aunt common in the North? You know our queen better than I do. Do you think she wants to share the throne? She does not like to have her authority questioned.
• Well, then it’s not a secret anymore. It’s information. If a handful of people know now, hundreds will know soon.
• At least we’re already in a crypt.
• You overestimate our influence. Jon and Daenerys don’t want to listen to lonely old men.
• Of course, she does. Respect is how the young keep us at a distance, so we don’t remind them of an unpleasant truth.
• Nothing lasts.
• 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.
• I swear it, my queen.
• I would expect nothing less from the Mother of Dragons.
• The kind the realm needs.
• I’ll walk the rest of the way myself. I can’t go off on a secret mission in the company of the most famous dwarf in the city.
• You made a pact with fanatics.

• If you shaved your beard with a straight razor, you’d say the razor worked. That doesn’t mean it won’t cut your throat.
• 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.
• I am not a torturer. Though it so often is what people deserve. And it does provide answers. But they’re usually the wrong answers. My job is to find the right answers.
• I do not make dwarf jokes.
• She thinks you want to eat her baby. (to the woman): His Valyrian is terrible. He only wants to give you money, so your baby can eat.
• You walk like a rich person.
• You walk as though the paving stones were your personal property. I used to steal from people like you when I was a boy.
• People follow leaders and they will never follow us. They find us repulsive.
• And we find them…repulsive, which is why we surround ourselves with large comfortable boxes to keep them away. And yet… no matter what we do… people like you and me are never really satisfied inside the box. Not for long.
• I told you. A ruler.
• You are quite good, do you know? At ruling. During your brief tenure as Hand.
• Still, a man of talent.
• Yes, but you showed great promise in other areas as well.
• Yes, best be careful. You might accidentally consume some solid food.
• You have your father’s instincts for politics. And you have compassion.
• I never said you were perfect.
• Imp, Half-man. There are faster ways to kill yourself.
• You are many things, my friend, but not a coward.

• Sadly, my lord, I never forget a thing.
• But what do we have left once we abandon the lie? Chaos. A gaping pit waiting to swallow us all.
• Littlefinger is one of the most dangerous men in Westeros. If Robb Stark falls, Sansa Stark is the key to the North.
• Which seems such a shame. Why should a man with such a low reputation steal away such a lovely bride?
• Actually, I rather enjoy him. But he would see this country burn if he could be king of the ashes.
• 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.
• There are many who know that without you this city faced certain defeat. The King won’t give you any honors, and the histories won’t mention you, but we will not forget.
• A most highborn plumber.
• Three great men sit in a room. A king, a priest, and a rich man. Between them stands a common Sellsword. Each great man bids the Sellsword kill the other two. Who lives, who dies?
• Does it? He has neither crown nor gold nor favor with the Gods.
• You might be disappointed in the results. Storms come and go, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling.
• Have you? Do you spend a lot of time wondering what’s between my legs?
• 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?
• A man with great ambition and no morals… I wouldn’t bet against you.
• He started asking questions.

Lord Varys Quotes on Loyalty

Here are a couple of iconic Lord Varys quotes on loyalty from the show:

• 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. 
• 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 Quotes on Power

Check out these profound quotes by Lord Varys on power:

• Give us common folk one taste of power, we’re like the lion who tasted man. Nothing is ever so sweet again.
• 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.
• 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.
• But if it’s swordsmen who rule, why do we pretend Kings hold all the power? When Ned Stark lost his head, who was truly responsible? Joffrey? The executioner? Or something else?

Lord Varys Quotes on Being a Eunuch

Check out these couple of quotes by Lord Varys on living as a Eunuch:

• Why is it that no one ever trusts the eunuch?
• You take great offense at dwarf jokes but love telling eunuch jokes. Why is that?

About the Character – Lord Varys

Lord Varys, the enigmatic Master of Whisperers, is a figure shrouded in an aura of intrigue and mystery, like a spider spinning its intricate web.

His cunning mind is honed to perfection by years of navigating the dangerous waters of the Seven Kingdoms, always staying ahead of his enemies with the help of his vast network of spies and informants.

A master of the art of manipulation, Lord Varys weaves his way through the complex political landscape with deftness and precision, his every move calculated to gain more power and influence.

His words, like honeyed poison, can sway even the most stubborn of minds, and his secrets are the deadliest weapons in his arsenal.

Yet, despite his reputation as a conniving and ruthless operator, Lord Varys remains a fascinating enigma, a man with a past that few know and a future that is impossible to predict.

His loyalty to the realm is unquestionable, but his true motives are known only to himself like a secret whispered in the shadows.

About the Actor – Conleth Hill

Conleth Seamus Eoin Croiston Hill, a talented actor hailing from Northern Ireland, has graced the stage with his electrifying performances in various productions across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and the United States.

His remarkable prowess has earned him two prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards and two Tony Award nominations. After an impressive stage career in productions across the globe, Conleth Hill made his Broadway debut with his captivating performance in Marie Jones’ Stones in His Pockets.

He further proved his mettle in the Canadian production of the same play, for which he was awarded the prestigious Dora Mavor Moore Award. Hill’s exceptional acting abilities were further showcased in the television adaptation of Goodbye, Mr. Chips (2002), where he delivered a memorable portrayal of the German professor Max Staefel.

He also exhibited his comedic flair in Peter Kay’s Britain’s Got the Pop Factor… and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice, where he played “Mum” to Peter Kay’s character, Geraldine McQueen.

This television spoof on the talent show genre of programs won Hill further acclaim. In the television series Suits, Hill shared the screen with fellow Game of Thrones cast member Michelle Fairley, playing the role of Edward Darby.

His nuanced and captivating performance as Darby once again proved his exceptional range and versatility as an actor. Despite his impressive accomplishments, Hill is most renowned for his portrayal of the enigmatic and cunning Lord Varys in the critically acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones.

With his distinct voice and striking demeanor, Hill breathed life into the character of Varys, leaving an indelible mark on the series and capturing the hearts of millions of viewers worldwide.

Difference Between Lord Varys in the Books and the Show

The differences in values, motivations, and actions of the book and show versions of Varys in Game of Thrones are pronounced. Although both versions are willing to switch sides, they diverge in their beliefs regarding the rule of the Iron Throne.

The show prioritizes selecting a competent leader, irrespective of lineage, while the book maintains that only a Targaryen can rule. In the show, Varys is depicted as having a stronger sense of morality, avoiding senseless violence and cruelty, and preferring to manipulate opponents rather than harm them.

Conversely, in the books, he is ruthless and pragmatic, killing Pycelle and Kevan Lannister to achieve his goals. In the books, Varys uses disguises and costumes to take on different identities, but the show avoids exploring this aspect to keep the plot simple.

Varys’s use of disguises and costumes adds a surreal element to his character in the books, which may not translate well on screen. The show omits Varys’s involvement in Robert’s Rebellion, including his role in rescuing Prince Aegon Targaryen and smuggling him across the Narrow Sea.

This event could significantly impact the book’s plot, as Prince Aegon has a stronger claim to the Iron Throne than Daenerys. However, the show disregards this storyline to focus on the conflict between Jon and Dany.

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