57 Wise Uncle Iroh Quotes

Uncle Iroh from “Avatar: The Last Airbender” dropped wisdom to his nephew so often that audiences have adopted him as their own source of wisdom. To take some of that wisdom for ourselves, we’ve gathered 57 quotes on life from him.

Uncle Iroh is the brother of the Fire Lord and uncle to Prince Zuko in the animated series, "Avatar: The Last Airbender." He was once a great general and later became Zuko's traveling companion and counsel. Uncle Iroh is calm, wise, and spiritual. He understands the importance of balance and harmony.

Throughout the series, Uncle Iroh gives Prince Zuko a lot of wisdom as he sets off on a quest to restore the young prince's honor and birthright. Iroh acts as a mentor who seeks to help his nephew become a better person than his father. We’ve chosen 57 quotes from the wise uncle to help improve our own lives.

Uncle Iroh's quote: “You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts.” | Image: Amodays

WISE UNCLE IROH QUOTES

“It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale.” — Iroh

“Perfection and power are overrated. I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love.” — Iroh

“You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts.” — Iroh

“Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time, more wisely.” — Iroh

“Protection and power are overrated. I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love.” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale.” | Image: AmoDays

“Evil and good are always at war inside you, Zuko. It is in your nature, your legacy. But there is a bright side. What happened generations ago can be resolved now, by you.” — Iroh

“You are stronger and wiser and freer than you ever used to be. And now you have come at the crossroads of destiny. It's time for you to choose.” — Iroh

“If you’re fishing for an octopus, my nephew, you need a tightly woven net, or he will squeeze through the tiniest hole and escape.” — Iroh

“Never forget who you are, for surely the world won’t.” — Iroh

“The true mind can weather all lies and illusions without being lost. The true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed. From a beginningless time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light.” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “Perfection and power are overrated. I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love.” | Image: AmoDays

UNCLE IROH QUOTES ABOUT LIFE

“There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest you think about what it is that you want from your life and why.” — Iroh

“Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not.” — Iroh

“A man needs his rest.” — Iroh

“Good times become good memories, but bad times make good lessons.” — Iroh

“Is it your own destiny? Or is it a destiny someone else has tried to force on you?” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest you think about what it is that you want from your life and why.” | Image: AmoDays

“It’s a lovely night for a walk. Why don’t you join me? It would clear your head.” — Iroh

“You struggled. You suffered. But you have always followed your own path.” — Iroh

“We have a chance for a new life here. If you start stirring up trouble, we could lose all the good things that are happening for us.” — Iroh

“Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring.” — Iroh

“Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving... you will come to a better place.” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not.” | Image: AmoDays

“At my age, there is only one big surprise left, and I'd just as soon leave it a mystery.” — Iroh

“It is time for you to look inward, and start asking yourself the big questions.” — Iroh

“Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame.” — Iroh

UNCLE IROH QUOTES ABOUT GIVING AND RECEIVING HELP

“While it is always best to believe in oneself, a little help from others can be a great blessing.” — Iroh

“You sound like my nephew, always thinking that you need to do things on your own without anyone’s support. There is nothing wrong with letting people who love you help you.” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “A man needs his rest.” | Image: AmoDays

“There is nothing wrong with letting people who love you, help you. Not that I love you. I just met you.” — Iroh

“Sometimes, the best way to solve your own problems is to help someone else.” — Iroh

UNCLE IROH QUOTES TO GIVE YOU HOPE

“In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength.” — Iroh

“Destiny is a funny thing. You never know how things are going to work out. But if you keep an open mind and an open heart, I promise you will find your own destiny someday.” — Iroh

“When you're in your darkest place, you give yourself hope, and that's inner strength.” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “At my age, there is only one big surprise left, and I'd just as soon leave it a mystery.” | Image: AmoDays

UNCLE IROH QUOTES ABOUT FIREBENDING

“Power in firebending comes from the breath, not the muscle!” — Iroh

“Lightning is a pure expression of firebending without aggression. It is not fueled by rage or emotion the way other firebending is. Some call lightning the cold-blooded fire.” — Iroh

“A brother killing a brother to grab power. The only way for this to end peacefully is for the Avatar to defeat the Firelord.” — Iroh

“Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want.” — Iroh

“There is energy all around us. The energy is both yin and yang — positive energy and a negative energy. Only a select few Firebenders can separate these energies.” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “It is time for you to look inward, and start asking yourself the big questions.” | Image: AmoDays

FUNNY UNCLE IROH QUOTES

“You’re looking at the rare white dragon bush. Its leaves make a tea so delicious it’s heartbreaking! That, or it’s the white jade bush, which is poisonous.” — Iroh

“Who would have thought that, after all these years, I would return to the scene of my greatest military disgrace…as a tourist!” — Iroh

“Zuko, it’s time we had a talk…about your hair. It’s gone too far!” — Iroh

“Who knew floating on a piece of driftwood for three weeks, with no food or water, and sea vultures waiting to pluck out your liver, could make one so tense!” — Iroh

“The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns, and they found peace and freedom. And they apparently had great senses of humor.” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “While it is always best to believe in oneself, a little help from others can be a great blessing.” | Image: AmoDays

UNCLE IROH QUOTES ABOUT ABOUT TEA

“You should know this is not a natural sickness. But that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying tea.” — Iroh

“More tea, please!” — Iroh

“So I was thinking about names for my new tea shop… how about… the Jasmine Dragon? It’s dramatic, poetic… has a nice ring to it.” — Iroh

“So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat? Disgraceful... Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious.” — Iroh

“Sick of tea? That’s like being sick of breathing!” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “You should know this is not a natural sickness. But that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying tea.” | Image: AmoDays

“Ick! This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!” — Iroh

“I know you’re not supposed to cry over spilled tea, but it’s just so sad!” — Iroh

“Delectable tea or deadly poison.” — Iroh

“Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life’s true delights.” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “More tea, please!” | Image: AmoDays

OTHER UNCLE IROH QUOTES TO ENJOY

“Little soldier boy comes marching home.” — Iroh

“Someone new must take the throne. An idealist with a pure heart, and unquestionable honor.” — Iroh

“I was never angry with you. I was sad because I was afraid you’d lose your way.” — Iroh

“It is usually best to admit mistakes when they occur, and to seek to restore honor.” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “Who would have thought that, after all these years, I would return to the scene of my greatest military disgrace…as a tourist!” | Image: AmoDays

“The coin is appreciated…but not as much as your smile.” — Iroh

“Understanding others, the other elements, the other nations, will help you become whole.” — Iroh

“Leaves from the vine, Falling so slow, like fragile, tiny shells, drifting in the foam.” — Iroh

Iroh's quote: “The coin is appreciated…but not as much as your smile.” | Image: AmoDays

Iroh is a wholesome and wise character who has reformed from his violent ways and gives the rest of the characters advice whenever they need it. He finds it in his heart to be as kind as he can to basically everyone he meets.

Uncle Iroh’s influence is also clear on Zuko’s development. Zuko eventually becomes a softer character and realizes the error of his ways in the past. Finally, his wisdom is certainly universal because it can help any of us regardless of what quests we are on.

If you gleaned some wisdom from Uncle Iroh, you'll love this compilation from your favorite superheroes that may unleash your superpowers.