40 'Princess Mononoke' Quotes to Kindle the Flames of Your Dormant Eco-Warrior

Director, writer, and animator Hayao Miyazaki released the film, "Princess Mononoke," in the late 1990s. The anime explores a theme that is still prevalent, if not more so today; the exploitation of nature through the lens of not only humans but nature itself. Read these 40 quotes to find out more.

"Princess Mononoke" is a popular animation film released in 1997, starring protagonist Ashitaka. In his quest for a cure from a god named Shishigami, he finds himself in the middle of a conflict between the forest gods and humans.

The humans are particularly struggling with a "wolf girl," intent on halting their efforts to cut down the forest to produce coal. Princess Mononoke, or San, is a human raised by a wolf spirit called Mono and holds a vitriolic hatred toward other humans. Taking on a huge task, Ashitaka attempts to act as a peacekeeper between the two sides.

Read the following 40 quotes from Ashitaka, San, and many more characters in this enthralling film.

Princess Mononoke/San’s quote: "I hate him! I hate all humans!" | Image: AmoDays

Princess Mononoke/San's Quotes

"Ugh, I smell like a human." — Princess Mononoke/San

"Even if all the trees grow back, it won't be his forest anymore. The Forest Spirit is dead." — Princess Mononoke/San

"Why did you stop me from killing her? Tell me while you're still alive!" — Princess Mononoke/San

"Stop it! I'm a wolf, you hear?" — Princess Mononoke/San

"I'm not afraid to die, and I'd do anything to get humans out of my forest." — Princess Mononoke/San

Princess Mononoke/San’s quote: "Even if all the trees grow back, it won't be his forest anymore. The Forest Spirit is dead." | Image: AmoDays

"All these years, you've defended the Forest Spirit! He must save you!" — Princess Mononoke/San

"Quiet! Watch what you say, you filthy pig!" — Princess Mononoke/San

"I hate him! I hate all humans!" — Princess Mononoke/San

Prince Ashitaka's Quotes

"Well, they say that happy women make a happy village." — Prince Ashitaka

"I knew that... from the first moment I saw you." — Prince Ashitaka

Prince Ashitaka’s quote: "To see with eyes unclouded by hate." | Image: AmoDays

"Look, everyone! This is what hatred looks like! This is what it does when it catches hold of you! It's eating me alive…" — Prince Ashitaka

"You're beautiful." — Prince Ashitaka

"What I want is for the humans and the forest to live in peace!" — Prince Ashitaka

"Yes, I'm human, San. And so are you." — Prince Ashitaka

"It feels like I must have been asleep for weeks. I had a dream that San was by my side, nursing me." — Prince Ashitaka

Prince Ashitaka’s quote: "Look, everyone! This is what hatred looks like! This is what it does when it catches hold of you! It's eating me alive…" | Image: AmoDays

"Never. He is life itself. He isn't dead, San. He is here with us now, telling us it's time for both of us to live." — Prince Ashitaka

"I didn't want them to kill you. That's why." — Prince Ashitaka

"To see with eyes unclouded by hate." — Prince Ashitaka

Lady Eboshi's Quotes

"I can deal with forest Gods; it's humans I'm worried about… Remember, you can't trust men." — Lady Eboshi

"Cut off a wolf's head, and it still has the power to bite." — Lady Eboshi

Lady Eboshi’s quote: "I'm going to show you how to kill a god. A god of life and death. The trick is not to fear him." | Image: AmoDays

"This is my garden. None of the townspeople dare to come here." — Lady Eboshi

"What exactly are you here for?" — Lady Eboshi

"The legends say the blood of the Great Forest Spirit can heal anything." — Lady Eboshi

"I'm going to show you how to kill a god. A god of life and death. The trick is not to fear him." — Lady Eboshi

Moro’s Quotes

"I caught her human parents defiling my forest. They threw their baby at my feet as they ran away. Instead of eating her, I raised her as my own." — Moro

Moro’s quote: "The Forest Spirit gives life and takes life away. Life and death are his alone." | Image: AmoDays

"The trees cry out as they die, but you cannot hear them. I lie here. I listen to the pain of the forest." — Moro

"I was hoping you'd cry out in your sleep. Then I would have bitten your head off to silence you." — Moro

"The Forest Spirit gives life and takes life away. Life and death are his alone." — Moro

"Now, my poor, ugly, beautiful daughter is neither human nor wolf." — Moro

"I dream of the day I will finally crunch that gun woman's head in my jaws." — Moro

Quotes from Whispers in the Forest

Hokuto's quote: "I do not ask the help of the Wolf Tribe. Even if every one of us dies, it will be a battle the humans never forget." | Image: AmoDays

"In ancient times, the land lay covered in forests, where, from ages long past, dwelt the spirits of the gods. Back then, man and beast lived in harmony, but as time went by, most of the great forests were destroyed. Those that remained were guarded by gigantic beasts who owed their allegiances to the Great Forest Spirit. For those were the days of gods and of demons..." — The Narrator

"You cannot change fate. However, you can rise to meet it if you so choose." — Hii-sama

"When you're going to kill a god, let someone else do your dirty work." — Jigo

"I do not ask the help of the Wolf Tribe. Even if every one of us dies, it will be a battle the humans never forget." — Hokuto

Osa’s quote: "Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed, but still, you find reasons to keep living." | Image: AmoDays

"I wish the wolves had eaten you! Then maybe I could've found a real husband." — Toki

"You see, everyone wants everything — that's the way the world is. But I just might actually get it." — Jigo

Toki’s quote: "I wish the wolves had eaten you! Then maybe I could've found a real husband." | Image: AmoDays

"I believe you. And I thank you for it, young one. I am only greaved and ashamed that such a demon has come from our tribe." — Hokuto

"Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed, but still, you find reasons to keep living." — Osa

"These days, there are angry ghosts all around us — dead from wars, sickness, starvation — and nobody cares. So you say you're under a curse? Well, so what. So's the whole damn world." — Jigo

Jigo’s quote: "You see, everyone wants everything — that's the way the world is. But I just might actually get it." | Image: AmoDays

This movie has won 14 awards and gained seven nominations. However, it is by far not the only film created by Hayao Miyazaki and his co-founded animation company, Studio Ghibli, which is now partially owned by Disney.

Miyazaki was significant, if not central, to the creation of numerous iconic anime movies such as "My Neighbor Totoro," "Howls Moving Castle," and the wildly popular "Spirited Away," which won an Academy Award. His movies mainly aim at children, although "Princess Mononoke" portrays much more graphic violence than his other films.

As many of his fans know, Miyazaki has a penchant for retiring and then unretiring. His last retirement occurred in 2018, but then he decided to come out of retirement soon after to create a two-hour feature film.

To continue down the anime rabbit hole, read these Eren Jaeger quotes from "Attack on Titan."