Be Eunuch: Lord Varys' 10 Most Prolific Quotes

Summary

• Varys’ quotes reveal his true nature and motives in Game of Thrones.
• His insights on power, influence, and loyalty shape key relationships.
• Varys’ selflessness and honor shine through in his final sacrifice.

Game of Thrones had no shortage of incredible quotes over the years, but many of the best came from Lord Varys. Brilliantly portrayed by Conleth Hill, Varys was the Master of Whispers in King’s Landing, always aware of the biggest secrets in Westeros. Though the eunuch was dismissed by many of the more physically powerful characters around him, his quotes reveal a great deal about the true nature of his often ambiguous character and how he plays the game of thrones so well.

Varys’ own words also provided tremendous insight into key relationships with other characters, like Tyrion Lannister, Littlefinger, and Daenerys Targaryen, and how he helped them or schemed against them amid the violent grab for power in Game of Thrones. Throughout the entire series, there was always a certain consistency to Varys and his motives. Though he kept things close to his chest, he also proved to have a lot of insight into how the dangerous world really works.

“It Was Your Mercy That Killed The King.”

Season 1, Episode 8 – “The Pointy End”

Ned Stark did not trust many people in King’s Landing, and Varys was no exception. The noble Lord of Winterfell found spying and secrets to be a cowardly way to fight enemies. However, after Ned is imprisoned following the death of Robert Baratheon, Varys proves himself Ned’s last friend in King’s Landing, visiting him in his cell and trying to make him understand the situation he is in. Varys also didn’t mince words about Ned Stark’s mistakes.

Varys points out that Ned was foolish for telling Cersei Lannister that he knows her children are not Robert’s children. However, Ned points out that he was trying to have mercy on Cersei, giving her the chance to flee before Robert learned the truth. Varys simply points out that acts of mercy have no place in this game and it gave Cersei the opportunity to kill Robert. It is an important quote to highlight Ned’s mistakes while also speaking to the audience about the price of honor in Westeros.

Varys made his first appearance in Season 1, Episode 2, “Lord Snow”.

“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.”

Season 2, Episode 3 – “What Is Dead May Never Die”

Among the rare friendships on Game of Thrones, the connection between Varys and Tyrion was one of the best, and provided some of the show’s best quotes. Shortly after Tyrion arrived in King’s Landing, Varys quickly realized that Tyrion could be a resourceful and like-minded ally in his rare pursuit of making Westeros a better place. Tyrion could play the game just as well as Varys, and play for the right reasons. Varys thus helped Tyrion deepen his understanding, showing him that power doesn’t come from who wears a crown on their head.

Power comes from the perception of the people, and shaping who they believe holds the real power, a tactic Varys and Tyrion would frequently use to their advantage. It also speaks to the underdog quality in both men. They are looked down on by those around them as being weak, but use their minds to outlast many great warriors. Indeed, this is part of the theme of Game of Thrones: finding power in unlikely people. It is an idea that leads to Game of Thrones‘ ending and Bran Stark being crowned as king.

“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…”

Season 3, Episode 4 – “And Now His Watch Is Ended”

Much of Varys’ power came from his extensive influence. From his little birds to an ever-growing pool of allies, Varys was always playing the long game. He seemed to know what was going on everywhere and had his hand in an endless string of plots. When revealing his origin story to Tyrion, Varys describes the sorcerer who maimed him years earlier. He then reveals to Tyrion that he has found that man and brought him to King’s Landing. With his act of personal vengeance, Varys demonstrated his unparalleled patience and extensive influence across the world.

At the moment it was delivered this quote applied to Varys locating the sorcerer so he could finally have his vengeance, but it could also work in the context of Daenerys Targaryen. Varys believed Daenerys was special and also used his extensive influence and resources to help her rise to power. Conleth Hill’s performance always nails the cryptic nature of Varys and the feeling that he could always be hiding more than he is letting on.

“Actually, I Rather Enjoy Him. But He Would See This Country Burn If He Could Be King Of The Ashes.”

Season 3, Episode 4 – “And Now His Watch Is Ended”

While the friendship Varys shares with Tyrion is a charming one, it is his relationship with Littlefinger that is the most entertaining on the show. At first, it seems as though these two share a friendly rivalry as the two men in Westeros who actually have all the knowledge. Then at times, it feels like they are battling each other on opposing sides of a war. With this memorable scene, Varys explains that the reality of the situation is a bit of both.

When speaking frankly to Olenna Tyrell, she suggests that Varys must truly despise Littlefinger if he is willing to work behind his back in this manner. Varys admits to actually enjoying Littlefinger’s company but acknowledges that his ambition is too dangerous to be left unchecked. It is the most effective explanation of Littlefinger’s character that exists in the series, highlighting his desire for power at all costs. It is also amusing that, while knowing how dangerous he is, Varys cannot help but admire Littlefinger as a fellow schemer.

Varys and Littlefinger share their final scene in Season 3, Episode 6, “The Climb”.

“Besides, The Absence Of Desire Leaves One Free To Do Other Things.”

Season 4, Episode 6 – “The Laws of Gods and Men”

There’s a great deal of subtext to be mined from Varys and Oberyn Martell’s conversation when the two men stand before the Iron Throne in season 4. Oberyn makes mention of the assumption that Varys was attracted to boys, but Varys corrects him by insisting that he does not have such desires for anyone, regardless of their gender. He points out that he sees the damage desire has done to Westeros and is happy not to have any part of it.

It is another insightful observation by Varys about the world they live in and the issues that continue to plague it. Indeed, it was the romance between Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark that ignited Robert’s Rebellion and cost countless lives. However, Varys finishes the quote by mentioning a lack of such desires allows him to focus on other things, before glancing at the Iron Throne. While Varys himself has never seemed to really have a desire for the throne himself, it does highlight how he has been able to maneuver behind the scenes while others were distracted.

“You Can Stay Here At Illyrio’s Palace And Drink Yourself To Death Or You Can Ride With Me To Meereen, Meet Daenerys Targaryen.”

Season 5, Episode 1 – “The Wars to Come”

After Tyrion killed his father Tywin, he was at his lowest point possible at the beginning of season 5. Despite joining Varys across the Narrow Sea to flee his crime, Tyrion is not the same ambitious political player he once was and Varys is not impressed with his depressed and destructive behavior, offering him some tough love. Showing how good of a friend he is, Varys forces Tyrion to make a choice to either give up or find purpose.

This push from Varys changed everything as he put Tyrion on a path to Daenerys, where Tyrion decided the world was worth fighting for and became her Hand. If not for Varys, Tyrion would never have been in such a position or mindset that allowed him to ultimately make the world a better place. Aside from it being a great moment for their friendship, it is a thrilling moment for fans as it is the first time Varys confirms that he is backing Daenerys for the Iron Throne.

“You Wish To Know Where My True Loyalties Lie? Not With Any King Or Queen, But With The People. ”

Season 7, Episode 2 – “Stormborn”

Given how Varys had betrayed and secretly undermined past monarchs he’d served, Daenerys was wise to question his loyalty. At that moment, Varys was more honest than any of the Game of Thrones kings and queens he served. He made it clear that he never was and never would be blindly loyal to any king or queen. His loyalties would always be to the people whose lives are saved or condemned by the actions of rulers.

Varys served Daenerys because he thought she would be best for the people, not because of any love or admiration he held for her as an individual, and not because of how it would advance his own career or power. That is an incredibly rare thing in Westeros, something that Varys stayed true to until the very end. Conleth Hill’s performance really sells the moment and showcases Varys’ bravery, willing to speak to the Mother of Dragons in a way few have before.

“Do Not Destroy The City You Came To Save. Do Not Become What You Have Always Struggled To Defeat.”

Season 8, Episode 4 – “The Last Of The Starks”

In many ways, Varys is one of the most tragic characters in Game of Thrones. He worked his whole life, seeing one dangerous or incompetent king after another, seeking to find someone he felt would make the world a better place if they ruled. Daenerys Targaryen seemed to be that person, someone who worked hard to save others and fought those who ruled the same way Varys’ past kings ruled. However, Varys has to watch in horror as his estimation of Daenerys is proven wrong.

Devastated to see Daenerys on the brink of becoming a worse version of the leaders he once conspired against, Varys fulfilled the promise he once made. He put a target on his back by questioning Daenerys and bluntly cautioning her in this way, but he stayed true to the promise he would remain loyal to the people, and not blindly loyal to her. It is a turning point that marks the end of Varys and a heartbreaking plea that he at least doesn’t live to see go ignored.

Conleth Hill originally auditioned to play Robert Baratheon.

“They Say, Every Time A Targaryen Is Born, The Gods Toss A Coin And The World Holds Its Breath.”

Season 8, Episode 5 – “The Bells”

Varys was not the first character in the books or the show to reference this quote, but the timing was most powerful in season 8, episode 5. Following the deaths of Jorah Mormont, Rhaegal, Missandei, and many of her Dothraki and Unsullied, Daenerys was at the precipice of breaking and becoming the Mad Queen. Though Daenerys’ villain turn in Game of Thrones is still controversial, Varys’ reaction to it offers some of the most compelling moments for the character.

Varys comes to Jon Snow in a desperate attempt to make him see reason and convince him that he is the one who should take the Iron Throne. While it is debatable if the superstition behind the Targaryens is warranted or not, this moment sees Varys confronted with the mistake he made in putting Daenerys on the path to the Iron Throne. He ignored the risks and decided to chance it, only to see it turn against him as he is confronted with the same reality as when he served the Mad King.

“I Hope I Deserve This. Truly, I Do. I Hope I’m Wrong. Goodbye, Old Friend.”

Season 8, Episode 5 – “The Bells”

Varys is always adamant that he is no hero, which he memorably tells Ned Stark back in season 1. Yet, even in death, Varys stands by his ideals. In his final moments, his greatest fear is not the loss of his own life, but that he helped doom Westeros to its worst dictator yet, and that he didn’t do enough, in the end, to try and stop it from happening. Varys hopes he is wrong, but is wise enough to know that is not the case.

His final words are powerful not only for himself, but also for Tyrion, as those words and Varys’ final sacrifice are essential to Tyrion making the difficult, yet essential choices that had to be made in the series finale. It also speaks volumes about Varys that he still respects Tyrion deeply and sees him as his truest friend, even though he easily could’ve been consumed by resentment in his final moments. Despite all his sneakiness and cunning, Varys ended up being one of the most selfless and honorable characters.