Once Upon A Time: The 10 Most Memorable Quotes | ScreenRant
All fairy tales feature wisdom that the audience can take away from them. Once Upon A Time takes this to heart by imbuing wisdom in their unique spin on classic fairy tale and Disney characters. Throughout the show's seven-season run, many of the characters have thought-provoking lines, many of which align with the show's messages about hope, love, and redemption.
The series also features many quotes that will forever remind fans of its most distinctive characters. This includes the wise words of characters like Snow White, but also the more foreboding lines from the show's best villains. Check out these 10 memorable quotes from Once Upon A Time.
10 "You Can't Let Fear Of Failure Keep You From Trying."
When Snow finds Hercules in the Underworld, he has lost all hope and is scared to face Cerberus. Snow reminds him of this important lesson that he shared with her all of those years ago.
This quote is consistent with the overarching and empowering themes of Once Upon A Time. The show emphasizes redemption and happy endings are possible, but one has to try, fail, and learn from mistakes in order to make these outcomes a reality.
9 "It's Dangerous To Confuse Justice With Vengeance."
Mulan says this to Princess Aurora, but the quote is applicable to numerous characters in the show. No one ever thinks that they are the villain of their own story. Most of Once Upon A Time's villains believe they are seeking justice for the ways they've been wronged.
The problem is that these villains confuse justice with vengeance. They go too far, hurt too many people, and become blinded by revenge. There's a fine line and it's a slippery slope as individuals do ruthless and selfish things in the name of "justice."
8 "That's How You Know You've Really Got A Home. 'Cause When You Leave It ...There's This Feeling You Can't Shake. You Just Miss It."
A flashback in the season 3 finale shows a touching scene early on in Emma and Neal's relationship. He talks about what a home really is and it becomes clear that a true home is defined by a sense of belonging and the people who are there.
Emma and Neal feel that with one another and it is what brings them together after spending years of feeling like they never belonged anywhere. It is how Emma eventually realizes that her true home is Storybrooke because of the people who love her and make her feel like she belongs. It's not the location that a person misses, but the sense of belonging and the people there.
7 "No Matter How Powerful, All Curses Can Be Broken."
In order to figure out what she did wrong when trying to cast the Dark Curse, Regina visits the imprisoned Rumplestiltskin. Even though he is no longer her teacher anymore, he continues to drop wisdom on her such as this line.
This is one of the most important quotes in the show. It not only reminds the audience that all curses can be broken, but also that nothing is as permanent or finite as it seems. Rumplestiltskin knows this and takes advantage of this fact on multiple occasions. Other characters eventually embrace this idea, as they realize there is almost always a way to overcome adversity and find a solution.
6 "I Shall Destroy Your Happiness, If It Is The Last Thing I Do."
Regina makes this bold and menacing declaration when she bursts into Snow White and Prince Charming's wedding. It occurs during one of the show's first flashbacks in the pilot episode, and it is how viewers are introduced to Regina as the Evil Queen.
This memorable and threatening entrance cements her as the show's first major antagonist. Considering how much Regina grows as a character, it is intriguing to look back at the first impression she gave viewers. She sells the idea that she is a ruthless villain swearing to destroy a couple's happiness on their wedding day, but little do fans know that there is so much more to Regina and her story.
5 "Love Is Weakness."
This quote contradicts the show's emphasis on the power and resiliency of true love. That's part of what makes this blunt, cynical statement so memorable. Cora is one of the show's most formidable and cunning villains. Her belief about love being weakness drives many of her actions and her cutthroat quest for power.
She even removes her own heart from her body because of her belief about how love makes her vulnerable. The end of Cora's story proves that she is wrong about love being a weakness, but that doesn't make the quote any less memorable.
4 "Sometimes The Best Teacup Is Chipped."
When Belle is first in Rumplestiltskin's service, she accidentally knocks over one of his teacups and it becomes chipped. This imperfect teacup becomes representative of the unlikely and imperfect relationship that forms between them. The relationship is flawed, but despite all appearances and problems they encounter along the way, the relationship works in the end.
The teacup is a recurring symbol and reference to their relationship throughout the series. It is only fitting that Belle refers to it when sharing her vows on their wedding day.
3 "Wicked Always Wins."
Even though she isn't introduced until the third season, Zelena becomes one of the show's most unforgettable villains and one of the show's most compelling characters. "Wicked always wins" is one of her first lines and immediately exudes an air of confidence and style that is unique to her.
The line also sticks with fans because it is the title of Zelena's song during the musical episode in the show's sixth season. "Wicked Always Wins" is arguably the best song in the musical episode and the one that feels most natural to the character who sings it.
2 "I Will Always Find You."
Snow White and Prince Charming say this quote to one another multiple times throughout the series, with other members of their family even saying it on occasion. Taken out of context, this line may sound creepy or menacing, but in Once Upon A Time, it has to do with the idea that when people truly love each other, they will always find a way to reunite and be together.
No matter how many times they're cursed, lose their memories, or find themselves trapped in different realms, Snow and Charming always find a way back to each other as nothing can stand in the way of their love.
1 "All Magic Comes With A Price."
Rumplestiltskin's line about magic is the most iconic in the show. The magic in Once Upon A Time is highly transactional. In order to gain something, the magic-user must also be willing to lose something and vice versa. Powerful magic never comes freely as there is always a price to pay.
The line is representative of Rumplestiltskin's penchant for making deals and exploiting loopholes. It's also a reminder that nothing in life comes freely, a concept that helps the show's magic system feel more grounded and consequential.