The 30+ Best Saruman Quotes & Lines from Lord of the Rings

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While Gandalf might be the most famous wizard of all time (apart from Dumbledore or Merlin), an honorable mention has to also go to Saruman the white.

Originally the leader of the group of Istar (including Gandalf) he ultimately turned his back on the White Council, as he came to desire the One Ring for himself. The character of Saruman will probably always remain as an excellent example of how desire for power can lead even the best down the path of corruption and betrayal.

He also had some great lines along the way, and we can only imagine how fun it must be for an actor like Christopher Lee to play such a sinister ‘baddie’. We’ve collated all the best Saruman quotes here, so you can practise your own ‘evil wizard’ act, or just have fun creeping out your friends!

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Want more Lord of the Rings quotes? Check these out:

The Most Iconic and Well-Known Saruman Quotes

Brilliantly brought to life by Christopher Lee, most of Saruman’s most popular and well-known lines are so good because of his excellent delivery. These are the most iconic Saruman quotes, that we love trying to use in real life or memes whenever we can!

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“[to Gandalf] So you have chosen… death.” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“[to Gandalf] I gave you the chance of aiding me willingly, but you have elected the way of pain!” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“[to Gandalf] Against the power of Mordor there can be no victory.” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“We have only to remove those who oppose us.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Save your pity and your mercy; I have no use for it!” The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition)

The Best Funny Saruman Quotes

Saruman is mostly pretty serious (and grumpy) but he does have occasional amusing lines, whether he meant them that way or not. These are our favorite funny lines by Saruman.

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“[to Gandalf] Always you must meddle, looking for trouble when none exist…” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

“Saruman: Radagast? Do not speak to me of Radagast the Brown. He is a foolish fellow.
Gandalf: Well, he’s odd, I’ll grant you. He lives a solitary life…
Saruman: It’s not that. It’s his excessive consumption of mushrooms! They’ve addled his brain and yellowed his teeth!” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

“[to Galadriel] Are you in need of assistance, my lady?” The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

“[to Gandalf] Your love of the Halfings’ leaf has clearly slowed your mind.” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“Gibbits and crows! DOTARD! What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess. The key of Orthanc? Or perhaps the keys of Barad-Dur itself? Along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the five wizards?” The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition)

The Best Ironic Saruman Quotes

We’re going to go with calling these Saruman quotes ironic, because most of them came from The Hobbit films where viewers know that everything Saruman says about Sauron being gone is not really true. They’re also ironic since we know that ultimately, Saruman isn’t going to stay on the side of the light…

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“Galadriel: The dragon has long been on your mind.
Gandalf: This is true, my lady. Smaug owes allegiance to no one, but if he should side with the Enemy… A dragon could be used to terrible effect.
Saruman: What enemy? Gandalf, the Enemy is defeated. Sauron is vanquished. He can never regain his full strength.” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

“Gandalf: They speak of a Necromancer living in Dol Guldur, a sorcerer who could summon the dead.
Saruman: That’s absurd. No such power exists in this world. This “Necromancer” is nothing more than a mortal man, a conjurer dabbling in black magic.” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

“Without the Ruling Ring of Power, the Seven are no value to the Enemy. To control the other Rings, he needs the One. And that Ring was lost long, long ago. It was swept out to sea by the waters of the Anduin.” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

“Saruman: What proof do we have this weapon came from Angmar’s grave?
Gandalf: I can find none.
Saruman: Because there IS none! Let us examine what we know: A single Orc pack has dared to cross the Bruinen, a dagger from a bygone age has been found and a human sorcerer who calls himself the Necromancer has taken up residence in a ruined fortress. It’s not so very much. After all, the question of this Dwarvish company, however, troubles me deeply. I’m not convinced, Gandalf. I do not feel I can condone such a quest. If they had come to me, I might have spared them from this disappointment…
Galadriel: [telepathically to Gandalf while Saruman talks] They are leaving.
Gandalf: Yes.
Galadriel: [smiles] You knew.” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

“Go now! Leave Sauron to me.” The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

“Gandalf: But we still have time. Time enough to counter Sauron if we act quickly.
Saruman: Time? What time do you think we have?” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Best Angry and/or Sinister Saruman Quotes

It’s hardly a spoiler anymore, but Saruman ultimately becomes a ‘baddie’ when he decides to team up with Sauron. Here are the best angry or sinister Saruman lines, where he displays his evil.

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“Saruman: The hour is later than you think. Sauron’s forces are already moving. The Nine have left Minas Morgul.
Gandalf: The Nine?
Saruman: They crossed the River Isen on Midsummer’s Eve, disguised as riders in black.
Gandalf: They’ve reached the Shire?
Saruman: They will find the Ring, and kill the one who carries it.” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“The power of Isengard is at your command, Sauron, Lord of the Earth.” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“Moria. You fear to go into those Mines. The Dwarves delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke in the darkness of Khazad-dûm. Shadow… and flame.” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“Hero Orc: The trees are strong, my lord. Their roots go deep.
Saruman: Rip them all down.” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“Saruman: Do you know how the Orcs first came into being? They were elves once, taken by the dark powers, tortured and mutilated. A ruined and terrible form of life. Now… perfected. My fighting Uruk-Hai. Whom do you serve?
Lurtz: Saruman!” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“[to the Uruk-hai hunting party] Hunt them down. Do not stop until they are found. You do not know pain, you do not know fear. You will taste man-flesh!” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“The world is changing. Who now has the strength to stand against the armies of Isengard… and Mordor? To stand against the might of Sauron and Saruman… and the union of the Two Towers? Together, my Lord Sauron, we shall rule this Middle-earth. The old world will burn in the fires of industry. Forests will fall. A new order will rise. We will drive the machine of war with the sword and the spear and the iron fist of the orc.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“It will begin in Rohan. Too long have these peasants stood against you…but no more. Rohan, my lord, is ready to fall.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“[to the army of Isengard] A new power is rising. Its victory is at hand. This night the land will be stained with the blood of Rohan. March to Helm’s Deep. Leave none alive. To war!” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“There will be no dawn… for men.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king. Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me… what words of comfort did you give the halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death.” The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition)

“What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and rats roll on the floor with the dogs? The victory at Helm’s Deep does not belong to you, Théoden, horsemaster! You are a lesser son of greater sires.” The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition)

Bonus: Saruman Quotes from the Books

If you’ve read the books then you already know Saruman’s ‘ending’ is different to that in the film version, and, of course, not all his lines made the cut. Don’t worry though, we’ve got his best quotes from the books right here for you!

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“And here you will stay, Gandalf the Grey, and rest from journeys. For I am Saruman the Wise, Saruman the Ring-maker, Saruman of Many Colours!” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“White!’ he sneered. ‘It serves as a beginning. White cloth may be dyed. The white page can be overwritten; and the white light can be broken.” The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“Saruman rose to his feet, and stared at Frodo. There was a strange look in his eyes of mingled wonder and respect and hatred. ‘You have grown, Halfling,’ he said. ‘Yes, you have grown very much. You are wise, and cruel. you have robbed my revenge of sweetness, and now I must go hence in bitterness, in debt to your mercy. I hate it and you! Well, I go and I will trouble you no more. But do not expect me to wish you health and long life. You will have neither. But that is not my doing. I merely foretell.” The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Did We Miss Any of Your Favorite Saruman Quotes?

Let us know in the comments below!

Want more Lord of the Rings quotes? Check these out:

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Kristy Brandt

Originally from Tasmania, Australia, Kristy was living in London when she unexpectedly met a Dutch bloke and ended up moving to the Netherlands to be with him. Now she can be found taking numerous photos of their four weird cats, eating lots of stroopwafels and blogging at Tassie Devil Abroad.

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