Summary

• Aang's youthful wisdom shines as he navigates his role as the Avatar, showcasing the power of innocence and insight.
• Aang's playful spirit and mischievous nature make him endearing, even as he matures and learns valuable life lessons.
• Aang's ability to find the balance between playful antics and wise quotes makes him a beloved character for fans of all ages.

Aang is only 12 years old when viewers meet him in Avatar: The Last Airbender. That’s pretty young to be taking on the responsibility of having to save the entire world from a war that’s been going on for 100 years. He’s inexperienced, and he can be immature at times. As Katara points out, he has a lot to learn about saving the world before he can actually do it, but there's a certain wisdom in youth that, at times, can be just as powerful as the insight of sages.

Aang was raised by monks, and their influence shaped him a great deal as a person. A lot of their wisdom has stuck with him as he’s grown up, with some of it becoming even more relevant as he gains life experience. From the overtly honest to the powerfully playful, Aang definitely has some of the best quotes out there about how to live one’s life in the best way.

Updated on April 8th, 2024 by Chelsea Steele: Arguably one of the greatest animated series to ever grace the small screen, Avatar: The Last Airbender remains popular, even almost 20 years later. There are many things fans love about this iconic classic, but one of its best aspects is undoubtedly its lovable titular hero, Aang. We've updated this list to meet CBR's current publication standards, offering a better look at some of Aang's best and most memorable quotes throughout the series.

15 "You Know, Zuko, I Don’t Care What Anyone Else Says About You.”

Season 3, Episode 13: "The Firebending Masters"

"You know, Zuko, I don't care what anyone else says about you. You're pretty smart."

Throughout the series, Aang has tons of funny and endearing lines. One of his greatest charms is his ability to use his keen insight to poke fun at others and joke around. His remarks towards Zuko are especially hilarious. As the two grow closer by Book 3, Aang can finally speak freely to his newfound friend, leading to some adorably silly moments between them.

Of course, Zuko has never been stupid, but he certainly acted that way. He only begins critically thinking at the end of the show’s second season. His rage, pride, and stubbornness clouded his thoughts, leading him to make careless decisions. By the time he and Aang get to know each other as allies, he has (mostly) overcome these character flaws. This scene makes for a sweet bonding moment between the two, with Aang and Zuko finally becoming close friends.

14 “I Laugh At Gravity All the Time. Hahaha, Gravity.”

Season 1, Episode 17: "The Northern Air Temple"

“I laugh at gravity all the time. Hahaha, gravity.”

Aang has always been a trickster. That is a huge part of his appeal. Being raised by monks made him wise, and the knowledge of all the past Avatars is accessible to him. But despite this, he is still a kid, reveling in the delights of daily life. As a result, he still acts like any ordinary 12-year-old most of the time, often goofing off and saying some pretty silly things.

While funny, this quote is technically true, seeing as Aang can fly with his airbending. Thus, he literally laughs while defying gravity. If one wanted to stretch this meaning to apply mystical interpretations, it could also be pointed out that laughter is a state of pure delight, which fits Aang completely. Buy whether someone takes this line literally or not, it's a fun and cute moment that reminds the audience of Aang's more playful and childish side.

13 “Where We’re Going, You Won’t Need Any Pants.”

Season 1, Episode 4: "The Warriors Of Kyoshi"

“Relax, Sokka. Where we’re going, you won’t need any pants.”

This is one of those great quotes that's absolutely hilarious taken out of context. In episode 4 of the first season, Aang, Sokka, and Katara are en route to Kyoshi Island. Sokka makes a sexist comment about girls being good at sewing, even as Katara is mending a tear in his pants. Katara rightfully and understandably reacts by throwing his pants back in his face without repairing the tear. As he complains, Aang assures Sokka that pants will not be necessary on Kyoshi Island.

The scene then pans over to the gang at Kyoshi Island. Here, they're enjoying a little rest and relaxation as they take a dip in the water and ride elephant koi. Just as Aang said, Sokka doesn't need pants, though the reason is likely not what he was expecting. It's one of those silly moments that make the early days of Avatar so charming and fun, not to mention showcases Aang's childish nature.

12 "We’re All Connected. Everything Is Connected.”

Season 2, Episode 19: "The Guru"

"We’re all connected. Everything is connected.”

In the episode titled "The Guru", Aang goes on a spiritual journey in hopes of mastering his Avatar State. While Aang is studying with Guru Pathik at the Eastern Air Temple, he learns how to unlock his chakras and how this will help him unlock his full power. As he follows the Guru's teachings, he makes a breakthrough about the interconnectedness of all things, stating that "We're all connected. Everything is connected."

The guru praises him for this insight. Pathik even extrapolates on this point, observing that all four nations are part of the same world. Additionally, the four elements are all manifestations of energy, thus all bending is a manifestation of energybending. This revelation gives Aang the clarity he needs to go on and fulfill his duty as the Avatar, and the Guru's wisdom ultimately leads Aang on the path to victory when he finally faces Ozai.

11 “This Is About Finding My Friend.”

Season 2, Episode 3: "Return To Omashu"

“This isn’t about finding my teacher. This is about finding my friend.”

When Aang needs to find an Earthebding teacher, he goes in search of his old friend Bumi. However, the Fire Nation has conquered Bumi's home city of Omashu and taken the old man prisoner. Upon learning this shocking news, Aang takes it upon himself to find Bumi and free him from his captivity. At this point, it's no longer about needing to learn earthbending for him. He just wants to make sure his friend is safe.

Aang understands the importance of friendship, valuing people for who they are rather than what they can do for him. This is one of the many reasons he has so many wonderful people in his life. Though it's a subtle and often overlooked moment, this scene is a prime example of Aang's loving nature and his loyalty to his friends.

10 “Will You Go Penguin Sledding With Me?”

Season 1, Episode 1: "The Boy In The Iceberg"

“Will you go penguin sledding with me?”

Without a doubt, this scene is one of the most famous and beloved in the Avatar franchise. It's the moment where the audience — as well as Sokka and Katara — meet Aang and hear him speak for the first time. He’s been trapped in the ice for one hundred years at this point, and he’s still a 12-year-old boy, not yet realizing that everyone he knows is long dead. He’s cheerful and ready for fun, even after waking from being trapped inside an iceberg.

Out of all of Aang's quotes throughout the series, this is one of the most iconic. This moment sets the tone and tells audiences everything they need to know about Aang's character in one of the funniest ways possible. It’s also a great first look at how Aang understandably does not want to let go of what it means to be a kid, even though he knows he has to accept his duties as Avatar eventually.

9 “Do You Think We Could Have Been Friends Too?”

Season 1, Episode 13: "The Blue Spirit"

You know what the worst part about being born over a hundred years ago is? I miss all the friends I used to hang out with. Before the war started, I used to always visit my friend Kuzon. The two of us, we'd get in and out of so much trouble together. He was one of the best friends I ever had. And he was from the Fire Nation, just like you. If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends, too?

Aang and Zuko have a difficult relationship throughout much of the series. From the start, they're sworn enemies and on completely different paths in the war. Zuko thinks that capturing Aang is the path back to respect in the eyes of his father. Meanwhile, Aang wants to save the world from the destruction of the Fire Nation. However, they slowly come to realize that, despite their differences, they want the same things.

In the episode "The Blue Spirit", Aang finds himself captured by Admiral Zhao, only to be rescued by a mysterious masked figured named the Blue Spirit. After Aang is freed, he soon discovers that his rescuer is actually Prince Zuko. Seeing this new side of Zuko gets Aang thinking, and he recounts his days with a close friend named Kuzon, who was from the Fire Nation too. His past friendship with Kuzon makes Aang wonder if he could be friends with Zuko too. Though it takes the two a long time to ever strike up a friendship, it’s clear from this quote that Aang has always thought it possible.

8 “If You Want to Be a Bender, You Have to Let Go of Fear.”

Season 1, Episode 1: "The Boy In The Iceberg"

“If you want to be a bender, you have to let go of fear.”

In the very first episode of Avatar, Aang is shown to be a master airbender already. Meanwhile, Katara is a struggling waterbending novice with no formal training. When Aang teams up with Katara and Sokka, the trio heads over to the old abandoned Fire Nation ship that's been stuck in the ice for decades. Aang starts to go inside, but Katara warns him that it's too dangerous. Aang simply responds by telling her that if she ever wants to be a true bender, she has to let go of her fears.

While this quote is pretty specific to the world of Avatar, what he’s saying here applies to pretty much any skill. Aang is pointing out that becoming a skilled bender means having faith in one’s own abilities and not being afraid of failing. He is an excellent airbender, and he’s learned from skilled teachers, so he has definitely learned these lessons himself, and he continues to learn them as he masters the other three elements. And thanks to this small push, he's able to inspire bravery in Katara, which helps her become a true waterbending master.

7 “If I Try, I Fail. If I Don’t Try, I’m Never Going to Get It.”

Season 2, Episode 9: "Bitter Work"

“If I try, I fail. If I don’t try, I’m never going to get it.”

As Avatar continues on Book 2, Aang begins his journey to master the element of earth. In the episode "Bitter Work", he finally begins training under his new teacher, Toph. However, he finds earthbending to be far more challenging than any other element so far. At this point, Aang is discouraged about his skills as a bender and having trouble learning new techniques. The quote is interesting because he acknowledges that, though he’s trying, he’s still not quite succeeding.

Because earth is his opposite element, Aang struggles more than ever while trying to master it. Until now, bending has always come easy to him, so this is the first time he's really faced failure. But Aang also knows that if he stops trying altogether, there’s no way he’s ever going to get past his own hangups and figure it out. It’s a complex emotion of discouragement but knowing that he has to stop sulking and try again.

6 “It’s Easy to Do Nothing. It’s Hard to Forgive.”

Season 3, Episode 16: "The Southern Raiders"

“It’s easy to do nothing. It’s hard to forgive.”

Aang has seen some tough stuff in his life. He’s so young, but he’s experienced such an extraordinary amount of loss. While under the ice, his entire known family is destroyed by the Fire Nation as they search for him. Any time his friends are threatened, he feels legitimate, and righteous, anger. But he knows that holding onto those feelings can also poison him as a person, and he tries his best to let them go.

In "The Southern Raiders", Aang attempts to pass on this lesson to Katara after she discoveries the whereabouts of her mother's killer. However, Katara is far from receptive of this notion, brushing off Aang's ideals even in the final scene. Aang's push for forgiveness could be seen as insensitive to Katara's feelings, but it comes from a genuinely well-meaning place. Aang truly wants Katara to heal from her past trauma, and he feels that forgiveness would help her more than she realizes.

5 “The Past Can Be a Great Teacher.”

Season 3, Episode 13: "The Firebending Masters"

“The past can be a great teacher.”

In the season 3 episode "The Firebending Masters", Zuko begins training Aang in firebending, but soon discovers that his powers have diminished now that he no longer fights with rage. Thus, the boys set out to seek wisdom from the past, hoping to gain knowledge from the fire firebenders and unlock a new way to firebend. As someone with a wealth of ancient knowledge, Aang is well aware that the past can teach more than some may realize.

Aang is pointing out a couple of things with this quote. While of course, a person’s personal history is a great place to start when trying to learn and grow, there’s also a lot to learn from history at large with regard to how people have handled problems and conflicts. Remembering that there are usually precedents for every problem is a great way to learn from mistakes and move forward acknowledging the ways people can change and grow.

4 “Let your anger out, and then let it go. Forgive him.”

Season 3, Episode 16: "The Southern Raiders"

“Let your anger out, and then let it go. Forgive him.”

Katara has a really difficult time dealing with the death of her mother. Even after so many years have passed, she's still struggling to overcome the grief of her death, as well as the trauma it's caused her. Her mother's death haunts her throughout the series and often leads to many outbursts that are usually uncharacteristic of the kindhearted and nurturing waterbender.

When Zuko tells her that he knows who’s responsible for her death so she can get revenge, Aang is rightfully worried about the idea of her killing him. He knows what it feels to be angry at the Fire Nation and to want revenge, but also is well aware of the consequences it brings. Aang explaining to her that her anger and grief are valid, but also that she should try to forgive him for her own sake is incredibly wise. It shows a maturity far beyond Aang's years, something that even Katara has yet to master.

3 “The monks used to say that revenge is like a two-headed rat viper."

Season 3, Episode 16: "The Southern Raiders"

“The monks used to say that revenge is like a two-headed rat viper. While you watch your enemy go down, you’re being poisoned yourself.”

In another quote from "The Southern Raiders", Aang wants to make it clear that he thinks revenge is never the answer. Even as Katara is dead set on facing the man who killed her mother, Aang tells her that revenge will only bring more pain. He compares it to a "two-headed rat viper", stating that killing out of vengeance doesn't make things right, it just brings death.

This is a great idiom from the monks, explaining how easy it is to take a life or to get revenge on someone who has wronged them. But it is also almost impossible to actually feel a sense of relief from getting that revenge, and it will likely make them feel worse in the long run. This moment once again showcases Aang's incredible wisdom, as well as his personal growth throughout the series.

2 “Anyone’s Capable of Great Good and Great Evil.”

Season 3, Episode 6: "The Avatar And The Firelord"

“Anyone’s capable of great good and great evil. Everyone, even the Fire Lord and the Fire Nation, have to be treated like they’re worth giving a chance.”

In "The Avatar and the Firelord" Aang and Zuko both learn the shocking history of Avatar Roku and Firelord Sozin. Despite Sozin's deplorable actions that eventually lead to war, he and Avatar Roku were once best friends. However, they were driven down two competely different paths, forced into becoming enemies. Learning Sozin and Roku's past acts as a great lesson for Aang and Zuko, who then realize that there's far more nuance to the Fire Nation and the war's beginnings than meets the eye.

This is one of the biggest themes of Avatar, that not everyone is evil just because their nation has done some evil things. Zuko is a great example of this, since he ultimately changes his outlook, condemning the actions both of his nation and those that he took in the past against Aang and his friends. In addition, during their journey through Fire Nation territory, Team Avatar sees first-hand that the nation's people are victims and aren'ts responsible for Ozai's atrocities. Thus, Aang refuses to condemn someone to death since anyone might be capable of change, even if that someone is the Firelord.

1 “When We Hit Our Lowest Point, We Are Open to the Greatest Change.”

The Legend Of Korra Season 1, Episode 12: "Endgame"

“When we hit our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change.”

Aang's words of wisdom go far beyond Avatar: The Last Airbender, as he continues to pass on his knowledge in The Legend of Korra as well. In the sequel series, Aang has already passed on, but he continues to live through Korra. Much like Roku was for him, Aang acts as a guide for the new Avatar, helping her overcome challenges on her physical and spiritual journey.

At the end of Korra's first season, the titular Avatar may have brought Amon's terror to an end, but she finds herself broken and defeated nonetheless. No longer able to bend three out of four of her elements, Korra believes she's failed as the Avatar. However, Aang reminds her that sometimes in order to achieve greatness, one has to reach their lowest point first. This wisdom helps Korra regain her bending and unlock the Avatar State, all while teaching her a valuable lesson that she carries with her through the rest of the series.