Assassin’s Creed: 16 Quotes From The Games To Live By (2024)

The story of Assassin's Creed is vast. The series includes many main titles, the timeline spans centuries, and each game offers a vast world to explore. It gives the player a lot to absorb in terms of gameplay, story, and themes. It has also provided some excellent quotes over the years.

From funny comments to powerful statements, the series has excelled in giving you bits of dialog that stick with you forever. And they've been provided by many different characters. People like Ezio and Altair have naturally delivered some excellent lines, but many of the other Assassins and side characters have had their fair share of memorable quotes, too. Here is a collection of the best ones.

Updated on October 19, 2023 by Ben Jessey: There aren't many active gaming series as long as Assassin's Creed, as another entry in the series has recently been released. This is, of course, Assassin's Creed Mirage. The new title does a lot of things well, but does it provide as many great quotes as the earlier titles?

That's hard to say, as the entire series is the source of many wonderful lines, as this list proves. In this update, we've added a few more good quotes to the collection.

16 “In A World Without Gold, We Might Have Been Heroes!” - Edward Thatch (Blackbeard)

Edward Thatch (aka Blackbeard) is among the most captivating non-protagonists in the series. His development from a regular pirate to a legend is compelling throughout Black Flag. His death scene is particularly memorable, as he takes many of his adversaries down with him, almost joyfully.

His final line is the one in question, where he tells Edward that they may have been heroes if it wasn't for their thirst for gold. Whether or not he really means that is unclear, but it's perhaps accurate. The likes of Blackbeard and Edward aren't evil to their core. In fact, they treat most people well. Yet, their greed and selfishness are what make them villains in the eyes of some people.

15 “I Fear That You Have Lost So Much Already That You Cannot Bare To Lose More.” - Elise De La Serre

While Unity has a fair few technical issues, it's a well-written game with good dialogue. Some of the best lines come from the letters Elise sends to Arno. Her final one is particularly good, as she ponders whether the protagonist is going to be able to go through with taking down the villain they've both been chasing.

She questions whether he will ruin their chances by prioritizing her survival instead of dealing the killing blow. After all, Arno has lost everyone else in his life. She is all he has left, and she's not sure he can face to lose anyone else. It's a powerful letter made all the more emotional as you only read it once Elise has already perished.

14 “Better To Be Content In This Life, Than Aspire To It In The Next.” - Ezio Auditore

Ezio is one of the most skilled Assassins in gaming, so he finds some creative ways to kill people in his series of games. Yet, sometimes, the conversations he has with his victims right before they pass are the best moments. This is because he delivers some good lines in these interactions. For instance, he tells Francesco de' Pazzi that it's better to appreciate your actual life than crave a good one in the afterlife.

Ezio delivers this line in Italian, so if you don't have subtitles on, it's easy to miss it. This is unfortunate, as it's a great message. After all, everyone has their own beliefs and theories about what happens after you die, but nobody knows for sure. Therefore, it's more important to enjoy the life you know exists.

13 "Let Them Have Answers - And Let Those Answers Be Difficult And Complex. Such Is Life." - Altair Ibn-La'Ahad

Of all the Assassin's Creed quotes, this is probably the closest that the series has to a thesis, even more than the creed itself. The motivations that lead each actor in the drama to one of those two sides are often very complex, but it ends with choosing one of the two sides: Assassins or Templars, liberty or security, libertarianism or authoritarianism (the broad philosophy, this isn't referencing any particular libertarian party).

At the end of the day, the Assassins want everyone to be permitted to choose their destiny and moral code based on what they observe and not what they are told. If what they are told rings true, then there is no reason to deny it. However, it should not be followed just because they were told to follow it. This entry comes from Altair's journal.

12 "To Say That Everything Is Permitted Is To Understand That We Are The Architects Of Our Actions And That We Must Live With Their Consequences, Whether Glorious Or Tragic." - Ezio Auditore

This quote comes from Ezio Auditore in Assassin's Creed: Revelations. It is explaining one of the most famous Assassin's Creed quotes: "Nothing is true. Everything is permitted." Ezio is explaining the meaning of this creed to a potential recruit. The first half is broad and refers to the Assassins being "the shepherds of civilization."

However, this half of the creed is far more interesting. There are those who question whether people truly have free will. Your actions are dictated by your place in history, and socioeconomic conditions can functionally remove the free will of an impoverished or vulnerable individual. There is also the religious philosophy of Calvinism that believes that the divine plan eliminates free will, and everyone is subject to predestination. However, this quote throws all of that out the window because they are hard to prove and are only observable on a broad historical scale. In day-to-day life, you are responsible for the choices you make, and you must face those consequences every time.

11 "Our Creed Does Not Command Us To Be Free. It Commands Us To Be Wise." - Al Mualim

This quote comes from Al Mualim in the first Assassin's Creed. Again, this is among the Assassin's Creed quotes that seek to tackle the actual creed of the organization: "Nothing is true. Everything is permitted." Altair is struggling with understanding the meaning of the creed, and Al Mualim tries to show him that the creed isn't about what one can do; it's about what one should do.

Wisdom and knowledge are what the Assassins value above all else. Knowledge and wisdom can put one on the right path if allowed. The Assassin's Creed doesn't say that the order can and should do whatever they want. It is stating the nature of reality and telling the Assassins that they are responsible for what they do within the confines of that reality.

10 "It's Better To Have Faith In Something Than Nothing At All." - Connor Kenway

This line was delivered by Connor Kenway in Assassin's Creed 3. Connor suffers the demise of his village and joins up with the Assassins and the American Revolution to fight back against the people ultimately responsible.

This line highlights the need for purpose and something to fight for in life. It's all too easy to fall into aimlessness and inertia. Everyone needs a goal and a higher purpose to give life meaning.

9 "How Could I Regret The Only Life I've Ever Known?" - Altair Ibn-La'Ahad

This line comes from Altair in the first Assassin's Creed while talking to his mentor, Al Mualim. Altair's master asks if he has any regrets about his actions as an Assassin, and Altair replies with the line above.

The line seems simple on the surface, but it speaks to a deeper truth about all of human life. There is a hypothetical question about whether the fish knows that it is swimming in water, and this quote is of the same idea. How can you know what it's like to live outside of your own life? Keeping such a perspective can help us to better understand others.

8 "Sometimes The Face We Show To The World Needs To Be One Of Strength, Despite The Chaos We Harbor Beneath." - Myrrine

This quote comes from Assassin's Creed: Odyssey and is spoken by Myrrine, the mother of protagonists Alexios and Kassandra. This line is delivered when Kassandra asks her mother about an upcoming symposium Myrrine is leading.

This quote is a rather powerful one, evoking the need to project strength even when one might be full of fear and turmoil. Such emotions need to be addressed at some point of course, but, at pivotal times, you have to put those chaotic emotions on hold for the ones who depend upon us.

7 "I Cannot Shed My Past Like A Snake Sheds Its Skin." - Bayek Of Siwa

This quote comes from the protagonist of Assassin's Creed: Origins, Bayek of Siwa. Bayek and his wife, Aya, started their Hidden Ones, aka the Assassins, after their son was killed by a precursor to the Templars known as the Order of the Ancients.

This quote shows how Bayek can't just forget about what happened to his family. His son was brutally murdered by a cult, and Bayek is unable to just forgive or forget. While you may not have begun a quest for revenge in your life, you must always remember your past. You are made of your memories and past experiences, and to try to outright shed your past is a fool's errand.

6 "You Parrot The Words, But You Do Not Understand Them." - Mary Read

Mary Read (aka James Kidd) from Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag is among the best characters from the series, and she is the one who tries to turn protagonist Edward Kenway away from a life of piracy and into the Assassins' Guild. She tells him of the Assassin's creed, "Nothing is true; everything is permitted," the latter half of which strikes a chord with the greedy and thrill-seeking Edward.

Mary tells Edward the above quote in response. Edward just wants a rule that lets him do whatever he wants, no matter how depraved. Mary tries to get him to understand that this creed actually means something and is intended as a means to a greater end. In that same vein, you should all strive to understand the rules you follow and what the greater outcome could be.

5 "It's-a Me, Mario!" - Mario Auditore

Mario Auditore is the uncle of Ezio Auditore de Firenze. After the tragedy that befalls Ezio's family at the beginning of Assassin's Creed 2, he has to flee his home and is ultimately found by his Uncle Mario. Ezio doesn't recognize his uncle at first glance, which prompts the above quote from Mario Auditore.

This also happens to be one of the most famous video game quotes ever, but not because of this Assassin. It's, of course, the catchphrase of the titular protagonist in the Super Mario series, and he's the one who made the quote famous. The writers of AC2 were clearly referencing the little plumber with this comical line.

4 "Wanting Something Does Not Give You The Right To Have It." - Ezio Auditore

This quote comes from Ezio Auditore de Firenze in Assassin's Creed 2. It is ultimately his counter to the Templar ideology, as the Templars manipulate the vast machinations of global politics to acquire the power that they seek.

It is a simple truth that everyone should remember, as you should think about how all your actions could affect others. Wants and needs are not the same, and even needs can be negotiated with in regard to your fellow human beings so that there can be enough for all.

3 "I Will Not Be Captive To Another Man's Gaudy Design. My Destiny Is Mine To Weave." - Eivor Varinsdottir

This line comes from the protagonist of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, Eivor. They are at once incredibly loyal and fiercely independent. This line refers to their reluctance to join the Assassins, also known as the Hidden Ones. Eivor wanted control of their destiny, but they were willing to help the Hidden Ones.

Hopefully, you can remain this independent and in control of your destiny. While humanity works best in cooperation and with shared goals, identity is important and gives a person purpose and direction.

2 "It Might Be That This Idea Is Only The Beginning Of Wisdom And Not Its Final Form." - Edward Kenway

This quote comes from Edward Kenway when he begins working with the Assassins, but still has some questions about the Creed itself. After a discussion with Ah Tabai, Edward comes to the above conclusion.

It's a very astute observation about the Creed, and it is something you should remember when traveling the path of education. All knowledge as it exists is intended to help lead one to further knowledge. Wisdom is a journey and not a destination.

1 "There Is No Greater Glory Than Fighting To Find The Truth." - Altair Ibn-La'Ahad

This quote comes from Altair in Assassin's Creed: Revelations. It is from Altair's final ponderings on his life and legacy as he nears the end of his journey. He fears that his path may have been the incorrect one as the war between Assassins and Templars never came to an end. However, knowing that he fought for the truth brings him solace.

This is more or less the true mission statement of the Assassins' Guild in the Assassin's Creed series. While their credo states that, "Nothing is true," their true mission is to expose the truth for all, and the truth is something everyone should live in service to.

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