The Walking Dead has given fans more than just terrifying zombies and heart-stopping survival moments. It’s packed with iconic quotes that have a way of sticking in your mind, whether you want them to or not.
You would think that after almost three years since the hit AMC series ended its run and the release of several spinoffs, the lines that defined the original show might have faded, but they haven’t. They continue to live rent-free in our heads, reminding us of the beloved characters who faced impossible odds, made unforgettable choices, and left a lasting impact on both the story and its fans.
In this article, we're stepping back into the world of The Walking Dead to revisit six quotes that have stuck with us over the years.
"Maggie, I'll find you." - Glenn in The Walking Dead season 7 episode 1
Just writing out this quote gives me the chills! These are Glenn's last words to Maggie as he’s being brutally attacked by Negan with his barbed-wire baseball bat, Lucille. Although Glenn was about to face a horrific fate, this was his promise to Maggie that they would one day meet again. Maybe not in the real world, but in the afterlife.
"You can breathe. You can blink. You can cry. Hell, you're all gonna be doing that." - Negan in The Walking Dead season 6 episode 16
This is another iconic quote that happens in the same scene involving Glenn's death. Before Negan uses Lucille on Glenn, he chooses Abraham as his first victim. He starts off by playing a sadistic game of Eeny, meeny, miny, moe to decide who he will kill first in Rick's group, and it ends up being Abraham.
Negan says these lines and then immediately starts swinging his bat at Abraham, ultimately killing him. When he says the lines, he's basically mocking Rick and the rest of his group, emphasizing their helplessness and instilling terror by showing just how easily he can take their loved ones’ lives. What Negan said was pretty cruel, and he knew it would crush the spirit of his victims.
"Just look at the flowers, Lizzie." - Carol in The Walking Dead season 4 episode 14
Like Glenn's last words to Maggie, Carol also had some haunting last words for Lizzie in one of the most gut-wrenching moments of the series. Calmly telling her to 'just look at the flowers,' Carol delivered a line that was both tender and tragic, attempting to comfort Lizzie in her final moments while carrying out a heartbreaking act of mercy. As Lizzie faces the other way, Carol fatally shoots her in the head with a gun.
Carol had become like a guardian to Lizzie, taking care of her and her younger sister Mika. However, things go south as Lizzie becomes dangerously unstable and even kills Mika. Carol had no choice at that point but to make the heartbreaking decision to stop her, knowing it was the only way to protect others and prevent further tragedy.
"You kill or you die. Or you die and you kill." - The Governor in The Walking Dead season 3 episode 16
The Governor says these lines to a tied-up Andrea in the third season. When he says this, he's essentially justifying his brutal, survival-at-all-costs mentality, trying to convince Andrea that in their world, morality is a luxury and extreme violence is necessary to stay alive. So if you kill, then you have a better chance of survival. But if you don't, then you'll most likely die and still end up killing because you'll turn into a walker. That's basically what he's saying.
"You're gonna be fine. You are gonna beat this world. I know you will. You are smart, and you are strong, and you are so brave, and I love you. You gotta do what's right, baby. You promise me, you'll always do what's right. It's so easy to do the wrong thing in this world. So don't... so if it feels wrong, don't do it, all right? If it feels easy, don't do it. Don't let the world spoil you. You're so good." - Lori in The Walking Dead season 3 episode 4
It was not easy watching Lori say these final words to Carl before her death in the third season. Lori was pregnant with Shane's child and went into labor at the most inopportune time. Unable to deliver the baby, she had to have an emergency C-section performed by Maggie. But unfortunately, she died from the procedure. She says these lines to Carl right before the baby is born. It was her way of imparting love, guidance, and a final sense of reassurance to her son, hoping he would grow up strong and make the right choices in a world filled with danger and loss.
"You step outside, you risk your life... Every moment now, you don’t have a choice. The only thing you can choose is what you’re risking it for." - Hershel in The Walking Dead season 4 episode 3
Hershel tells Maggie and Rick this in the fourth season. He’s reminding them that in a world overrun by walkers and constant danger, risk is unavoidable, but they still have control over what they choose to fight for and protect. Hershel was known for his wisdom and moral guidance. This was just another one of his invaluable lessons.
The Walking Dead seasons 1 to 11 are available to stream on Netflix.