Actor Zuko quotes from Avatar: The Last Airbender

Zuko

What, what’s happening?

Zuko

[sips tea, exhales] What’s that mean? [coughs]

Zuko

I don't want any tea! I need to capture the Avatar!

Zuko

(to Katara) You rise with the moon. I rise with the sun.

Zuko

[to an unconscious Aang] I finally have you. But I can't get you home because of this blizzard. There's always something. Not that you would understand. You're like my sister. Everything always came easy to her. She's a firebending prodigy and everyone adores her. My father says she was born lucky. He says I was lucky to be born. I don't need luck, though. I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight, and that's made me strong. It's made me who I am.

Zuko

Azula always lies, Azula always lies.

Zuko

Hello, Zuko here. But I guess you probably already know me, sort of. Uh so, the thing is I have a lot of Firebending experience and I'm considered to be pretty good at it. Well you've seen me... you know when I was attacking you? Uh yeah, I guess I should apologize for that, but anyway I'm good now. I mean, I thought I was good before but now I realize I was bad, but anyway... I think it's time I joined your group and taught the Avatar Firebending.

Zuko

Well, what's your answer!?

Zuko

Yeah, that's what I'd say too.

Zuko

How am I supposed to convince these people that I'm on their side? What would uncle do? (imitating Iroh) Zuko, you have to look within yourself to save yourself from your other self. Only then will your true self reveal itself. Ugh, even when I'm talking for him I can't figure out what he means. What would Azula do? (imitating Azula) Listen Avatar, I can join your group, or I can do something unspeakably horrible to you and your friends. Your choice! (looks at frog) I guess I'm not that good at impersonations.

Zuko

Why am I so bad at being good?

Zuko

(To himself, after revealing to Aang that he was the one who sent Combustion Man) Ugh, why do I have to be so stupid? How could I tell them that I sent an assassin after them? Couldn't I say that Azula did it? They would've believed that! Stupid! (Hits his head)

Iroh

When Prince Zuko saw it was his father, who had come to duel him, he begged for mercy.

Please, Father! I only had the Fire Nation's best interests at heart! I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!

You will fight, for your honor.

[bows to the floor] I meant you no disrespect! I am your loyal son!

[advances on his son] Rise and fight, Prince Zuko!

...I won't fight you!

You will learn respect... and suffering, will be your teacher!

Iroh

...I looked away.

I always thought that... Prince Zuko was in a training accident.

Iroh

It was no accident. After the duel, the Fire Lord said that by refusing to fight, Zuko had shown shameful weakness. As punishment, he was banished and sent to capture the Avatar. Only then could he return with his honor.

So that's why he's so obsessed. Capturing the Avatar is his only chance he has of things returning to normal.

Iroh

Things will never return to normal. But the important thing is, the Avatar gives Zuko hope.

Zuko

[shows June Katara's necklace]

June

[smirking] What happened? Your girlfriend run off on you?

Zuko

It's not the girl I'm after, it's the bald monk she's traveling with.

June

Whatever you say...

Zuko

If you find them, I'll consider the damage to my ship paid for.

June

Heh. Forget it.

Iroh

Plus, we'll pay your weight in gold.

June

[smiling] Make it your weight, and we got a deal.

Iroh

[laughs] You got it!

Iroh

Zuko, remember that plant that I thought might be tea?

Zuko

You didn't!

Iroh

I did. [Iroh turns around to reveal his red, swollen face which he is scratching] And it wasn't.

Zuko

Yah!

Iroh

When the rash spreads to my throat, I will stop breathing. But look what I found! These are bacui berries, known to cure the poison of the white jade plant. That, or macahoni berries that cause blindness.

Zuko

We're not taking any more chances with these plants! We need to get help.

Iroh

But where are we going to go? We're enemies of the Earth Kingdom, and fugitives from the Fire Nation.

Zuko

If the Earth Kingdom discovers us, they'll have us killed.

Iroh

But if the Fire Nation discovers us, we'll be turned over to Azula.

Zuko

Earth Kingdom it is.

Iroh

Prince Zuko, pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame.

Zuko

Well, my life has been nothing but humbling lately.

Iroh

[drawing the Fire Nation symbol in the sand before Zuko] Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want. [draws the Earth Kingdom symbol] Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring. [draws the Air Nomads symbol] Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Also, they apparently had pretty good senses of humor! [grins]

Iroh

[continuing, drawing the Water Tribe symbol] Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything.

Zuko

Why are you telling me these things?

Iroh

It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations, will help you become whole.

Zuko

All this "Four Elements" talk is sounding like Avatar stuff.

Iroh

It is the combination of the four elements within one person that makes the Avatar so powerful. But, it can make you more powerful, too. [prods him in the chest with his staff] You see, the technique I am about to teach you is one I learned by studying the Waterbenders.