Jeong Jeong quotes from Avatar: The Last Airbender

Jeong Jeong

Destiny? What would a boy know of destiny? If a fish lives its whole life in this river, does he know the river's destiny? No! Only that it runs on and on out of his control. He may follow where it flows, but he cannot see the end. He cannot imagine the ocean.

Jeong Jeong

Water brings healing and life. But fire brings only destruction and pain. It forces those of us burdened with its care to walk a razor's edge between humanity and savagery. Eventually, we are torn apart.

Jeong Jeong

To master the bending disciplines you must first master discipline itself, but you have no interest in this, so I have no interest in you.

Aang

Master, I need to learn firebending.

Jeong Jeong

Only a fool seeks his own destruction.

Aang

[sits down] I'm the Avatar. It's my destiny to— [Jeong Jeong cuts off Aang's sentence]

Jeong Jeong

Destiny? What would a boy know of destiny?! If a fish lives its whole life in this river, does he know the river's destiny? No! Only that it runs on and on out of his control. He may follow where it flows, but he cannot see the end. He cannot imagine the ocean.

Aang

[feels unsure] Okay... But it's the Avatar's duty to master all of the bending disciplines.

Jeong Jeong

To master the bending disciplines, you must first master discipline itself. But you have no interest in this, so I have no interest in you. Now, get out.

Aang

Please, I have to learn. This could be my only chance. [Jeong Jeong lashes back at Aang]

Jeong Jeong

Are you deaf?! How can I teach you if you refuse to listen?! Before learning firebending, you must learn water and earth. Water is cool and soothing. Earth is steady and stable. But fire... fire is alive. It breathes, it grows. Without the bender, a rock will not throw itself! But fire will spread and destroy everything in its path if one does not have the will to control it! That is its destiny! You are not ready! You are too weak!

Roku

You think I am weak?

Jeong Jeong

Avatar Roku! No, no! [bowing his head in respect] I did not mean that!

Roku

I have mastered the elements a thousand times in a thousand lifetimes. Now, I must do it once again. You will teach the Avatar firebending.

Jeong Jeong

[coming out of his vision] Yes, yes... I will teach you.

Aang

Really? That's great!