Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles follows four mutant turtle brothers—Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo—trained in ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Master Splinter, as they battle villains like Shredder while navigating life in the shadows of New York City. The series delves into themes of brotherhood, inner strength, redemption, and the balance between chaos and discipline.
This curated collection of 25 quotes highlights pivotal moments of emotional depth, character evolution, and thematic resonance across various arcs, blending intense battles with reflective peace.
I do not wish to fight. But cast a stone into the lake, and the ripples will return to you
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1987 series, Season 1, Episode 1: Turtle Tracks)
Master Splinter
Splinter’s wisdom teaches karma during a peaceful training, fostering Leonardo’s growth in restraint and connecting to themes of consequences.
Anger clouds the mind. Turned inward, it is an unconquerable enemy
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1990 film, but canonically echoed in comics Issue #1)
Master Splinter
Addresses Raphael’s inner turmoil in a reflective moment, highlighting his development from rage to self-control amid brotherhood themes.
Those who are not with me are against me and I crush anyone who stands against me
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2003 series, Season 1, Episode 1: Things Change)
Oroku Saki (Shredder)
Shredder’s battle declaration intensifies villainy, emphasizing themes of power and opposition while driving the turtles’ united resolve.
Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1990 film)
Michelangelo
Mikey’s humorous deflection during a somber talk lightens grief, showcasing his role in emotional balance and family healing.
The path that leads to what we truly desire is long and difficult, but only by following that path do we achieve our goal
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1987 series, Season 3, Episode 1: Beneath These Streets)
Master Splinter
Guides Donatello in a quiet invention scene, underscoring perseverance and his intellectual growth in pursuing knowledge.
You are unique among your brothers, for you choose to face this enemy alone. But as you face it, do not forget them, and do not forget me
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mirage Comics, Issue #10)
Master Splinter
Splinter’s heartfelt plea to isolated Raphael promotes unity, marking his arc from lone wolf to team player.
Sometimes you must follow your heart even if others tell you not to
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2003 series, Season 2, Episode 1: Turtles in Space – Part 1)
Master Splinter
Encourages Leonardo’s intuition in a peaceful strategy session, tying to themes of inner wisdom and leadership maturation.
In this life, we only have each other. If one of us goes down, we all go down, so focus
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2003 series, Season 4, Episode 6: Grudge Match)
Leonardo
Pep talk during Michelangelo’s training battle, reinforces brotherhood bonds and Leo’s evolution as a supportive leader.
A wise ninja does not seek out an enemy who he does not fully understand
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2003 series, Season 3, Episode 1: Space Invaders, Part 1)
Master Splinter
Advises caution in a tense standoff, highlighting strategic growth and themes of knowledge over impulsive action.
Seek victory, not fairness
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2012 series, Season 1, Episode 1: Rise of the Turtles, Part 1)
Master Splinter
Battle lesson to Raphael, channeling his anger productively and connecting to justice themes with emotional intensity.
Relax, Raph, we’ve got this hero thing wired. I mean, our ninjocity is off the charts
(Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Season 1, Episode 1: Mystic Mayhem)
Leonardo
Comforts Raphael in a light-hearted post-battle, blending humor with heroism to show Leo’s confident development.
After all of this time, I have learned that revenge only leads to more pain
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2012 series, Season 4, Episode 1: Beyond the Known Universe)
Master Splinter
Reflective forgiveness in a peaceful arc resolution, marking his redemption journey and anti-vengeance themes.
Death comes for us all Oroku Saki. But something much worse comes for you, for when you die it will be without honor
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2003 series, Turtles Forever special)
Master Splinter
Climactic battle taunt carries grave emotional weight, underscoring honor and Splinter’s vengeful yet principled growth.
We choose what holds us back and what moves us forward
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2012 series, Season 2, Episode 1: The Mutation Situation)
Master Splinter
Motivates during a family crisis, emphasizing personal agency and emotional resilience in character arcs.
You guys must be studying the abridged book of ninja fighting
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1990 film)
Raphael
Sarcastic quip in a fierce fight, reveals his hot-headed wit and development toward team synergy.
Sometimes the past is a mirror in which we can see the reflection of what danger the future holds
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2003 series, Season 1, Episode 10: The Shredder Strikes, Part 1)
Master Splinter
Warns in a meditative moment, linking history to foresight and his role in guiding the turtles’ maturity.
Leadership is not about being appreciated, it is about responsibility. It doesn’t matter that the burden is heavy, it matters that you carry it
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2012 series, Season 3, Episode 1: Within the Woods)
Master Splinter
Advises Leonardo post-injury, deepening his sense of duty and themes of sacrificial leadership.
Fighting’s for grownups, and that’s only if you got no other choice
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, 1993 film, echoed in comics)
Raphael
Calms kids in a non-combat scene, showing his softer side and growth from impulsivity to wisdom.
The first rule of the ninja is to do no harm. Unless you mean to do harm, then do lots of harm
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2012 series, Season 1, Episode 4: New Friend, Old Enemy)
Master Splinter
Humorous yet serious training twist, balancing discipline with action and highlighting adaptive philosophy.
I know what you did! I live with it every damn day, and I’ve had enough
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin, Comic Issue #1)
The Last Ronin (Michelangelo)
Raw outburst in isolation reflects survivor’s guilt, tying to loss themes and profound character trauma.
A creative mind must be balanced by a disciplined body
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2003 series, Season 2, Episode 6: The Ultimate Ninja)
Master Splinter
Instructs Donatello during invention downtime, promoting harmony and his arc as a balanced innovator.
Wrong! The halting of Kraang is exactly the thing that the ones who are—ugh, just halt!
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2012 series, Season 1, Episode 2: Rise of the Turtles, Part 2)
Leonardo
Stumbles in a battle command, showing early leadership flaws evolving into confident strategy.
There is no monster more dangerous than a lack of compassion
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1987 series, Season 4, Episode 1: Son of Return of the Fly II)
Master Splinter
Philosophical talk post-conflict, emphasizing empathy and Splinter’s compassionate guidance in redemption arcs.
Like the phoenix I have risen from the ashes and into my fire, you shall fall
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2003 series, Season 2, Episode 13: Return to New York, Part 3)
Oroku Saki (Shredder)
Resurrection boast in epic battle heightens stakes, connecting to resilience themes with villainous intensity.
Tonight you have learned the final and greatest truth of the ninja: that ultimate mastering comes not from the body, but from the mind
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mirage Comics, Issue #4)
Master Splinter
Post-victory reflection unites the brothers, capping arcs of mental strength and collective heroism.
