Walking Dead quotes often remain apocalyptical and devastating. On a show that saw almost every single major character from the first two seasons die in tragic moments, there was little room for hope when it came to this reality TV show. With that said, there were some survivors, including Daryl Dixon and Maggie Rhee, and that proved that there was still hope for some survivors at what looked like the end of the world. There was no way to get through 11 seasons of The Walking Dead without there being some hope, and the show sprinkled some hope along the way.

When it comes to the show, there were always people who made some of the most profound, and even hopeful comments throughout the show’s history. Everyone from Rick Grimes to Glenn Rhee and some surprising names like Daryl Dixon and Beth Greene delivered some biting Walking Dead quotes that had fans talking after the episode concluded. These incredibly underrated Walking Dead quotes showed there was a lot more to the zombie apocalyptic series than just zombie deaths and intense violence.

8“The Pain Doesn’t Go Away. You Just Make Room For It.”

Andrea, Season 2, Episode 10 – “18 Miles Out”

Right at a time when fans were just beginning to understand what the show was about and how it wasn’t afraid to kill off main characters, Andrea spoke these Walking Dead quotes in the second season. Coming from a woman who had lost her sister and best friend, not to mention the rest of her family and many other new friends since the apocalypse, the meaning behind the words is deeply touching. Anyone who has lost someone they love knows how true the words are as well. The grieving process never really ends, and the pain doesn’t subside. It is just pushed back and can sometimes make room for positivity and growth, but it’s always there.

7“As Long As It’s All Of Us, We Can Do Anything.”

Rick, Season 6, Episode 16 – “Last Day On Earth”

Rick’s mood went through a major transformation over the years in The Walking Dead. He wasn’t always the motivational and inspirational leader he should have been, but there were times when he was exactly who he needed to be and could rally the troops. Season 6’s “Last Day on Earth” episode was one of those times. He spoke these Walking Dead quotes in what was one of the most controversial episodes in the show. It was the episode that saw Negan’s bat, Lucille, rear its ugly head. Rick’s hope was quickly squashed, but he had it for a short moment.

6“People Out There Are Always Looking For An Angle. Looking To Play On Your Weakness …”

Rick, Season 5, Episode 12 – “Remember”

Full quote: “… They measure you by what they can take from you. By how they can use you to live.”

This is such a powerful, prophetic statement that some might even say reflects real life, as well. Rick spoke these Walking Dead quotes to Deanna when he first entered Alexandria and was being interviewed by the leader. He suggested to her that she keep her gates closed, and she questioned him as to why. “It’s all about survival now, at any cost,” he began before delving into the rest of the quote. It caught Deanna off guard and made viewers truly think about the words and how true to current life they might also be as well.

5“You Gotta Be Who You Are, Not Who You Were.”

Beth, Season 4, Episode 12 – “Still”

Beth – one of the few characters on The Walking Dead Daryl could call a friend – didn’t make as much of an impact on the story as other characters did, but during her time on the show, she was a beacon of light. The young woman with the beautiful voice sometimes made Walking Dead quotes that were depressing, but also reflective of the state of the world on the show. In the case of this quote, Beth was right in that whoever each person was prior to the apocalypse, whether in career, social status, education, or mentality, it didn’t matter. All that mattered is who they were now, and who they were going to be.

4“I Can’t Profess To Understand God’s Plan …”

Hershel, Season 2, Episode 13 – “Beside the Dying Fire”

Full quote: “Christ promised the resurrection of the dead. I just thought he had something a little different in mind.”

Hershel spoke these Walking Dead quotes while chatting with the group of survivors once they made it to his farm and sought refuge there. Hershel, as fans know, had been hoarding his dead friends and family in a barn, leaving them to endlessly roam back and forth where they couldn’t harm anyone. The act seemed odd, but it makes sense given that Hershel was a man of faith and was hoping that a cure would be revealed that would allow him to save the ones he loved and confirm that they weren’t truly gone. This quote is, in a way, tied to that action as it reveals so much more about Hershel.

3“You Honor The Dead By Going On, Even When You’re Scared. You Love Because They Don’t Get To.”

Glenn, Season 6, Episode 7 – “Heads Up”

Glenn spoke these Walking Dead quotes, and they are as true to real life as they are to the show. While some people wanted to wallow in misery and grieve after losing a loved one, as they should, the apocalyptic world was far too fast-moving. Let your guard down for one moment, and it could be all over. However, the surviving people need to truly deal with their grief and not let it consume them. They must live to the fullest and keep fighting, as that’s the best way to honor the person who has died and no longer has the opportunity to do that.

2“I Might Be The One Walking Away, But You’re The One Who’s Leaving.”

Daryl, Season 3, Episode 10 – “Home”

Once again, these are more Walking Dead quotes that could happen in a real-life conversation and make sense. The person who walks away from an argument or situation isn’t necessarily the one who’s “leaving.” Daryl, who transformed a lot throughout the years on The Walking Dead, spoke these words to Carol during one of the times when she was struggling with staying with the group for fear of who she was becoming or would have to become. Daryl realized there wasn’t anything more he could do to convince her to stay, but wanted to make it clear that even though he would stop having the discussion, he still thought she was making the wrong choice.

1“I Shot My Mom. She Was Out. Hadn’t Turned Yet. I Ended It. It Was Real. I’m Sorry About Your Mom.”

Carl, Season 3, Episode 6 – “Hounded”

The weight of this quote is tremendous, spoken by Carl in a conversation with Daryl. After Daryl told Carl the much-forgotten story about how his house burned down with his mother in it when she presumably passed out while smoking in bed, Carl replied with this. Daryl’s story was from the pre-apocalyptic world about a young and poor boy dealing with his alcoholic mother and low-class life. By contrast, in Carl’s sad and tragic backstory, he was a young boy, likely around the same age, who was forced to kill his own mother while she was indeed very much still there. Was one situation “better” than the other? There is so much to think about behind these Walking Dead quotes that many fans still ponder today.