Master Oogway, the wise elderly tortoise from Dreamworks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda franchise, has delivered some of the most memorable and philosophical quotes in animated cinema. As the founder of Kung Fu and former grand master of the Jade Palace, his words continue to inspire us and global audiences with depth, destiny, inner peace, acceptance, and wisdom.
Here is a comprehensive collection of all Master Oogway's quotes from his appearances across the franchise. And beware! These quotes may show a spoiler or two if you haven't watched all of its movies, short films, and TV shows yet. Okay, now, ready? Let's get on with it.
Movies
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
- "Why must something be wrong for me to want to see my old friend?"
— Master Oogway - "Nothing is impossible."
— Master Oogway - "One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it."
— Master Oogway - "Your mind is like this water, my friend. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see. But if you allow it to settle... the answer becomes clear."
— Master Oogway - "There are no accidents."
— Master Oogway
- "I understand. You eat when you are upset."
— Master Oogway - "Quit, don't quit. Noodles, don't noodles. You are too concerned with what was and what will be."
— Master Oogway - "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."
— Master Oogway - "There is just news. There is no good or bad."
— Master Oogway - "My old friend, the panda will never fulfill his destiny, nor you yours, until you let go of the illusion of control."
— Master Oogway
- "Look at this tree, Shifu. I cannot make it blossom when it suits me, nor make it bear fruit before its time."
— Master Oogway - "No matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach."
— Master Oogway - "Maybe it can. If you are willing to guide it, to nurture it. To believe in it."
— Master Oogway - "No, you just need to believe. Promise me, Shifu. Promise me you will believe."
— Master Oogway - "My time has come."
— Master Oogway
- "You must continue your journey… without me."
— Master Oogway - "You must believe."
— Master Oogway
Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
There are no sayings from Master Oogway to quote here, as the character had already passed away in the first movie and is not physically present in the main storyline of the second movie. However, Master Oogway still does appear in Kung Fu Panda 2, but only in a flashback cameo and as a silent spirit in the DreamWorks intro sequence.
Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
- "Inner peace… Inner peace… Itchy nose. Finally, inner peace."
— Master Oogway - "Took you long enough!"
— Master Oogway - "You've grown stronger."
— Master Oogway - "When will you realize? The more you take, the less you have?"
— Master Oogway - "It was never my destiny to stop you. I have set another on that path."
— Master Oogway
- "Kai wanted the power all to himself. He saw that what could be given could also be taken. I had to stop him."
— Master Oogway - "It suits you. You've grown."
— Master Oogway - "Grown up. As I hoped you would when I sent the message to your father."
— Master Oogway - "Yes. Because the universe needed you."
— Master Oogway - "You finally became the panda you were always meant to be."
— Master Oogway
- "On the first day we met, I saw the future of kung fu. And the past. I saw the panda who could unite them both. That is why I chose you, Po. Both sides of a Yin and Yang. And my true successor."
— Master Oogway - "Just take it. I have a bigger one."
— Master Oogway - "I'm not going anywhere. I live here."
— Master Oogway - "It's you who must decide whether to stay or go."
— Master Oogway - "Who knows? I've never tried."
— Master Oogway
Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024)
Unfortunately, there is no quote to show from Master Oogway as the character doesn't appear extensively in the fourth film.
Short Films
Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five (2008)
- "You have shown me great skills. But, I also sense in you… great pain."
— Master Oogway - "Stay. Use your skills for good, young warrior. Find the one thing you were denied so long ago… Compassion."
— Master Oogway
Kung Fu Panda Holiday (2010)
Unfortunately, there's no quote to show as there's no appearance of Master Oogway in this short film.
Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters (2011)
- "I fear they will all lose… until they find a battle worth fighting."
— Master Oogway - "I believe that your unstoppable force… impenetrable hide… and tactical brilliance… are precisely what we need to capture them."
— Master Oogway - "Er… because you'd be protecting the innocent from certain villainy."
— Master Oogway - "And, er… using your skills for a noble purpose."
— Master Oogway - "Because upon completing the mission… you'll discover the path to a wealth of riches."
— Master Oogway
- "It's so nice to see that you were able to take the most respected art form in China… and use it to pursue nothing but fame."
— Master Oogway - "It must be hard being the son of a kung fu master… but I think I know how you can all get what you want, not just fame and fortune."
— Master Oogway - "By changing course. When the path you walk always leads back to yourself… you never get anywhere!"
— Master Oogway - "No time for sleep!"
— Master Oogway - "By working together."
— Master Oogway
- "It doesn't… It helps me. And by helping me… you help yourself."
— Master Oogway - "Not quite time to celebrate yet! For the most treacherous part of the journey lies just ahead."
— Master Oogway - "Oh, I think you'll find that the riches awaiting you will lighten your burden."
— Master Oogway - "Well, I never said money."
— Master Oogway - "I said riches… as in emotional riches."
— Master Oogway
- "Remember the path."
— Master Oogway - "I see you've found a battle worth fighting…"
— Master Oogway - "It means I'm right behind you."
— Master Oogway - "I never doubted you would. Your father will be proud… as am I."
— Master Oogway
Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll (2016)
- "Who knows the way of the universe? Where and when a raindrop might fall? How strongly a wind will blow?"
— Master Oogway - "Is it all just an accident? Or could it be destiny?"
— Master Oogway - "An acorn can only become the mighty oak. Not a cherry tree. You must let her grow into what she will be."
— Master Oogway - "There’s a matter of the utmost importance. Food! Let’s order in."
— Master Oogway - "A cleaner, a comedian, a dancer, and even a little doctor. It was no accident that you found them."
— Master Oogway
- "Worse. You are failing yourself. No matter how much you try, you will never be Shifu. The question is, can you be Tigress?"
— Master Oogway - "No. Her destiny is not yours to control."
— Master Oogway - "Who knows the ways of the universe? Accident? Or destiny? That is the secret."
— Master Oogway
TV Shows
Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2011-2016)
- "It is I, and I am me."
— Master Oogway, "S1.E14: Ghost of Oogway" - "Kicks are important, but they are also unimportant."
— Master Oogway, "S1.E14: Ghost of Oogway" - "Oh, don't only train. The body is like a windmill."
— Master Oogway, "S1.E14: Ghost of Oogway" - "A restful spirit leads to a restful mind, and a restful mind leads to a restful body."
— Master Oogway, "S1.E14: Ghost of Oogway" - "Awesome."
— Master Oogway, "S1.E14: Ghost of Oogway"
Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny (2018-2019)
- "I brought you here because I needed to speak to you. The universe has chosen you to teach these children."
— Master Oogway, "S1.E1: Enter the Dragon Master" - "Have you forgotten how hopeless and undisciplined and devoid of any knowledge or talent you were when we found you?"
— Master Oogway, "S1.E1: Enter the Dragon Master" - "You are something so much better. You are as great as you."
— Master Oogway, "S1.E1: Enter the Dragon Master" - "Whether you like it or not, teaching these children seems to be your destiny. Without your guidance and experience, those children are doomed."
— Master Oogway, "S1.E1: Enter the Dragon Master" - "Dragons don't always get along."
— Master Oogway, "S1.E3: Blade of the Red Phoenix"
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (2022-2023)
Unfortunately, there's no quote to show as there's no appearance of Master Oogway in this TV show.
