You will be hard-pressed to find a more beloved character in the Outlander universe than Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser. From his perpetual scowl to his undying devotion to Jamie, there is no shortage of things to love about everyone’s favorite cranky Scot.
While Murtagh is undeniably funny, some of his best moments are the ones that allow viewers the chance to see his softer side. Below you will find Murtagh Fraser’s 10 best quotes. Keep in mind, these quotes are pulled from Murtagh’s on-screen character - played by Duncan Lacroix - and not from the book.
“You’re a Guest of the MacKenzie. We Can Insult You, but God Help Any Other Man Who Does.”
Season 1, Episode 5, ‘Rent’
‘Rent’ follows Claire as she is taken, along with Jamie, Dougal, Murtagh, and the rest of Castle Leoch’s finest, to travel the Scottish Highlands and collect rent for Laird Colum MacKenzie. Due to the clansmen’s suspicions of Claire, the trip is not a pleasant one for her.
One morning, Claire is speaking with Ned Gowan. During their conversation, a table of unknown men nearby are speaking loudly in Gaelic. This prompts the MacKenzie clansmen to start a fight with them. Later, as an exasperated Claire tends their wounds, Murtagh tells her that the others were fighting to defend her honor. The table of joking men had been insulting her. He goes on to tell Claire, “You’re a guest of the MacKenzie. We can insult you, but God help any other man who does.”
“Even Knowing What You Say You Do, I Would Not Want to Bear that Burden.”
Season 2, Episode 6, ‘Best Laid Schemes’
Season two finds Murtagh out of his element in high-class Parisian society. He’s working alongside Jamie and Claire to stop the Jacobite Rebellion without any idea why. Eventually, Claire and Jamie (finally) decide it’s time to tell Murtagh the truth about everything. In true Murtagh fashion, he hits Jamie for not telling him sooner. Murtagh is noticeably hesitant discussing the topic with Claire, not yet fully convinced. He asks her questions about the future and about her knowledge of the Jacobite Rebellion.
Viewers are left on edge, curious about Murtagh’s reaction to the truth. He tells Claire, “Even knowing what you say you do, I would not want to bear that burden.” Murtagh’s reaction shows care and understanding of Claire’s situation, as well as his capacity for empathy.
“Any Daughter of Yours Would be a Canny Lass.”
Season 4, Episode 5, ‘Savages’
Outlander fans everywhere rejoiced during this season four episode, as it finally brought Murtagh back into the story. In one of the most moving scenes of the season, Jamie and Murtagh are unexpectedly reconnected for the first time since their time at Ardsmuir. After an emotional reunion, they sit and talk. Murtagh is surprised - and happy - when he learns that Claire has returned. When he asks about “the bairn,” Jamie tells Murtagh that Brianna is alive in the year “nineteen hundred and seventy.” “Brianna’s at university,” Jamie tells him. “Any daughter of yours would be a canny lass,” Murtagh responds.
It’s a full-circle moment for Murtagh. Not only has his Jamie survived, but his daughter has, too - and she’s just like her father.
“If the Lad is Truly Gone, I Vow to Protect You the Rest of My Life, Just as I Swore to Ellen to Protect Jamie.”
Season 1, Episode 14, ‘The Search’
‘The Search’ follows Claire and Murtagh as they travel the Highlands, performing songs for audiences, hoping to attract enough attention that Jamie will know where to find them. As each day passes, the pair grows hopeless of finding Jamie, afraid he has been captured by the redcoats hunting him.
The episode is filled with some of Murtagh’s funniest moments and also his most heartwrenching. Murtagh and Claire’s relationship evolves over the course of the episode and they grow closer, bonding over their love for Jamie. Murtagh tells Claire the story of his relationship with Jamie’s mother, Ellen. Murtagh was in love with Ellen. So much so that he swore to her he would spend the rest of his life protecting Jamie.
After Claire fears she has lost Jamie forever, Murtagh says, “If the lad is truly gone, I vow to protect you the rest of my life, just as I swore to Ellen to protect Jamie.” Murtagh’s vocalization of this devotion to Ellen and Jamie–and now Claire–is a beautiful moment for his character.
“Where He Goes, I Go.”
Season 2, Episode 2, ‘Not in Scotland Anymore’
To be fair, Murtagh kind of says this as a threat. He accompanies Jamie to a brothel, where the two have agreed to meet with Prince Charles. After Charles questions Murtagh’s unrequested presence, Murtagh states, “Where he goes, I go.”
It’s not a big moment - in fact, it barely phases the prince. But this single quote is so representative of Murtagh’s relationship with Jamie. Where Jamie goes, Murtagh goes. It’s the perfect summary of Murtagh’s devotion to his godson.
“Your Mother Had the Sweetest Smile. Claire’s Smile is Just as Sweet.”
Season 1, Episode 7, ‘The Wedding’
‘The Wedding’ begins with Jamie and Claire in their bridal suite, hours after their wedding has ended. They recount to one another the events of the day, reliving the moments that lead up to their vows. Jamie reveals to Claire that Murtagh had helped him orchestrate the event entirely - from securing the ring and dress to forcing a sick priest to perform the ceremony.
In Jamie’s flashback, Jamie and Murtagh talk about Jamie’s upcoming union with Claire. Murtagh then brings up Jamie’s mother. “Your mother had the sweetest smile. Claire’s smile is just as sweet.”
This quote acts as Murtagh’s blessing upon Jamie’s marriage and reveals his approval for Claire. Considering how in-love Murtagh was with Jamie’s mother, the compliment is very high praise.
“I Kept My Word. I Lay My Vengeance at Your Feet.”
Season 2, Episode 11, ‘Vengeance is Mine’
While in Paris, Claire and Mary are attacked while Murtagh is escorting them home. Murtagh, having been attacked by the same group of men, is unable to come to their rescue. After they get home and the chaos settles, Murtagh is distraught for having let them get hurt on his watch after promising their safety. He swears vengeance as penance.
Claire soon realizes that it’s the Duke of Sandringham who is responsible for orchestrating the attack. When the opportunity presents itself, Murtagh beheads the Duke and lays it at Claire and Mary’s feet. “I kept my word. I lay my vengeance at your feet.”
“Well, It’s Not the Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy.”
While Jamie and Murtagh’s long-awaited reunion may have been the highlight of ‘Savages’ fans were almost equally excited to see Murtagh reunite with Claire.
After Murtagh declines Jamie’s invitation to join him on Fraser’s Ridge, fans are unsure if Murtagh will make another appearance. At the very end of the episode, Claire hears a familiar song whistled from the woods beyond the house: ‘Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy’, the song she and Murtagh performed while searching for Jamie all those years ago. When she asks Murtagh if it’s really him, he responds: “Well, it’s not the boogie-woogie bugle boy.”
“Can I At Least Pray Them Sound?”
Season 3, Episode 3, ‘All Debts Paid’
Fans of the books were surprised to find Murtagh alive in season three. It’s revealed that he is imprisoned at Ardsmuir, along with Jamie, after the failed rebellion.
There isn’t a lot of positive things for them to talk about in such deplorable conditions, but the conversation eventually comes around to the topic of Claire and her child, and what their life might be like on the other side of stones. Jamie tells Murtagh not to think about them, that the thought will only bring pain. Murtagh, understanding Jamie’s pain, poignantly asks, “Can I at least pray them sound?”
“I’ll Be Dying with You.”
Season 2, Episode 13, ‘Dragonfly in Amber’
Just before the fateful battle at Culloden, Jamie asks Murtagh to guide his men back home. Thanks to Claire’s knowledge of the future, Jamie knows that what lies ahead of them is going to be a massacre and wants his men safely away.
Murtagh agrees but informs Jamie that he will be back to fight alongside him. “No,” Jamie says. “I said I won’t have you dying for nothing.” Murtagh then responds with his best quote of the series: “I won’t be. I’ll be dying with you.”
