10 Quotes That Prove Jack Sparrow Actually Has a Moral Compass

Captain Jack Sparrow, the legendary Pirate of the Caribbean, has left an iconic mark on popular culture. Through five films, from Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) to On Stranger Tides (2011) and Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), Sparrow has become a staple in lore and American story-telling, offering unique quips alongside other memorable characters like Cutler Beckett, Davy Jones, and Will Turner.

Captain Jack Sparrow, portrayed by the iconic actor Johnny Depp, is the most notable swashbuckling pirate at the center of the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Known for his tattooed eccentric personality, witty charm, and questionable morals, Captain Jack Sparrow navigates the high seas aboard his ship, the Black Pearl, in pursuit of adventure and treasure.

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Jack Sparrow’s escapades often involve encounters with formidable foes such as Davy Jones, Captain Barbossa, and Cutler Beckett, as well as alliances with characters like Elizabeth Swann, Captain Teague, and Joshamee Gibbs. His adventures take him to exotic locations like Port Royal, the Flying Dutchman, and the mysterious Isla de Muerta.

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Whether he is outsmarting enemies, engaging in sword fights, or outmaneuvering danger, Captain Jack Sparrow’s unpredictable nature and witty one-liners endear him to fans worldwide. With his unique sense of style, adorned with beads, braids, and signature tricorn hat, Jack Sparrow has become an unforgettable figure in pirate lore.

As fans eagerly await his next escapade, Jack Sparrow’s legacy as a daring and charismatic pirate continues to captivate audiences, solidifying his place among the most iconic characters in cinema history.

Although fans await news regarding the return of Johnny Depp and the Black Pearl to Disney, his undoubtable mark on film is cemented forever, full of memorable quotes that not only show why we love Jack Sparrow but also prove his moral compass isn’t as sideways as we may have first thought. So, today, we’ll be sharing 20 of our favorite Jack Sparrow quotes, mainly to hold us over until we can potentially see our favorite pirate back in the theatre or at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

1. “People Aren’t Cargo Mate”

Many people don’t know the exact back story regarding Jack Sparrow and Cutler Beckett. However, in a deleted scene, we get a glimpse of the real Jack Sparrow as he briefly mentions past dealings with Beckett and the East India Trading Company. Alluding to the slave trade, Jack abruptly and somberly reminds Beckett that people are not cargo.

2. “What a Horrible Way to Live”

In Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), Sparrow is faced with yet another encounter with an exciting character, Carina Smyth. When they meet, Smyth explains to Sparrow that she is not looking for any trouble. In true Sparrow fashion, Jack responds with, “What a horrible way to live.”

3. “Bring Me That Horizon”

Only a few lines in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise completely sum up the essence of the iconic Jack Sparrow. “Bring me that horizon” is undoubtedly one of them. Jack is always thinking ahead, ready for his next adventure. Often, his thoughts of immortal glory are carried out positively, that is, until something goes sideways.

4. “Why Fight When You Can Negotiate?”

This little quip should be considered in our everyday lives. No one truly wins in a physical fight, so, like Jack, why not negotiate and save yourself the trouble? Although Captain Sparrow and his negotiations are often at the expense of others, the witty captain often has a long-term plan to right his wrongs.

5. “Not All Treasure Is Silver and Gold, Mate”

What’s a pirate story without treasure? According to Jack, being a successful privateer isn’t necessary. When speaking with Will Turner, Jack recognizes the young man’s adoration for Elizabeth, citing that not all worth is monetary.

6. “I Do That Quite A Lot Yet People Are Always Surprised.”

Captain Sparrow is sly but not always in a treacherous way. Often, we’ve seen Jack Sparrow guise his truth as a lie. Understanding that people tend not to trust him by his very nature, Jack insists that he tells the truth more often than many would think. If you’ve followed the Johnny Depp character throughout all five films, you’d know that he’s being honest.

7. “Wherever we want to go, we’ll go.”

Jack Sparrow has a way of always winding up where he’s supposed to be. It’s not always on purpose, but it seems as if the iconic seafaring captain is typically present during those opportune moments when he’s needed most. Whether it’s removing Davy Jones from power or leading the other Pirates of the Caribbean in the war against the East India Trading Company, Jack is always headed where he wants to go.

8. “If you choose to lock your heart away, you’ll lose her for certain.”

Through the initial trilogy, Jack Sparrow is met with an interesting debacle. He must manage his preference in stabbing the heart of Davy Jones, thus becoming immortal, or giving it up for someone else he cares about, Orlando Bloom as Will Turner. In one scene, Jack references the tragedy of Jones; Jack reminds Will that if he locks his heart away from Elizabeth, he’ll lose her forever.

9. “The world is still the same; there’s just less in it.”

At some point in history, probably after the death of Blackbeard, the world outgrew the golden age of piracy. Although technical pirates still exist, the fantastical concepts of peg-legged, scurvy-ridden sea dogs that we think of were outpaced by a quickly evolving planet. Jack, somberly, is aware of this fact.

10. “No survivors? Then, where do the stories come from, I wonder?”

Reminding us that not all tails are what they seem, in one of his first scenes, from the iconic jail cell, Jack reminds some starry-eyed prisoners that their ideas of what the Black Pearl and its damned crew are may not necessarily be up-to-par. Obviously, it is a joke, as we eventually get to know the crew personally, and they gradually become less terrifying than their stories. Jack’s quote refuting claims that the crew kills all they come in contact with reminds us that gossip is just that, gossip.

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So there you have it! Although we probably could have made a list of 30 to 40 memorable quotes by the iconic Jack Sparrow, here are a few of our favorites. What are yours?