Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is coming to cinemas soon and we’re all excited to catch the final instalment of the Skywalker saga. It’s been 42 years, 8 episodes and numerous quotes that changed lives and transcended the Star Wars discourse. Here are 10 on our list of quotes you never knew were from Star Wars (or you already might).
Do or do not. There is no try.
Who said it? Yoda
Which movie? The Empire Strikes Back
This is undoubtedly one of the most legendary quotes to come out of Yoda – and maybe even the entire Star Wars lore.
In the movie, Luke’s X-Wing fighter sinks into the mire of Dagobah. Luke was positive that he was never going to see his X-wing again. Yoda directs him to use the Force to lift it up but Luke doubts his own ability and said: “he’ll try”. To which Yoda responds with this quote.
What Yoda means by this is that Luke’s lack of confidence sets himself up for failure. When Luke says “he’ll try” it’s essentially rationalising failure in his head, giving himself the permission to fail and eventually makes it impossible to achieve success. What Yoda tries to impart onto the farm boy is that he should do it like as if he already knows how to. That Luke shouldn’t overthink and analyse things so much. That he should just. Do. Because only then, he’ll succeed.
I Find Your Lack Of Faith Disturbing.
Who said it? Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker
Which movie? A New Hope
This is an iconic quote. Why iconic? Well, simply because it’s Vader being a total badass. Fans of Star Wars or Vader himself knows how strongly he believes in the Force. In this scene, Conan Antonio Motti claims that the Death Star is the “ultimate power in the universe”. Vader turns on him and tells him that the Death Star is insignificant against the power of the Force. Motti retorts and scoffs at the war lord’s “sad devotion” to the “ancient religion”. It is at this moment Vader utters the phrase and almost chokes Motti to death with the Force. What’s more sexy and badass than a man who stands by his own beliefs and proves he’s right with such confidence?
Speaking of sexy, this quote and scene spawned a meme about kinky choking that fans can’t seem to let go of.
You Were The Chosen One!
Who said it? Obi-Wan Kenobi
Which movie? Revenge of the Sith
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker had a close relationship until Anakin succumbed to the dark side. After Padme failed to bring him back to the light side, Anakin choked her and accused Obi-Wan for turning his lover against him. The two friends then entered an intense duel on the lava, fiery planet of Mustafar. It was during the duel when Anakin proclaims his faith towards the dark side and disappoints his old friend and master greatly.
“You were the chosen one,” Obi-Wan says. “It was said you were supposed to destroy the Sith, not join them. Bring balance to the force, not leave it in darkness”.
Anakin responds by telling him that he hates Obi-Wan, only to receive a heartwarming response back: “You were my brother Anakin, I loved you.”
The lava then engulfs Anakin. The scene was incredibly emotional and touching, just as it was sad and painful. It’s a beautiful scene that Star Wars fans can’t forget, but it’s somewhat ruined by the number of memes the quote has generated. The quote is used to show disappointment in someone or something you saw as promising. It’s also been referenced in other pop-culture media such Game of Thrones when Daenery Targaryen enacted violence on Kings Landing in the final season and in this video where the scene was translated in Google Translate Japan.
It’s A Trap!
Who said it? Admiral Ackbar
Which movie? Return of the Jedi
This quote came from Admiral Ackbar during the Battle of Endor. In the movie, the Alliance mobilise its forces in an effort to destroy the Death Star but Admiral Ackbar encounters an unexpected ambush – leading him to exclaim “It’s a trap!”. The quote has been made into another internet meme and is used as a reaction image to warn others of an incoming prank. It was even re-enacted in an episode of Family Guy.
Stay On Target.
Who said it? Gold Five
Which movie? A New Hope
In A New Hope, Gold Five reminded the squad to “stay on target” during the Battle of Yavin. The Battle of Yavin is also known as the Battle of the Death Star or the Miracle of Yavin. It was a major battle of the Galactic Civil War and was the first battle that destroyed a Death Star. Destroying a Death Star crippled the Empire and was one of the major victories of the Rebel Alliance. This probably wouldn’t have happened if Gold Five hadn’t gotten the squad to focus and stay on target when despite facing major loses at the start of the battle. The Battle of Yavin may have caused the alliance many beloved pilots and fighter wings, it was not for nothing when the Alliance turned out victorious.
So This Is How Liberty Dies… With Thunderous Applause.
Who said it? Padme Amidala
Which movie? Revenge of the Sith
Revenge of the Sith saw how the Republic got destroyed by its own Chancellor. Palpatine crowned himself Emperor and promised meagre scraps of security, stability and prosperity. Padme’s was left disappointed when her fellow Senators did not protest. Instead of keeping their vows to protect liberty and democracy and protesting Palpatine, they cheered and applauded him instead. Padme was heartbroken but not at all surprised. This line is an incredibly accurate descriptor of human nature in politics and has, in fact, rings true in the world of politics – years after the prequels (e.g. Trump’s America, Brexit in the EU).
Help Me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re My Only Hope.
Who said it? Leia Organa
Which movie? A New Hope
This quote right here is when the epic adventure we now know and love as A New Hope begun.
In the movie, Princess Leia’s ship has been taken over by Darth Vader. Being the brilliant woman she is, Leia left a message pleading for the help of a man called Obi-Wan Kenobi with R2-D2. R2-D2 escaped the ship, landed on Tatooine and was captured and sold to Luke Skywalker’s uncle. Luke accidentally triggered part of the message when he was cleaning the droid. The message? “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”
Safe to say Luke left home to find Obi-Wan and the rest is history.
It’s True. All Of It.
Who said it? Han Solo
Which movie? The Force Awakens
Han was initially a non-believer of the force. He’s travelled to quite possibly all ends of the galaxy and places his faith in his blaster in keeping him alive instead – not some “hokey religion”. And being the atheist that he is, Han hates the idea of an external power that controls his destiny. But after all he’s been through in the Star Wars storyline, he’s been changed. He submitted to the fact that the Force exists when Rey asks about the Jedis. “It’s true. All of it,” he says.
Hello There.
Who said it? Obi-Wan Kenobi
Which movie? Revenge of the Sith
As if we can’t love Obi-Wan more than we already do, this cheeky moment of forced politeness is something that tickles us. Obi-Wan is courteous and respectful, even when he’s jumping into a sea of angry battle droids.
Obi-Wan said “hello there” to get the attention of Grievous who was showing his back towards him (how rude). So the next time you’re about to get into a confrontation or want to enter the room with style, be like Obi-Wan – drop down from the top and politely say “hello there.”
I’m Altering The Deal.
Who said it? Darth Vader
Which movie? The Empire Strikes Back
In The Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader broke his promise to keep Leia and Chewbacca under the protection of Lando Calrissian. When Lando calls him out for it, Vader responded: “I am altering the deal. Pray I don’t alter it any further.”
Vader basically told Lando: “Deal with it.” And when a Sith Lord with the ability to choke you to your death without physically laying a finger on you tells you to deal with it.. you..deal with it.
And just like the meme, we know as ‘Deal with it’, “I am altering the deal” soon became a meme too. It is often used to respond to someone’s disapproval of change.
There you have it, 10 quotes you never knew were from Star Wars. I have taught you everything I know. And you have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be.
How many of these quotes do you know of? What are some of your own favourite Star Wars quotes? And have you geared yourself up with all the things you need to know before catching Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker?
Don’t judge a book by its cover, for behind all this makeup, is a geek just like you. To simply put it, superheroes, Star Wars, Harry Potter and all things gore and creepy makes this girly girl swoon.
Trinity Sun
Natalie
