Article image

Surprisingly Profound Quotes From the ‘Star Wars’ Universe

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas created a franchise that would change the sci-fi genre forever. Since the release of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope in May 1977, the classic good-versus-evil story set amid a dazzling intergalactic backdrop has enticed generations of fans of all ages and all over the world.

The settings are gorgeous, the characters are endearing, and the action sequences are breathtaking, but behind all of that, there’s a lot of wisdom to be gleaned from the Star Wars universe — and not just from the obvious sages such as Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Countless characters throughout the cosmic tale have invaluable lessons to impart.

And now that Star Wars has expanded to include several TV shows, too, there’s endless inspiration to be found in George Lucas’ creation. Here are 17 quotes that go beyond the lightsaber duels and blaster shootouts to offer indispensable insights on life in our galaxy.

I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I’ll never see.
Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) in “Andor”

Share Quote

We have hope. Rebellions are built on hope!
Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

Share Quote

Pass on what you have learned. Strength. Mastery. But weakness, folly, failure also. Yes, failure most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is. Luke, we are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters.
Yoda (Frank Oz) in “Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi”

Share Quote

Anger and frustration are quick to give power, but they also unbalance you.
Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) in “Ahsoka”

Share Quote

Remember: Your focus determines your reality.
Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) in “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace”

Share Quote

Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is essential to a Jedi's life. So you might say that we are encouraged to love.
Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) in “Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones”

Share Quote

There are many ways to lead. You just have to find yours.
Senator Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits) in “Obi-Wan Kenobi”

Share Quote

You can’t stop change any more than you can stop the suns from setting.
Shmi Skywalker (Pernilla August) in “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace”

Share Quote

We’ve passed on all we know. A thousand generations live in you now. But this is your fight.
Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in “Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker”

Share Quote

The pace of repression outstrips our ability to understand it.
Karis Nemik (Alex Lawther) in “Andor”

Share Quote

If you live long enough, you see the same eyes in different people.
Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong’o) in “Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens”

Share Quote

Who’s the more foolish; the fool, or the fool who follows him?
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) in “Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope”

Share Quote

Sometimes even the right reasons have the wrong consequences.
Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) in “Ahsoka”

Share Quote

The ability to speak does not make you intelligent.
Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) in “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace”

Share Quote

So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause.
Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) in “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”

Share Quote

I’m not leaving my fate up to chance.
The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) in “The Mandalorian”

Share Quote

Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.
Yoda (Frank Oz) in “Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back”

Share Quote

Featured image credit: Sunset Boulevard/ Corbis Historical via Getty Images

Author image
About the Author
Brooke Robinson
Inspiring Quotes editor, bibliophile, cinephile, and curry enthusiast based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Play more header background
Play more icon
Daily Question
Fill in the blank: "They always say time changes things, but you actually have to ___." - Andy Warhol

More Inspiration

happiness theme icon

Falsehood is so easy, truth so difficult.

separator icon
George Eliot
motivation theme icon

April, dressed in all his trim, hath put a spirit of youth in everything.

separator icon
William Shakespeare
hope theme icon

It's more difficult to be simple, and it's easier to be more complicated.

separator icon
Black Francis
love theme icon

You must not try to make love definite. It is the divine accident of life.

separator icon
Sherwood Anderson
wisdom theme icon

Fear has a very concrete power of keeping us from doing and saying the things that are our purpose.

separator icon
Luvvie Ajayi
happiness theme icon

Forgiveness … is a gift of high value. Yet its cost is nothing.

separator icon
Betty Smith
motivation theme icon

I believe that one defines oneself by reinvention… To be yourself. To cut yourself out of stone.

separator icon
Henry Rollins
hope theme icon

Attention is a moral act: It creates, brings aspects of things into being.

separator icon
Iain McGilchrist
love theme icon

It’s the artists who do the dreaming for society.

separator icon
Méret Oppenheim
wisdom theme icon

A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us.

separator icon
Franz Kafka
happiness theme icon

Open to whatever you experience without fighting. Let it be present just as it is. Let go of the battle.

separator icon
Jack Kornfield