There aren’t many franchises more iconic and beloved than Star Wars, the sci-fi giant that blends planet-hopping wonders with mystical lore and epic space battles. Star Wars does many things right (and many things wrong), but one aspect of a successful franchise is how quotable it is, and Star Wars isn’t lacking in that department, delivering at least one memorable line in every movie or TV series.
With hundreds of quotes to use in any situation, this list will highlight 10 of the most genius based on creativity, wisdom, memorability, profoundness, popularity, and how smart it is. Some of these quotes may be typically popular and others may be wise deep cuts, but they are all genius lines that prove Star Wars can have good writing when it wants to.
10
“Do or do not, there is no try.”
Yoda is arguably the wisest character in the Star Wars franchise, and no, it’s not just because he talks in a funny way. Fans can pull dozens of profound quotes from him, but one of his best and most iconic is “do or do not, there is no try” from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
This quote not only helps Luke (Mark Hamill) in his training but is also a life lesson for many fans. This means that one does something or doesn’t do something. Even if they failed, they did it and can learn from it to improve in the future. If someone doesn’t do something, then that is the end of the story. Yoda is saying there is no such thing as trying.
9
“That’s just love, nothing you can do about it.”
Andor recently came to an end, winning multiple Emmys and becoming the best Star Wars TV show of all time. With impeccable writing and phenomenal acting, it was bound to produce a handful of memorable quotes, such as “that’s just love, nothing you can do about it.” Maarva Andor (Fiona Shaw) utters these words to her son, Cassian (Diego Luna), during their final conversation.
Some fans might have expected quotes that are wise about life and specific, important lessons, but love conquers reason in many scenarios. Love is a tricky thing, and like the quote says, sometimes nothing can be done about it. It is a simple feeling that drives every human to do what they do, and it may either get in the way or help the one feeling it. This scene was a touching final moment between mother and son that would reflect their relationship and what’s to come.
8
“May the Force be with you.”
Of course, this quote was going to make this list, considering it is probably the most popular and well-known among die-hards and casual fans alike. “May the Force be with you” was first said in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope by General Jan Dodonna (Alex McCrindle), but it would be a line that almost every character gets a chance to say.
“May the Force be with you” isn’t the most genius quote on its own, since it doesn’t hold much weight outside the universe. However, this list would be remiss not to include a line as iconic as this. No matter the odds, no matter the danger, the force is always with the strong of heart. This quote serves as a good luck charm and a friendly reminder that the force is within us all.
7
“Tell him I love him more than anything he could do wrong.”
Love is a constant theme in Star Wars, as represented by a couple of quotes on this list, including “tell him I love him more than anything he could do wrong.” Andor gets another mention on this list, this time with Brasso (Joplin Sibtain), who says this to Andor on behalf of Maarva.
This quote is in a similar vein to the other quote about love, also in Andor. However, while the other one was more general, this is more personal and related to Andor. It represents the intense love between any two people and how nothing can get between them. It is a sweet sentiment and something that most people can understand firsthand.
6
“I have a bad feeling about this.”
There will be a few quotes on this list that are simply iconic, and not necessarily genius, such as “I have a bad feeling about this.” First said in A New Hope by Luke, this line would reappear in most films and television series because of how popular and memorable it is.
“I have a bad feeling about this” could apply to almost every scenario in Star Wars, and it is, therefore, a genius quote in that way. Creating a line everyone can connect to Star Wars and use in everyday life deserves to be on this list for its influence and popularity alone.
Once again, Andor finds a spot on this list, further proving its excellence in a variety of ways. One of the greatest characters in the show was Luthen (Stellan Skarsgård), and one of his greatest quotes came when speaking to Lonni (Robert Emms) about his role in the rebellion. “I’m condemned to use the tools of my enemy to defeat them.”
Fans imagine hope and resistance when thinking about the rebellion, but Luthen represents a darker necessity that was key in fighting the Empire. This quote implies that he must employ the vile tactics and technology developed by the Empire if he hopes to defeat them. This fascinating quote speaks to the worldbuilding and flow of war, representing that, despite being evil, the Empire’s tactics were effective and even necessary to destroy them.
4
“Never tell me the odds.”
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The original trilogy is a treasure trove of quotes, especially The Empire Strikes Back, and one of the best is “never tell me the odds.” Han Solo (Harrison Ford) says this to C3PO (Anthony Daniels) after the latter gives him the improbable odds of success.
Like a few quotes on this list, “never tell me the odds” is iconic and endlessly quotable. Besides relevant context, it can represent much more, including more about Han’s character and the themes of Star Wars and the rebellion. Hope doesn’t rely on the odds; if one believes they can do it, then they can, and this quote reflects that perfectly.
3
“The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is unnatural.”
Andor had a winning night at the Emmys, including writing, which goes to show the quality of this Star Wars series. The final quote on this list from it is “the Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is unnatural.” This is a line from Karis Nemik’s (Alex Lawther) manifesto, an important reading that would become a key symbol of the rebellion in future years.
Quotes don’t necessarily need to relate to the outside world and real happenings, but sometimes, they reflect reality to an almost eerie degree. Such is the case with this one, which suggests that extreme control is forced because it isn’t authentic and contradicts many fundamental human principles.
2
“We are what they grow beyond, such is the burden of all masters.”
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi was a polarizing film, but even if fans didn’t like the movie, they have to admit that it did have some great quotes, including another piece of Yoda wisdom. He says, “We are what they grow beyond, such is the burden of all masters,” to Luke, referencing Rey (Daisy Ridley).
Master and student is a common theme and narrative in Star Wars, so a quote about it is only natural, but none feels more genius and profound than this one. The goal of a master is to make their student more powerful than them, and while it may be difficult, that is the purpose and burden they all must endure. It is a poetic quote about the worldbuilding and themes in Star Wars.
1
“So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause?”
The prequel trilogy isn’t known for its groundbreaking writing — quite the opposite, in fact, with many instances of poor writing and awkward delivery. However, one quote that proves it’s not all bad comes from Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, when Padme (Natalie Portman) says, “So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause?”
When the Galactic Senate gives total control to Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), only Padme seems to realize the grave mistake they made. Everyone is proud of their decision, but they don’t know that their leader has no interest in them or the well-being of the world, only their selfish desires for power. While it was a wonderfully written and applicable quote, what makes it genius is how relevant it is to today’s politics.
- Created by
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George Lucas
- First TV Show
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Star Wars The Clone Wars
