Mace Windu has become one of the most memorable and frequently quoted characters from the Star Wars prequel era. Samuel L. Jackson brought the character to life in the prequel trilogy films and the character has been further developed in The Clone Wars television show, along with numerous novels and comics.
Stoic and powerful, but stuck in his way of thinking, Mace has come to represent a lot of what is wrong with the Jedi in this era of Star Wars. This is best captured by his quotes, from his disdainful jabs aimed at Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano to the bold declarations he makes when confronting an enemy.
"I Have Dismantled And Destroyed Over 100,000 Of You Type One Battle Droids."
In The Clone Wars season 7 episode "Unfinished Business" Mace Windu tries to take a different approach by speaking directly to the Separatist droids, urging them to surrender and be reprogrammed for a better purpose. Direct as ever, Mace tries to appeal to them by bluntly stating how many battle droids he has dismantled and destroyed during the Clone Wars.
This diplomatic approach doesn't work as the droids still end up firing on him, but it's interesting to see him take a different approach and try to appeal to them with logic.
"We Will Not Be Hostages To Be Bartered, Dooku!"
Mace Windu is uncompromising and doesn't mince words. When Count Dooku tells Mace and the other Jedi to surrender, Mace immediately shoots down this proposal.
He is proud, resilient, and will never allow himself or his fellow Jedi to be treated like powerless hostages. He will proudly and confidently defend his principles, even when outnumbered and hopelessly surrounded by his enemies.
"How Can It Be A Plan If It's Improvised?"
Mace Windu believes there is only one right way to do things. He lacks flexibility and adaptability and struggles to understand those who don't operate as he does.
This is clearly emphasized when Obi-Wan tells him that Anakin is improvising his plan and Mace cannot understand this concept. For him, improvisation means there's not a plan at all. This is one of many reasons why he and Anakin struggle to connect.
"If What You've Told Me Is True, You Will Have Gained My Trust."
Mace Windu never liked or supported Anakin Skywalker. When Qui-Gon Jinn urges the Jedi Council to meet with young Anakin in The Phantom Menace, Mace seems exasperated by the whole situation and asserts that Anakin is too old to begin his Jedi training. His disdain and distrust of Anakin develop further as Anakin becomes a Jedi Knight.
That makes this moment a big deal as Mace finally talks to Anakin with respect and sincerity. When Anakin comes directly to Mace and informs him that Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord, Mace's negative attitude toward Anakin changes. If Anakin hadn't interfered when Mace confronted Palpatine, Mace and Anakin could've finally fostered a positive relationship.
"In The Name Of The Galactic Senate Of The Republic, You're Under Arrest, Chancellor."
When Mace Windu goes to arrest Chancellor Palpatine, he wastes no time in stating his intentions. From his perspective, Palpatine's ruse is over. Mace Windu believes in the Republic and he will not tolerate another second of Palpatine manipulating the system.
Invoking the name of the Republic and the Senate shows Palpatine that a higher authority is vouching for his arrest, an authority that will hopefully be restored when Palpatine is arrested and removed from power. Despite all that impressive bravado, the situation doesn't work out so well for Mace or the Jedi who accompany him.
"But Which Was Destroyed? The Master Or The Apprentice?"
At Qui-Gon Jinn's funeral, Yoda references the Sith Rule of Two. Mace replies with the essential question of whether the Sith Lord Darth Maul was the master or apprentice.
Mace is stating the obvious question here, but it's still a great cliffhanger moment for the prequel trilogy as this question looms over the Jedi. The Sith have returned and the Jedi are clueless about their enemy's real identities, whereabouts, or deeper motives, unaware that Darth Sidious is under their noses the entire time.
"I'm Sorry, Citizen. These Matters Are For The Council To Discuss."
Mace Windu is downright rude and elitist when he refers to Ahsoka Tano as a "citizen" who is not fit for a discussion with the Jedi Council. Ahsoka is no longer a member of the Jedi Order at this point, but she was a Jedi for many years and represented them with honor. She left the problematic Jedi Order after Mace Windu and others like him quickly accused and turned their backs on her after she was framed for the Jedi Temple bombing.
Ahsoka did them a great service again by capturing Maul and liberating Mandalore. She now has the chance to share essential information regarding Maul and Anakin Skywalker, but she's unable to because of Mace's dismissive treatment. If he gave her a chance to share what she knew, things could have gone very differently for the Jedi, yet he was too proud and insisted on sticking to his rigid ways.
"He Has Control Of The Senate And The Courts. He's Too Dangerous To Be Left Alive."
Mace Windu tries to take the law into his own hands. After he's unable to arrest Chancellor Palpatine and Palpatine strikes down several Jedi, Mace tries to kill him. He believes it's the only way to protect the galaxy and ensure that Palpatine receives justice.
Mace is right that the once democratic system of the Republic probably won't bring Palpatine to justice as the system is rigged by Palpatine's corrupt influence. He reacts out of fear and this makes it all the easier for Palpatine to manipulate him.
"This Party's Over."
When Mace Windu declares that the party is over, it's over. It's an epic entrance as Mace Windu emerges from the shadows, purple lightsaber ignited and tells Count Dooku, Jango Fett, and the Separatist leaders that their shenanigans in the execution arena are over.
Mace Windu and the Jedi are going to take charge of the situation now. After seeing the character do little more than sit in a chair on the Jedi Council, it's thrilling to see him in action.
"You Are On This Council, But We Do Not Grant You The Rank Of Master."
Mace Windu's long-held disdain toward Anakin builds toward this ultimate slap in the face. He is the one to tell Anakin that he's finally on the Jedi Council, just as Anakin always wanted.
He pulls out the rug from underneath Anakin in this same moment as he also asserts that Anakin is still not a Jedi Master. Anakin may have to be on the Jedi Council to appease Chancellor Palpatine, but that doesn't mean Mace Windu will respect or honor him in any way. It's a delightfully petty moment from a normally stoic character.