When Darth Maul debuted in Star Wars back in 1999, he was a fairly one-dimensional yet awesome badass. Nobody could have predicted that he survived the Duel of the Fates and would subsequently drop the Darth and ascend into one of the most layered and brilliant villains in the entire franchise, a claim which gets backed up by not only Maul's actions but his quotes.
Throughout The Clone Wars and Rebels, in particular, Maul has a slew of quotes that encapsulate the excellence of the character and how good of a villain he is.
His Reunion With Obi-Wan Kenobi
"You May Have Forgotten Me, But I Will Never Forget You. You Cannot Imagine The Depths I Would Go, To Stay Alive, Fueled By My Singular Hatred For You!"
One of the most unexpected things to happen in Star Wars was the return of Maul, not just because it seemed impossible and ludicrous, but because it was done so expertly by Lucas, Filoni, and everyone else involved.
This quote is his reunion with Obi-Wan and sums up how he had been feeling for all those years since the Duel of the Fates. He festered away, somehow, someway managing to survive, fueled by the most villainous of things; hatred and a lust for vengeance.
When He Vocalizes His Obsession Before Killing Satine
"It Was I Who Languished For Years Thinking Of Nothing But You, Nothing But This Moment, And Now The Perfect Tool For My Vengeance Is In Front Of Us. I Never Planned On Killing You, But I Will Make You Share My Pain, Kenobi."
One of the most heartbreaking and harrowing moments in Star Wars TV history is the death of Satine Kryze, who gets murdered in cold blood by Maul with the Darksaber right in front of Obi-Wan.
Maul delivers this monologue to Obi-Wan before fatally piercing Satine with the blade, showcasing both the suffering Maul underwent for all those years and highlighting the sick need he has to make Obi-Wan feel that same pain. It is one of Maul's evilest acts, and given how he does so after brilliantly taking over Mandalore, it makes him all the better.
When He Tells Savage Of A Surefire Way To Garner The Attention Of The Jedi
"In A Galaxy At War, Savage, There Is Only One Way To Get The Attention Of A Jedi; Slaughter Of The Innocent, Mercilessly, And Without Compromise."
Maul and Savage Opress are one of the best duos in The Clone Wars, and his brother often brings out both the intelligence and cruelty in Maul, best shown by this goosebump-inducing quote that showcases how twisted Maul kind of knows he is.
He is so ready and willing to mass murder lives that he knows are innocent, all in his conquest of revenge. His motives are understandable on a basic level. Still, the way he seeks out revenge and his willingness to do such horrific things are far from comprehensible, making him a disgusting yet terrific villain.
His Sole Purpose
"Revenge. I Must Have Revenge."
Villains like Darth Sidious are driven by a need for power, a want to take over the Galaxy and be the most powerful being in it. While Maul also would like this, at his core, his motives are rawer, more understandable to audiences.
This is a simple quote that sums up a lot of Maul's journey in Star Wars. He wants revenge against Obi-Wan, he wants revenge against Darth Sidious and revenge against everyone and anyone who crosses him or betrays him in his life.
When He Realizes His Life Will Be Long & Cold
"My Life Ends Only When My Rage Has Been Vented... When My Need For Vengeance Is Satisfied. It Will Be A Long Life. And Oh So Cold."
Given the fact that he was taken as a child and raised in the dark side of the Force, infused with hatred and a lust for vengeance, Maul very well be one of the most tragic characters in Star Wars.
This makes him a much better villain, it adds layers to him that are often missing from the forgettable, one-note villains in pop culture. In this line from Darth Maul #2, Maul knows how cold his life will be, but it is a life of violence and rage in which he can thrive in his sick way.
When He Speaks On Pain
"I Have Become Indifferent To Pain."
What makes the likes of Darth Vader so good is not just their unmatched badassery but the tragedy and pain that their life is riddled with. Maul may not be on that level, but his life still sees more pain than most.
Here, in the excellent, must-read comic run Son Of Dathomir, Maul gives this simple line that tells the reader all they need to know about Maul's suffering; he has undergone an abundance of it and no longer notices its effects.
His Last Words
"He... Will... Avenge Us."
One of the most incredible pieces of Star Wars out there is the Rebels episode "Twin Suns," particularly the final encounter between Maul and Obi-Wan, which is pure art poetry.
Maul was someone who could never let go of his hatred and anger. He could never bring himself to the point of having a redemption story. It was not until his death that Maul felt peace of any kind, believing Luke would avenge what the Emperor had done to not only him but to Obi-Wan.
When He Speaks On Destruction
"There Is A Purpose For Everything In The Galaxy... And A Way To Destroy It."
One of the Mauls' more underappreciated traits is his brain, he is one of the most intelligent villains in Star Wars but focuses this intelligence towards destruction and his personal goals.
This is a quote he says while captured by Sidious, making clear that he knows Sidious is using him for some reason or another, but confident in the fact he can destroy his former Master and burn his plans to the ground.
When His Fear Shines Through
"Let Me Go! Let Me Die! You're All Going To Burn! We're All Going To Die! You Don't Know What You're Doing!"
Villains in Star Wars rarely display fear, but when they do, it is so often goosebump-inducing. Look at the Grand Inquisitor's death in Rebels or the Second Sister's trembling before she is killed by Vader. This is the most significant display of Maul's fear.
Maul got captured by the 332nd Company, by Ahsoka, and by the Mandalorians to be given over to the Republic. But he would rather have died because he knows what his former Master is about to do to the Republic and the Galaxy. It is a fascinating yet terrifying moment to watch.
His Iconic Scream
"KENOBI!"
Maul has so many iconic moments through his time in Star Wars, from the Duel of the Fates to his duel with Ahsoka to his death. This scream on the deserts of Tatooine may well be his best.
Maul traipses through the sandy oceans of Tatooine, dragging himself with every fiber of his being, fuelled by a burning loathing for his greatest rival. The rivalry between Obi-Wan and Maul makes the former a better character and the latter a better villain, and this moment vocalizes in a painful scream the revulsion Maul held for Obi-Wan for decades.