Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was often the most reasonable voices in the entire Star Wars universe, except when the ideas he expressed were completely ridiculous. The lauded warrior was a maverick among the Jedi, which already made him dangerous in the eyes of many. In some ways, this actually made him better counsel, but to others it made him blind to the obvious threats seen by his fellow Jedi, like his pupil, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Star Wars has some of the best quotes out of any franchise, many of which belong to Qui-Gon, but the Jedi Master is also the source of some of the most idiotic statements made in the series. Here are 5 times Qui-Gon Jinn inspired us with his words, and 5 times he left us scratching our heads.
Wowed Us: "There Is Always Hope"
In a spoiler for A New Hope, Qui-Gon told Master Yoda that "There is always hope, my friend, though it often comes in forms not looked for. The key is knowing how to see it and seizing that opportunity."
He could never know how correct he was given that his demise occurred before his young "Chosen One" became the worst menace to the galaxy... before saving it. Qui-Gon's words are especially inspiring when watching the trilogy in order according to chronological time rather than by the order in which they were made.
Fell Flat: "Finding Him Was The Will Of The Force"
In Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon was so pleased to have found the young Jedi who would come to be known as the "Chosen One," despite Obi-Wan's wariness. He remarked that finding Anakin Skywalker "was the will of the Force," and that he had "no doubt about that."
This contradicts the Jinn who doubts the Force in general. Characters have definitely been changed before and since Jinn, but this quote makes him seem out of character. It also makes it clear that he had no sense of Anakin's real future.
Wowed Us: "The Situation Here Is Not What It Seems"
Nothing is what it seems in sci-fi and fantasy, but sometimes we need it pointed out for us. That's what Qui-Gon did, warning that "The situation here is not what it seems. There is something else behind all this, Your Highness. There is no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you."
Delivered in Liam Neeson's commanding voice, Qui-Gon's words set the Star Wars saga's tone, foreshadowing not only Darth Sidious's actions but those of every villain to follow, including the one Amidala would fall in love with--who did, indeed, destroy her.
Fell Flat: "The Ability To Speak Does Not Make You Intelligent"
While Qui-Gon's quote, "The ability to speak does not make you intelligent," makes us laugh when it's directed at Jar Jar Binks, it's actually quite wrong. Sure, Binks is far from smart and often makes us wince, but in relative terms the ability to communicate is exactly what makes a creature intelligent.
As a Jedi, Qui-Gon should especially know this, not only because it's true in the case of humans versus all other animals, but because communicating is vital in terms of preventing war. Perhaps Obi-Wan Kenobi, who was better known for his negotiation skills, would understand this better.
Wowed Us: "There Is Nothing More Valuable Than A Friend"
Qui-Gon espoused poignant truths we hold dear. In his words, "There are many realities in the universe, some of them quite harsh. One reality that is inescapable is that there is nothing more valuable than a friend. More than food, more than shelter, and more than weaponry, an ally can save your life."
This was while assisting the Wookiees in their battle against the Trade Federation, but it applies in much of life. Of course, Obi-Wan Kenobi later told Luke that "many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view," which is also true.
Fell Flat: "The Queen Doesn't Need To Know"
When Qui-Gon told Padmé (disguised as a handmaiden) that "the queen doesn't need to know" that they were trusting their fate to a boy they barely knew, it was meant to be funny. His casual disregard for the queen, however, was a huge mistake, not to mention one that he did not think twice about making in front of her handmaiden.
Qui-Gon's senses should have revealed the truth. Although it's implied that he did know to whom he was talking to at the time by his smirk later, the impertinence still makes him seem like a jerk.
Wowed Us: "Your Focus Determines Your Reality"
How many times do we notice that we have untrue thoughts that become self-fulfilling prophecies when we think negatively all of the time? "Law of Attraction" jokes aside, we definitely invite more of what we constant think about into our lives just by thinking about it because it makes us notice those things even more.
When Qui-Gon reminds us that "Your focus determines your reality," he is suggesting that we do focus on what we want to happen and how to get there rather than all of the horrors, which would have really helped Obi-Wan had he followed this advice.
Fell Flat: "You Must Never Leave It To Another To Act In Your Place"
While Qui Gon's quote "Secrets must be exposed when found. Detours must be taken when encountered. And if you are the one who stands at the crossroads or the place of concealment, you must never leave it to another to act in your place" initially sounds sagacious, the advice certainly didn't pan out very well.
The Jedi themselves are full of secrets, including Master Yoda himself. Detours have led our heroes into terrible danger, and leaving Anakin's training to Obi-Wan Kenobi (acting in Qui-Gon's stead) may have doomed millions of lives. Jinn simply didn't walk his talk here.
Wowed Us: "You Can Forestall A Battle"
Despite his rogue status as a Jedi, Qui-Gon knew when to pick his battles, a lesson he passed on to Obi-Wan. He said that "Most beings in the galaxy do not kill without purpose. If you can discover what that purpose is, you can forestall a battle," advice Obi-Wan took to heart.
Following Qui-Gon's loss, Obi-Wan became one of most celebrated Jedi Knights, often preventing a fight with his keen negotiation skills, earning him the nickname "The Negotiator." It's only too bad that Obi-Wan couldn't apply his skills to his own teaching experience, which could have prevented much loss.
Fell Flat: "I Don't Sense Anything"
When Obi-Wan Kenobi told his master that he had a bad feeling, Qui-Gon disregarded his Padawan's concerns, which is something a teacher should never do. When Qui-Gon said, "I don't sense anything," not only was he invalidating Obi-Wan's own sense with the Force but he was proving that he truly sensed nothing of the horrors to come.
Some argue that he sensed nothing because Anakin would have stayed the course had Qui-Gon remained his teacher, which is a valid point, but that still leaves the fact that he didn't honor his own pupil's feelings and intuitions with the Force.