The prospect, idea, and reality of failure is not just an important part of general life but a prominent theme in Star Wars, often used in the journeys of the franchise's best heroes. Throughout the films and TV shows, as is the case with most of the franchise's major themes and narrative tools, there are many lines related to failure, with a few even being some of the most iconic Star Wars quotes.
Whether they be comments on someone else's failure, the admittance of failure, or the exploration into the idea of failure, some truly remarkable Star Wars quotes are born out of it.
Maul's Faith In His Plans
"Doubt Will Only Lead To Failure."
Maul is a character who rivals Yoda regarding the consistent brilliance of the words he utters. Every time he appears in Star Wars, he has at least one memorable quote, including this which he says while grasping at the throat of Bo-Katan through the Force.
Maul states at this moment that with the strength of him, Savage, and Death Watch, Mandalore will be ruled by them, and their shared enemies such as Kenobi and Dooku will fall. It is a chilling and underrated Maul line and one that showcases his drive and desire to succeed in his goals, to never fail in his quest to rule, to hold power, to kill Obi-Wan.
Luke's Confidence, Shot Down By Yoda
"I Won't Fail! I'm Not Afraid!"
One of the most harrowing sequences of The Empire Strikes Back sees Luke venture into the Cave of Evil on Dagobah. Before he enters to find himself in Vader's mask - a subtle hint at the identity of his father - he tells Yoda he is unafraid, that he will not fail.
Arguably more memorable than this quote that displays Luke's determination not to fail is Yoda's response; "You will be. You will be." At this point, there is definitely still arrogance and immaturity in Luke. He needs to prove he will not fail, and this exchange depicts that perfectly.
Count Dooku's Criticism Of Asajj Ventress
"A Failed Apprentice Makes A Foolish Master."
Dooku's tossing aside of Ventress is crucial in her awesome arc through Star Wars. However, for as great as Ventress is, she never has the lightsaber skills of a master duelist and dark side Force user like Dooku. To him, she was a failure.
This line is cruel and eloquently spoken by Dooku as he battles his former apprentice. He is not entirely wrong either. Ventress was, at this time, incapable of being a Master to Savage. But, calling her a failure when he only cast her out at Palpatine's orders is wildly harsh.
Yoda Leaves For Dagobah
"Failed I Have, Into Exile I Must Go."
Yoda has a few quotes regarding failure in Star Wars, but rarely does he speak about his own shortcomings. Here, he admits defeat to Darth Sidious and deems it best to go into exile.
It is heartbreaking to see a hero as powerful and as incredible as Yoda so let down by himself and forced into submission. For all the wise lessons Yoda teaches characters and fans alike, and for all the power he holds, he is not free from the shackles of failure.
Obi-Wan's Heartbreaking Admission
"I Have Failed You Anakin. I Have Failed You."
The victory of Darth Sidious and the dark side of the Force in the prequel trilogy meant the failure of all Jedi, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, who not only failed in the overall mission to stop the Clone Wars and the dark side but also as Anakin's Jedi Master.
At least that is what Obi-Wan believes, something he passionately says to Anakin as his body burns on the Mustafar lava. This entire monologue is incredible and one of the saddest pieces of dialogue in the prequel trilogy. It is a failure on a far more personal level for Obi-Wan, and every line from this exchange is seared in the minds of prequel fans.
Anakin Blames Himself
"I Wasn't Strong Enough To Save You, Mom. I Wasn't Strong Enough. But I Won't Fail Again."
The loss of Shmi Skywalker is a crucial moment in the fall of Anakin Skywalker. Losing his mother furthered all of his fears of loss and sent him further down the dark path than anyone at the time could see - except for Palpatine.
Anakin blamed himself for her death. As he states here, he believed he failed her, making her death all the more heartbreaking. It is the worst thing that happens to Anakin in the first two-thirds of the trilogy. For all the criticism of Attack of the Clones' dialogue, this is a memorable line from the young Skywalker.
Darth Vader Gets Sick Of Ozzel
"You Have Failed Me For The Last Time, Admiral."
While Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker is known as one of the saga's most tragic and complex characters, that does not take away from his badassery and brutality, which are on full display when he kills Admiral Ozzel from across the Executor.
Failure does not need to refer to the grand concept or substantial emotional issues. Sometimes they can just be a failure to follow and execute orders satisfactorily. That is what gets Ozzel on the end of a Force choke and one of Vader's most iconic original trilogy lines.
Yoda Tells Luke His Disbelief Is His Downfall
"That Is Why You Fail."
So much of what Yoda has to teach Luke on Dagobah in The Empire Strikes Back has to do with overcoming his immaturity and his rashness, to trust in the Force. Luke's inability to do so prompts this response.
Yoda lifts Luke's X-Wing from the Dagobah swamp as if it were nothing, to which Luke says he cannot believe it after watching it. This response is a direct and blunt statement used to get through to Luke and show him that his inability to trust the Force leads him to failure.
Luke's Most Heroic Moment
"You Have Failed Your Highness. I Am A Jedi Like My Father Before Me."
Luke Skywalker inspired generations of people around the world with his legendary heroics in the original trilogy. If there is one quote from the young Skywalker to sum up how amazing of a Jedi he is, it is this.
In this instance, failure is a great thing. It is not a hero failing to save the Galaxy or help their friend, nor is it someone failing to understand their training, it is the big bad failing to turn the hero to the dark side. While the subject of the line is failure, it is a message of hope that will forever get cheered by fans.
Yoda Drops More Wisdom On Luke In The Last Jedi (2017)
"The Greatest Teacher Failure Is."
Yoda's appearance in The Last Jedi was on par with his time in The Empire Strikes Back in terms of the quality of quotes he provides while teaching Luke. This quote about failure may be his best in the saga.
Failure is burdened by a stigma of negativity. What Yoda is putting across to his old friend and student is that failure is to be embraced; it teaches people more than success ever could. This whole sequence is incredible, and it just goes to show that no matter what an individual experiences, no matter how much they know, how powerful they are, they can always stand to learn a thing or two from someone who cares for them and who has experienced so much more.