The Star Wars franchise has seen many iconic characters throughout the years - from heroes like Luke Skywalker to villains like Darth Vader, from scoundrels like Han Solo to heroines like Leia Organa. Undoubtedly, one of the most recognizable and wisest characters in the franchise is Grandmaster Yoda.
Introduced in The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda is equal parts mysterious and eccentric, and in his old age, became one of the wisest and most powerful beings in the Galaxy. This wisdom, along with his eccentricity in speech, gave way to a plethora of fantastic lines.
"All His Life Has He Looked Away … To The Future, To The Horizon. Never On His Mind Where He Was. Hmm? What Was He Doing?" - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
One of the highlights of the original trilogy was the training between Yoda and Luke - every frame was fantastic and filled with constant displays of wisdom from Yoda.
From what we knew of Luke by this point, he was impatient, reckless, desperate for adventure and a place amongst the stars. Yoda knew this and lets him know his thoughts, pointing out to Luke that his mind needs to be focused and in the present where he is, instead of dreaming of a future.
"In This War, A Danger There Is, Of Losing Who We Are." - The Clone Wars (2008 - 2020)
The wisdom in this quote lies in its ultimate truth. To everyone outside of the Jedi Order, the Jedi had lost sight of who they were, and many even inside the Order felt this way, such as Ahsoka, Barriss, Qui-Gon, and Dooku.
Yoda is always mindful of this, unsupportive of war, but aware of its necessity. Yoda tried hard to uncover the truth of the war, and came so close, finding so many pieces of the puzzle, but not in time to stop it from destroying everything.
"Always With You, It Cannot Be Done." - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
There are many quotes by the famous Jedi that are open-ended and interpretive, but in terms of training, Yoda does have his messages for those who choose to listen.
Here, Yoda tells Luke that he is too negative and too stubborn to open up his mind to the possibilities, therefore limiting himself. Luke must be more open to the Force if he is to get anywhere.
"Luminous Beings Are We, Not This Crude Matter." - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Throughout Empire, Luke struggled with the Force and becoming immersed in it. He was so impatient, rather than focusing on the Force and the moment.
Yoda tells Luke that what we have, and what we are, comes from the inside - comes from the Force - not from our physical nature. Power and wisdom come from the Force, not the body.
"Smaller In Number Are We, But Larger In Mind." - The Clone Wars (2008 - 2020)
Yoda's size automatically makes him an underdog, but he is still one of the most powerful beings in the Galaxy.
Despite being just he and three clones up against battalions of clones, Yoda kept confidence, knowing that their knowledge, their minds, and their place in the Force is essential and will guide them to victory, not their number.
"You Must Unlearn What You Have Learned." - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Moving back to Yoda's training of Luke, Yoda's lifting of the X-wing from the swamp is one of the greatest scenes and monologues in the franchise, and one of the wisest.
Luke has such a narrow mind - such a singular focus and vision - that he does not open up and let himself believe in the infinite possibilities. He believes in only what he knows, not what he could know. Yoda tells him he must believe and stop being so narrow-minded and arrogant to the possibilities and to forget what he thinks he knows.
"No Longer Certain That One Ever Does Win A War, I Am." - The Clone Wars (2008 - 2020)
This quote relates to one from Empire: "Wars not make one great." Yoda claims that through all the bloodshed, war is already a loss, and this truly shows his heart as a Jedi.
While the war is fought for peace, it becomes muddled in politics in the Dark Side, making some Jedi confused by it all. Yoda knows war is not good and is unsure if it can be won, but remains confident that victory will come, not in the war, but as he says, for all time.
"Once You Start Down A Dark Path, Forever Will It Dominate Your Destiny." - Return Of The Jedi (1983)
Yoda warns Luke repeatedly of the dangers of the Dark Side of the Force and, on his deathbed, tells Luke that the Dark Side will dominate his destiny.
This is another interpretative quote by Yoda, but it seems clear that he is telling Luke that even if a return is possible, once you turn to the Dark Side, it will consume your life and suffering, pain, anger, and hatred will be prominent for as long as the Dark Side has a hold of you.
"Pass On What You Have Learned. Strength. Mastery. But Weakness, Folly, Failure Also." - The Last Jedi (2017)
In The Last Jedi, Yoda is phenomenal, as he teaches Luke a few final lessons before he becomes one with the Force. Yoda has been a teacher for hundreds of years now and tells Luke it is important to pass on what he has learned.
By doing this, the knowledge, wisdom, and light will always have a place, a home, and a vessel in which to reside and be passed on further to cause good and to incite understanding.
"The Greatest Teacher Failure Is." - The Last Jedi (2017)
As a part of the same scene, Yoda tells Luke about failure and its importance, and it is one of the wisest lessons we see taught in the franchise.
Failure is of the utmost importance, and that is something Luek desperately needs to get told in The Last Jedi, as he takes failure too much to heart. It is a fantastic final lesson from the Jedi Grandmaster and one that can be applied to everyone's daily life.