Over the past four decades since its original introduction, the Star Wars franchise has gained cult status, introducing beloved characters to our screens and becoming one of the most quotable movie sagas ever.
But when it comes to quotable characters, none quite marry up to the Jedi Grand Master himself.
Who is Yoda?
Yoda was first introduced to audiences in The Empire Strikes Back, the second Star Wars instalment to be released. He quickly became a pivotal character in the series as he cemented his status as the beacon of the Jedi order.
For over 800 years, Master Yoda dedicated his time and energy to training fellow Jedis and presents one of the strongest connections to the force ever experienced in Jedi history.
He serves as the moral compass of the franchise, with his teachings and wisdom transcending throughout the order to encourage us to have faith in the light.
His sheer volume of power and influence has made him one of the franchise's most popular characters and arguably one of the reasons the Star Wars franchise is such a cultural phenomenon.
At Toys for a Pound, we would like to celebrate this trailblazing character by reflecting on his biggest mic drop moments and all-around best quotes whilst you sit back and enjoy the flicks in their entirety. Not sure where to start? Here’s how to watch all of the Star Wars movies in order.
- “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Coming in hot with arguably the most iconic Yoda quote of all time (not including “may the force be with you”). This line is introduced to us during the pivotal X-wing sequence of The Empire Strikes Back and is delivered as the Masters’ final words of advice towards a young Luke Skywalker as he attempts to raise his fighter ship from a swamp on the planet Dagobah. It encapsulates the undeniable wisdom of Yoda as he works to teach Luke the ways of the Force, encouraging him to have a more serious mind and to focus on the present.
- “Decide, you must, how to serve them best. If you leave now, help them you could, but you would destroy all for which they have fought and suffered.” The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
This line delivered by Yoda is yet another key quote from the iconic Dagobah X-wing scene of The Empire Strikes Back. Spoken at a crucial moment of the story as a young and impatient Skywalker, against the better advice of Yoda and Obi-Wan, abandons his training and runs headlong into trouble that costs him his arm in the process. However, despite the fair comments the Jedi Master makes toward the impatience of the young Luke, they are eventually proved wrong when he uses his level of care for his friends and family as strength enough to defeat Darth Vader and the Emperor to restore peace to the Order.
- “Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is” Attack of the Clones (2002)
Attack of the Clones sees Obi-Wan attempting to locate the lost planet Kamino, which has been erased completely from the Jedi Archives. Feeling lost in his search, Obi-Wan approaches Yoda in the middle of a lightsaber class with the younglings. Yoda poses this conundrum to the students, one of whom reveals that the planet is missing because someone has erased it. Yoda’s response shows that regardless of how knowledgeable and wise you may be, you must never discount the opinions of others, no matter their age or size and that teachers can still learn from their students.
- “We are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters.” The Last Jedi (2017)
Yoda was just as wise in death as he was in life. Appearing to an older Luke Skywalker as a Force Ghost in The Last Jedi, Yoda speaks from experience as he shows that Jedi Masters must train their students to take on a future that they themselves may not live to see, and they should take pride in their work as they place trust in their students and teachings. Ultimately, it encapsulates the all-important relationships between Masters and Padawans.
- “Alone, never have you been… Rise in the force.” The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
In the climactic scene that sees Rey face-off against Emperor Palpatine, Yoda appears to provide yet another invaluable nugget of wisdom. Alongside a number of notable Jedi, the Jedi Master Yoda lends Rey his strength through the Force and some timely words of encouragement, solidifying the notion that no Jedi is truly alone as long as they have the Force.
When it comes to iconic quotes by this cult-classic character, these five are simply the tip of the iceberg. However, we think these provide some of the most pivotal moments across the series and truly represent the unyielding wisdom and knowledge of the Jedi Master Yoda.
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