Star Wars 20th Anniversary: Best Revenge of the Sith Quotes

You — yes, I’m talking to you — might need to sit down. Take a deep breath. I’m about to tell you something that might rewire your neural pathways and change the course of your life from this moment forward. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith™ was released 20 years ago. Let that sink in. If you’re a millennial like me, it’s time to reach for the ibuprofen.

Anyway, perhaps this is a hot take, but I feel the prequel trilogy gets a bad rap. It’s a solid introduction and lays the groundwork for the original films. Revenge of the Sith especially fires on all cylinders, building organically to that famous duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker before the latter becomes the infamous Darth Vader.

To celebrate two decades of existence, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite quotes from Revenge of the Sith.

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Obi-Wan Says He Has the High Ground

Obi-Wan Kenobi: “It’s over, Anakin. I have the high ground.”
Anakin Skywalker: “You underestimate my power!”

Ask any Star Wars fan, and they’ll tell you, unequivocally, that the above exchange is among the most iconic in the franchise’s history. During this scene, Obi-Wan and Anakin are battling it out across Mustafar — a pivotal duel that irrevocably alters their respective paths for the rest of their lives.

I particularly love Obi-Wan’s “I have the high ground” because not only does he literally have the high ground, but he morally has it as well. As a Jedi, his strong moral compass prevents him from killing Anakin, his former friend and brother, so Obi-Wan leaves Anakin to die. Of course, we know Anakin doesn’t succumb to his injuries and inevitably transforms into Vader after this.

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Obi-Wan Tells Anakin He Was the Chosen One

Obi-Wan: “You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them. Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!”

Obi-Wan’s quote here is part of the aforementioned exchange and duel on Mustafar. His anguish as he says this line is palpable. He worked himself to the bone to train Anakin in the ways of the light side of the Force. Unfortunately, Sheev Palpatine — AKA Darth Sidious — gained too strong a grip on our Ani. Thankfully, his death later on in Return of the Jedi™ ultimately fulfills the prophecy and restores balance to the Force.

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Palpatine & Anakin Debate Good vs Evil

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine: “Good is a point of view, Anakin. The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way, including their quest for greater power.”
Anakin: “The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think inwards, only about themselves.”

Listen, I can see how Emperor Palpatine could sway a young, impressionable soul like Anakin. It’s the whole “Good and evil are two sides of the same coin” argument, especially regarding Palpatine’s insistence that the Jedi and Sith “are similar in almost every way.” That said, Anakin’s response here perfectly encapsulates the Sith way: an inward, self-centered mode of thinking.

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Padmé Mourns the Death of Liberty

Padmé Amidala: “So, this is how liberty dies … with thunderous applause.”

This Padmé Amidala quote is, hands down, one of the most insightful and painfully accurate quotes in Star Wars as a whole. It’s relevant and evergreen, no matter the time period. This line is applicable to Revenge of the Sith and out of the film’s context, too. Padmé knew the Galactic Empire was bad news and fought tooth and nail to defend the Republic until its — and her — dying days. There’s something truly tragic about how liberty and democratic values aren’t always quashed by violence. Sometimes, complacency can be the deadlier threat to freedom.

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Senator Organa Learns About the Twins

GH-7 Medical Droid: “We need to operate quickly if we are to save the babies.”
Senator Bail Organa: “Babies?”
GH-7 Medical Droid: “She’s carrying twins.”

Plot twist! Padmé is pregnant with twins, and these specific twins are crucial to the restoration of peace in the galaxy. While this isn’t a particularly thought-provoking quote, it heralds the arrival of Luke and Leia Skywalker — two characters who jumpstart a franchise and whose names are synonymous with Star Wars.

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Yoda Warns Anakin

Yoda: “Careful you must be when sensing the future, Anakin. The fear of loss is a path to the dark side. … Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed that is.”

Is there any being in the galaxy wiser than Yoda? Think not me. His advice to Anakin here works in-universe and out. Death is a natural part of life and, one day, we’ll all become the Force. Jealousy and fear are tenets of the Sith, built into the DNA of the dark side. If only Anakin had heeded Yoda’s sage words…

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Obi-Wan Makes a Dad Joke

Obi-Wan: “Well, R2 has been…”
Anakin: “No loose wire jokes.”

Obi-Wan gives off intense “dad joke” energy. I imagine his and Anakin’s better days were filled with him dispensing corny dad jokes, and Anakin rolling his eyes in response. “Loose wire” seems to be the galaxy’s version of “screw loose.” In retrospect, these lighter moments between them make the severing of their bond all the more tragic.

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What Does a Sith Deal in?

Obi-Wan: “Only a Sith deals in absolutes.”

The Sith way is very much “this or that,” whereas the Jedi, while on the light side, understand the ebbs and flows of life, that it’s ever-changing. Even reading the Sith Code, words like “strength,” “power,” and “victory” are bold in essence and feel definitive.

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Padmé Questions the Republic

Padmé: “What if the democracy we thought we were serving no longer exists, and the Republic has become the very evil we have been fighting to destroy?”

We love a self-aware senator. Always an idealist, Padmé saw the writing on the wall and how insidious forces had penetrated the Galactic Republic to erode it from within. Not to worry, Padmé, your children will carry your legacy into a brighter future for the galaxy.

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Anakin Lives for Adventure

Anakin: “This is where the fun begins.”

This is one of Anakin Skywalker’s most memorable quotes in the prequel trilogy — that and his “I don’t like sand” declaration from Attack of the Clones™. Here, Anakin and Obi-Wan are en route to rescue Palpatine from General Grievous.

True to his nature, Anakin barreled headfirst into the action during the Clone Wars and never shied away from a good fight. Before being lured to the dark side, Anakin was a charming, capable fighter who boasted confidence in spades. Sure, he could be reckless, but if you’ve got that “it factor,” flaunt it, am I right?

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What are your favorite quotes from Revenge of the Sith? Share your thoughts with other Star Wars™ fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!