Emperor Palpatine's 18 Best Quotes, Ranked By 'Star Wars' Fans
Copy link
Who's the real MVP of evil in Star Wars? Emperor Palpatine, of course. From him playing puppet master in the prequel trilogy to somehow returning in The Rise of Skywalker, this Sith is nothing short of a menace and makes every film better. Plus, his winning smile is simply to die for, as it appears like he's having the time of his life being evil.
Now, it's time to relive Emperor Palpatine's greatest quotes from the Star Wars films. Whether he's menacing Jedi, spinning lies, or executing orders, the Emperor always shows why the Dark Side is so enticing.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi / 20th Century Fox126 VOTES
'Now, Young Skywalker, You Will Die.'
When He Said It: Return of the Jedi
With the Death Star ready to rock 'n' roll again, Emperor Palpatine offers Luke Skywalker the chance to join the dark side. After Darth Vader provokes him and threatens the safety of his sister, Princess Leia, Luke attacks his father. Palpatine shows his delightfully evil ways by encouraging Luke to strike down his father in anger.
When Luke refuses, Palpatine lights him up with blasts of Force lightning. He stops for a moment to gloat, blasts him again, then stops and says: "Now, young Skywalker, you will die." Joke's on him, though, as Vader recovers his humanity and steps in to save his son.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi / 20th Century Fox214 VOTES
'Young Fool, Only Now, At The End, Do You Understand.'
When He Said It: Return of the Jedi
The Emperor's throne room provides for many legendary one-liners, courtesy of Palpatine. The object of his ire remains Luke Skywalker, especially after the Jedi refuses to do what the evil Sith Lord wants of him.
When Luke refuses to kill Darth Vader, Palpatine explains it's kill or be killed and uses his Force lightning to fry him. Of course, he can't help but take the opportunity to trash talk, too. After the first blast, Palpatine says, "Young fool, only now, at the end, do you understand." Truth be told, Luke is probably not thinking about much except for the electricity surging through his body at this point.
- Photo: Star Wars: The Clone Wars / Lucasfilm314 VOTES
'There Is No Mercy.'
When He Said It: The Clone Wars Season 5, episode 16 ("The Lawless")
What's clear about the Sith is they cannot be trusted. Darth Maul grows surprised when his former master, Darth Sidious, AKA Emperor Palpatine, shows up. He drops to his knees to show loyalty, but Palpatine calls him out for his deceit and the pair engage in a duel.
Palpatine proves to be superior in the end, and Maul begs for mercy from him. The vicious Palpatine says, "There is no mercy." And he blasts his student with lightning. He doesn't kill him, but he teaches him a lesson.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith / 20th Century Fox435 VOTES
'Power! Unlimited Power!'
When He Said It: Revenge of the Sith
After Mace Windu discovers Palpatine is a Sith, he plans on slicing him up with his lightsaber. However, Anakin Skywalker tells Windu that the Jedi way is to make Palpatine stand trial for his crimes. Windu believes that Palpatine has too much influence and must be killed immediately.
As Windu goes to strike, Anakin slices Windu's hand with his lightsaber. Palpatine sees his opening and blasts Windu with his Force lightning, manically screaming: "Power! Unlimited power!" Why does he say it? And does it make sense? Who cares, because it sounds cool in the moment.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi / 20th Century Fox512 VOTES
'You Will Find That It Is You Who Are Mistaken About A Great Many Things. '
When He Said It: Return of the Jedi
After Luke Skywalker is brought into Emperor Palpatine's throne room, the Sith Lord informs Luke that he will begin his training as a Sith and call him master in due course. In defiance, Luke tells him he's mistaken and he won't take the same path as his father.
This comment gets Palpatine up from his throne. He walks over to Luke and calmly says, "Oh no, my young Jedi. You will find that it is you who are mistaken about a great many things."
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith / 20th Century Fox624 VOTES
'Execute Order 66.'
When He Said It: Revenge of the Sith
Palpatine is one step short of dancing when Anakin Skywalker pledges his allegiance to the dark side and is anointed Darth Vader. Feeling as if everything has fallen into place and it's time to take it up a level, Palpatine takes charge and presses the big red button - metaphorically, of course.
He issues an instruction to the clone troopers: "Execute Order 66." What is Order 66? It's an act identifies all Jedi as traitors to the Republic, they are to be put down by lethal force.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi / 20th Century Fox734 VOTES
'So Be It... Jedi.'
When He Said It: Return of the Jedi
Arguably, Emperor Palpatine's most quotable line comes from Return of the Jedi. Despite his efforts to get Luke Skywalker to turn to the dark side, the young hero refuses the temptation. Palpatine pokes and prods, but he realizes his attempts are futile after Luke doesn't strike down Darth Vader in anger.
It's at this moment he understands Luke's chosen path. So, he hits him with the legendary line: "So be it… Jedi." One doesn't even need to tap into the Force to sense the disdain in his voice.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi / 20th Century Fox839 VOTES
'Everything That Has Transpired Has Done So According To My Design.'
When He Said It: Return of the Jedi
Emperor Palpatine fancies himself as a master manipulator. When Darth Vader brings him Luke Skywalker, he proceeds to tell Luke that his real training is about to begin. Luke counters Palpatine's declaration and says his friends will be coming for him.
Palpatine assures Luke that he's more than prepared for what's about to happen as he's been one step ahead of everyone else. In fact, he states: "Everything that has transpired has done so according to my design." Well, if he's such a smarty-pants, did he see Darth Vader's betrayal coming, huh?
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace / 20th Century Fox930 VOTES
'There Is No Civility; Only Politics.'
When He Said It: The Phantom Menace
With the crisis between the Trade Federation and Republic escalating, Palpatine sees a means to elevate himself to Supreme Chancellor. Only one problem, though: He needs to get the current chancellor, Finis Valorum, out of the picture first.
To do so, he meets with Queen Padmé Amidala, where he proceeds to tell her that she needs someone stronger to deal with the bureaucrats. At the start of his conversation, he tells her: “There is no civility; only politics.”
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace / 20th Century Fox1024 VOTES
'Wipe Them Out. All Of Them!'
When He Said It: The Phantom Menace
Ah, dressed in his Darth Sidious attire, Palpatine comes across as more menacing than usual. In The Phantom Menace, he serves as Naboo's senator and also has a side hustle as a Sith.
While still the senator, he tries to clear the chessboard of all the pawns and queen by issuing an instruction for Darth Maul to kill both Queen Padmé Amidala and the Jedi who are on Naboo. He tells Maul: “Wipe them out. All of them.”
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith / 20th Century Fox1125 VOTES
'The Dark Side Of The Force Is A Pathway To Many Abilities Some Consider To Be Unnatural.'
When He Said It: Revenge of the Sith
Palpatine tells Anakin Skywalker the legend of Darth Plagueis and his special ability to stop people from dying. It's a conversation that piques the interest of Anakin, who can't shake off the feeling that something bad is about to happen to his love, Padmé Amidala.
Anakin almost can't believe what he's hearing and asks if Plagueis could really save people from dying. It's at this moment that the salesman in Palpatine comes out, as he explains why the dark side is the cool but rebellious movement in the galaxy. "The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural," he says. Who wouldn't want to learn more after this pitch?
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith / 20th Century Fox1227 VOTES
'Did You Ever Hear The Tragedy Of Darth Plagueis The Wise?'
When He Said It: Revenge of the Sith
At this point in the story, Palpatine is still Supreme Chancellor, but there's a lot of suspicion surrounding his true motivations. He senses the young Anakin Skywalker's greatest fear is his wife, Padmé Amidala, dying.
Palpatine asks Anakin: "Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?" Palpatine elaborates on the Sith Legend of how Plagueis had the ability to use to the Force to influence midi-chlorians to create life, as well as to prevent others from dying. The double-speak remains obvious, as he presents an enticing offer for Anakin to ponder.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith / 20th Century Fox1318 VOTES
'All Who Gain Power Are Afraid To Lose It.'
When He Said It: Revenge of the Sith
Palpatine pulls the strings from the get-go. When he and Anakin Skywalker speak, he reveals to Anakin that he knows the Jedi Council asked Anakin to spy on Palpatine because they distrust him.
Anakin feels ashamed, almost not knowing what to say in return. The sneaky Palpatine recalls Anakin's Jedi training and alludes to the Jedi Council being power hungry when he says: “All who gain power are afraid to lose it.” Naturally, he paints himself as the victim.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi / 20th Century Fox1412 VOTES
'Your Feeble Skills Are No Match For The Power Of The Dark Side.'
When He Said It: Return of the Jedi
Luke Skywalker goes through the most after turning down Emperor Palpatine's offer to join the dark side. The Sith Lord doesn't hold back as he punishes the young Jedi with Force lightning blasts.
What's made even worse is how Palpatine stops several times and uses the opportunities to mouth off at Luke. As Luke tries to stand up, the Sith says, "Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the dark side." He isn't wrong, as Luke needs Darth Vader's help in the end.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures1525 VOTES
'I Am All The Sith.'
When He Said It: The Rise of Skywalker
It's the final battle between Rey, Ben Solo, and Palpatine in Exegol. After draining the power of the dyad in the Force, he rejuvenates his old bag of bones and takes down both Ben and Rey. However, Rey hears the voices of other Jedi, which gives her a Hulk Hogan-esque comeback to run wild.
Palpatine blasts his lightning at Rey and taunts her, saying she is no match for him and uttering a vicious one-liner: "I am all the Sith." Rey holds her lightsaber firm before summoning the second one and quipping: “And I am all the Jedi.” Pretty epic comeback.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures169 VOTES
'Let Your Death Be The Final Word In The Story Of Rebellion.'
When He Said It: The Rise of Skywalker
Despite Rey and Ben Solo outnumbering Emperor Palpatine, he more than stands his ground against them. At one point, Rey lies on the ground, wondering if it is the end for her. She hears the voices of the past Jedi and finds the inner strength to stand up and continue to fight.
In typical Palpatine fashion, he can't help but stick the knife in a little further with his words. So, he turns to her and says: "Let your death be the final word in the rebellion." Well, even if she died, he would have been wrong. See, if anyone has learned anything from Star Wars, it's that the rebellion never goes away.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back / 20th Century Fox177 VOTES
'There Is A Great Disturbance In The Force.'
When He Said It: The Empire Strikes Back
Darth Vader serves Palpatine like a good soldier. They can't Slack each other, though, so when Palpatine wants a meeting that could have been an email, Vader obliges and speaks to the hologram.
In this particular chat, Palpatine starts off by saying: "There is a great disturbance in the Force." He informs Vader about how the rebel who destroyed the Death Star is a new powerful enemy but also the son of Anakin Skywalker. All of this is a surprise to Vader as he basically finds out Luke is his son.
- Photo: Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures187 VOTES
'Long Have I Waited.'
When He Said It: The Rise of Skywalker
Emperor Palpatine hides on the planet Exegol shrouded in darkness and the occasional rumbling storm. When Rey arrives on the planet and looks for him, she sees a machine to which he was connected to earlier in the film, but he's nowhere to be found.
All of a sudden his voice rings: "Long have I waited…" Then Rey turns around and Palpatine is connected to the machine again. He adds: “... For my grandchild to come home.”
