Highlights

• Obi-Wan's iconic line "Sith Lords are our speciality" is delivered with cockiness but ends in hilarious irony as he is quickly knocked out in the ensuing fight.
• Obi-Wan's sarcastic jab "Why do I get the feeling you're going to be the death of me?" showcases his attitude towards Anakin and foreshadows their final encounter.
• "In my experience, there is no such thing as luck." Obi-Wan's honest line highlights his avoidance of relying on luck, encouraging Luke to do the same.

The Star Wars series is renowned for its meaningful messages and captivating quotes. In a story where the power of light is on the verge of being engulfed by the forces of darkness, it is necessary for a few inspirational lines to be exchanged between characters.

Star Wars dialogue can influence how the viewer feels with its wonderful method of conveying real emotion. It can also be a fantastic vehicle for conveying humor, though it is not always intentional. Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the most iconic characters present in the series, with much of his popularity being owed to his lines.

Updated April 16, 2024, by Justin Flynn: Though the Obi-Wan Kenobi series has come and gone, fans of Star Wars still have plenty to look forward to. Not only is Daisy Ridley reprising her role as Rey in a currently unscheduled movie, but those curious about what came before the Skywalker story will be treated to The Acolyte on June 4, 2024. Mandalorian fans will also be able to witness Din Djarin and Grogu make their movie debut on May 22, 2026, so there is sure to be something for every variety of Star Wars fans in the coming years.

While Obi-Wan's story seems to have finally reached its conclusion in the grand scheme of the Star Wars universe, there is always a chance that Ewan McGregor could return to deliver even more iconic Obi-Wan lines, similar to how Hayden Christensen did in the first season of Ahsoka. Only time will tell, but for those looking to scratch that Obi-Wan itch, these are his best quotes.

25 "Sith Lords Are Our Speciality."

Said To Palpatine Before Fighting Count Dooku On General Grievous' Ship

• Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith

Upon infiltrating General Grievous' ship, the Invisible Hand, during the opening of Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan and Anakin encounter the chancellor they were tasked with rescuing, but before they can release him from his restraints, Count Dooku enters the scene.

Chancellor Palpatine warns the Jedi that Count Dooku is a Sith Lord, implying that his abilities should not be taken lightly. To this, Obi-Wan responds by saying, "Sith Lords are our speciality." Though this line is iconic, it may not be for the reasons Obi-Wan intended. The cockiness with which this line is delivered makes it seem like Obi-Wan has prepared for this battle, so watching him get knocked unconscious almost immediately after the fight ensues is quite hilarious, especially because of how confident he was beforehand.

24 "Why Do I Get The Feeling You're Going To Be The Death Of Me?

Said To Anakin After Scolding Him For Not Taking Care Of His Lightsaber

• Star Wars: Episode 2 - Attack Of The Clones

Obi-Wan loves incorporating sarcasm into his conversations, especially when he's speaking to Anakin in Attack of the Clones. At this point of the story, Anakin just wants to succeed, but he often fails when attempting to do so. Because of this, Obi-Wan regularly steps in as the voice of reason, hoping to encourage his Padawan with lessons often sprinkled with sly jabs.

The "Why do I get the feeling you're going to be the death of me?" line is one such example. This line is used to scold Anakin for giving into his temper and recklessly pursuing an assassin, putting both his and Obi-Wan's life in danger. It's a simple line that briefly showcases Obi-Wan's attitude towards his Padawan, but it's surprisingly important given how their final encounter ends. In A New Hope, Obi-Wan dies by Anakin's hands, so he wasn't really that out of line when he delivered this quote.

23 "Who Is More Foolish? The Fool Or The Fool Who Follows Him?"

Said To Han Aboard The Death Star In Response To An Insult

• Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope

Obi-Wan is one of the sassiest characters in all of Star Wars. Though Ewan McGregor's portrayal offers what is arguably the most sassy depiction of this character, Alec Guinness also delivered several cheeky lines during his time as the elusive Jedi in the original trilogy. One such example can be seen in A New Hope when the Millennium Falcon is drawn inside the Death Star by its tractor beam.

To avoid capture, Obi-Wan and the gang conceal themselves in the ship's lower compartment. When they emerge, Han remarks that flying away would be a bad idea since the tractor beam would simply bring them back, but Obi-Wan's response suggests that he can fix that problem. Han scolds Kenobi for this comment by calling him a fool, and Obi-Wan responds with "Who is more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?" Not only does this line briefly showcase Obi-Wan's quick-witted nature, but it also highlights how confident of an individual he is. It would've been easy to ignore Han's comment, but in true Obi-Wan-style, the Jedi felt it necessary to poke back with an iconic verbal jab. Obi-Wan has a way with words, especially when it comes to concealing insults in otherwise ordinary statements, and the line he delivers here only further confirms it.

22 "In My Experience, There Is No Such Thing As Luck."

Said To Han In Response To Him Referring To Luke's Force Abilities As Luck

• Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope

Upon leaving Tatooine aboard the Millennium Falcon, Obi-Wan takes a moment to show Luke how to use a lightsaber. More specifically, he encourages Luke to reach out to the Force while he attempts to deflect blaster bolts from a lightsaber training drone.

Han Solo watches from the sidelines, frequently reminding both Luke and Obi-Wan that he does not believe in the Force. Even when Luke manages to deflect three blasts in a row without being able to see, Han still refers to it as luck. To this, Obi-Wan responds with "In my experience, there is no such thing as luck." Given what Star Wars fans now know about Obi-Wan's colorful past, this is a pretty honest line. Though it's hard to deny how luck played a part in certain moments of his life, it is clear that he tries to avoid relying on it. By saying this, he hopes to encourage Luke to do the same.

21 "That's No Moon. It's A Space Station."

Said Aloud Aboard The Millennium Falcon Upon Seeing The Death Star For The First Time

• Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope

After leaving Tatooine aboard the Millennium Falcon, Obi-Wan, Luke, Han, and Chewie set off to Alderaan; however, all they find at the planet's coordinates is debris. A TIE-Fighter then appears from behind and lures the Falcon deeper into space, toward what Luke refers to as a "small moon."

Though it takes a moment, Obi-Wan eventually realizes what the small moon is and tells his crewmates, "That's no moon. It's a space station." This line serves to highlight exactly how powerful the Empire has become while also reminding fans of how small the protagonists are in comparison.

20 "When The Time Comes, He Must Be Trained."

Said To Owen In An Attempt To Convince Him To Let Luke Learn The Ways Of The Force

• Obi-Wan Kenobi: "Part 1"

Though Order 66 resulted in the death of countless Jedi, several managed to survive the attack and its aftermath by going into hiding. To ensure they remained undetected by the Empire, some chose to leave the ways of the Jedi behind, and though Obi-Wan attempted to do the same, it is clear he was unable to let go of certain Jedi customs.

When Obi-Wan encounters Owen Lars during "Part 1" of Kenobi, he feels obligated to discuss Luke's future now that the boy is nearly old enough to be trained. He informs Owen, "When the time comes, he must be trained," to which Owen responds, "Like you trained his father?" referring to how Obi-Wan's training of Anakin resulted in the creation of Darth Vader. Obi-Wan's eagerness to train Luke as a Jedi proves that he has not yet given up hope, even though he has cut himself off from the Force.

19 "A Jedi's Goal Is To Defend Life, Not Take It."

Said To Anakin While Training In The Jedi Temple On Coruscant

• Obi-Wan Kenobi: "Part 5"

Though Kenobi takes place approximately ten years after the events of Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith, there are several instances where the story offers fans a brief look into the past through flashbacks. In "Chapter 5," viewers are treated to a flashback in which Obi-Wan and Anakin are seen training in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.

During training, Anakin becomes aggressive and uses his anger to outclass Obi-Wan in combat. Obi-Wan scolds him for this and reminds him that "A Jedi's goal is to defend life, not take it," but Anakin refuses to listen. Though it looks like Obi-Wan is outmatched, he eventually uses Anakin's confidence to his advantage and disarms him, further proving why relying on anger is not the Jedi way.

18 "What I Told You Was True, From A Certain Point Of View."

Said In Response To Luke Asking If Vader Is Anakin Skywalker

• Star Wars: Episode 6 - Return Of The Jedi

When it was revealed that Darth Vader was Luke's father in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, some fans struggled to believe it, as it didn't make sense regarding what was said during the events of Star Wars: A New Hope. Obi-Wan previously informed Luke that Vader was the man who murdered his father, but this turned out to be a lie.

In Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, Obi-Wan returns as a Force Ghost to shed some light on Luke's lineage. He tells Luke that when Anakin gave into the Dark Side, Darth Vader replaced him entirely. Since Obi-Wan believes that Anakin's spirit no longer resides behind Vader's suit, he feels that saying Darth Vader killed Anakin is, in some ways, the truth. To clarify this to Luke, he says, "What I told you was true, from a certain point of view."

17 "Run, Luke! Run!"

Said To Luke From Beyond The Grave After Being Struck Down By Darth Vader

• Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope

Though Obi-Wan's initial goal in Star Wars: A New Hope was to find a way to reach Alderaan, he quickly found himself at the mercy of the Empire when he and his comrades were taken aboard the Death Star. While Luke, Han, and Chewie searched for Princess Leia, he searched for a way to disable the Death Star's Tractor Beam.

Shortly after disabling the Tractor Beam, Obi-Wan encountered Darth Vader and was struck down by him. Enraged by this, Luke began firing at Vader before hearing the words, "Run, Luke! Run!" echo in his head. Recognizing this voice to be Obi-Wan's, he listened and made for the Millennium Falcon. Not only did these words help Luke escape the Death Star, but they also confirmed to him that the Force can be used to do so much more than just Jedi Mind Tricks.

16 "Only A Sith Deals In Absolutes."

Said To Anakin On Mustafar In Response To His Turn To The Dark Side

• Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith

Obi-Wan and Anakin became friends thanks to Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan's master. His dying wish was for his padawan to train Anakin in his stead, and though Obi-Wan was reluctant, he kept his promise to his master.

Obi-Wan molded Anakin into a great Jedi during their time together. They became close friends and even regarded each other as family, but this all changed when Anakin fell to the Dark Side. During their confrontation on Mustafar, Anakin states, "If you're not with me, then you're my enemy," to which Obi-Wan replies, "Only a Sith deals in absolutes." Not only does this line highlight how loyal Obi-Wan is to the Jedi Order, but it also reveals how flawed the Jedi teachings are.

15 "You Will Never Find A More Wretched Hive Of Scum And Villainy."

Said To Luke While Gazing At Mos Eisley Spaceport On Tatooine

• Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope

Upon returning home after encountering Obi-Wan in A New Hope, Luke discovers that his aunt and uncle have been killed by imperial troopers. Believing he has nothing left on Tatooine, he decides to join Obi-Wan on his journey to Alderaan in the hope that he can learn to be a Jedi like his father, Anakin. To do this, however, they must first venture to Mos Eisley spaceport, an area that Obi-Wan seems to have a very low opinion of.

Overlooking the spaceport itself, Obi-Wan comments that "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy," alluding to the type of people who can be found in such a place. The truth behind this line becomes especially evident once the group arrives at the Mos Eisley Cantina, a dimly-lit establishment full of questionable and dangerous folk. Though Obi-Wan's warning to Luke didn't prevent the group from encountering danger here, it highlighted the Jedi's desire to keep the young Skywalker safe. Not only that, but it's also one of Kenobi's most iconic lines in all of Star Wars.

14 "I Have The High Ground."

Said To Anakin While Standing Above Him During Their Duel On Mustafar

• Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith

Though Obi-Wan's "I have the high ground" line has become something of a meme since the release of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, it remains one of the best lines in the prequel trilogy. After battling his former friend for what seems like several hours, Obi-Wan decides to leap to a higher surface in the hope of ending the battle. He begs Anakin not to follow him, but his apprentice refuses to listen.

The "high ground" is a term most fans of Star Wars are familiar with, but why is it so memorable? Perhaps it's due to how unusual it is. Seeing as the pair spent the past hour performing impossible somersaults with laser swords in their hands, there doesn't seem to be any reason why Anakin wouldn't be able to leap over him. If this isn't the reason, it's likely due to how effortlessly Obi-Wan dismembers him after providing him with a reasonable warning. The fact that it's also an obvious call back to how he defeated Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace is the cherry on top.

13 "Use The Force, Luke. Let Go."

Said To Luke From Beyond The Grave During The Death Star Trench Run

• Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope

During his assault on the Death Star in Star Wars: A New Hope, Luke ends up as the only Rebel left in the trench. There's a great deal of pressure for him to destroy the battle station himself, so it's understandable why he's so nervous. While preparing to fire, however, he hears a familiar, calming voice.

Obi-Wan tells Luke to "Use the Force." Luke, unsure of what the voice is, decides to ignore it initially but obliges its request when it tells him to "Let go." It is because of Obi-Wan's voice that Luke could curve his shot into the Death Star's exposed shaft. To this day, "Use the Force, Luke" remains one of the best Obi-Wan quotes in both Star Wars and all cinematic history.

12 "Goodbye, Old Friend. May The Force Be With You."

Said To Anakin Before Leaving For Utapau To Confront General Grievous

• Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith marks the beginning of the end of Anakin and Obi-Wan's friendship. As a prequel trilogy, fans of the series already know what is destined to happen, but there's something sad about watching the events leading up to it unfold.

Before setting out on their own missions, Anakin and Obi-Wan share a heartfelt moment. Obi-Wan praises his padawan for becoming such a great Jedi, while Anakin reciprocates the compliment by reminding Obi-Wan of how great of a master he is. "Goodbye, old friend. May the Force be with you" may not be the most memorable line in the series, but it certainly is one of the saddest. It's the last thing Obi-Wan says to Anakin before the Emperor springs his trap. The next time they face each other, they do so as enemies.

11 "Goodbye, Darth."

Said To Darth Vader After Defeating Him In A Duel

• Obi-Wan Kenobi: "Part 6"

Obi-Wan spent the majority of Kenobi attempting to hide from his former apprentice until he was forced to face him in the season finale. Sadly, he's not the Jedi he once was, as evident through his poor fighting abilities. Vader eventually pins his former master under a collection of boulders, leaving him for dead.

Though it takes some time, Obi-Wan manages to regain his lost strength. He emerges from the rubble, holding the rocks in midair, before lunging them back at Vader. Vader is left unable to fight, but Obi-Wan refuses to strike him down; instead, he says, "Goodbye, Darth," and walks away. This line is great for several reasons. It reveals that Obi-Wan no longer sees Anakin behind Darth Vader's mask. It's even more iconic due to how he addresses him in A New Hope with the line, "Only a master of evil, Darth." The way this line is used in Kenobi explains why Obi-Wan addressed him as such all those years later.

10 "Hello There."

Said To R2-D2, General Grievous, & A Young Luke Skywalker At Different Points

• Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith, Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope, & Obi-Wan Kenobi: "Part 6"

Obi-Wan greets R2-D2 in Star Wars: A New Hope with the words "Hello there," two simple words with no ulterior motives. It was a throwaway phrase but has since become one of Obi-Wan Kenobi's best quotes. In Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan tracks General Grievous to the planet of Utapau. Upon locating the General of the Droid Army, he finds himself surrounded by droids, with a shocked Grievous glaring at him. The outmanned and outgunned Obi-Wan smiles at his foe and confidently greets him with "Hello there," one of his most amusing lines in the series.

Not only do fans of the series dub "Hello there" as one of the most iconic lines in Star Wars history, but the creators of Kenobi do too. After defeating Vader for the second time, Obi-Wan returns to Tatooine. There, Owen allows the old Jedi to introduce himself to Luke, marking one of the most important interactions in Star Wars history. The show's final scene sees Obi-Wan approaching Luke, smiling, and saying "Hello there" before the screen cuts to black.

9 "These Are Your First Steps."

Said To Rey During The Vision She Receives After Touching Luke & Anakin's Lightsaber

• Star Wars: Episode 7 - The Force Awakens

During the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rey experiences a Force vision wherein she sees a selection of horrifying events that took place before her time. During this vision, she hears the voices of numerous characters encouraging her to pursue the path of the Jedi.

Ewan McGregor briefly reprised his role as Obi-Wan with the line "These are your first steps," implying that, by the end of the vision, Rey will have already undertaken the first steps in becoming a Jedi. This line served to incorporate Obi-Wan into the sequel trilogy by allowing him to be a part of Rey's journey.

8 "So Uncivilized."

Said After Defeating General Grievous With A Blaster On Utapau

• Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith

Upon besting General Grievous in combat on the planet of Utapau, Obi-Wan takes a moment to reflect on his methods. Having been disarmed during the fight, he was left with no other option than to use a blaster on his foe.

Upon firing multiple shots into Grivious' exposed heart, he tosses the blaster to the side while exclaiming the line "So uncivilized," a line that references his description of a lightsaber in A New Hope. He believes a lightsaber is "An elegant weapon for a more civilized age," so his disdain for blasters is understandable in Revenge of the Sith.

7 "The Negotiations Were Short."

Said To Qui-Gon Jinn After A Failed Trade Federation Negotiation

• Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace sees Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan preparing for a meeting with the Trade Federation to discuss a series of trade disputes. Qui-Gon informs his padawan that the negotiations will be short, but when a toxic gas begins to flow into the room, they realize it is a trap.

Upon escaping the clutches of the Trade Federation, Obi-Wan feels it necessary to re-emphasize his master's prediction on how long the meeting would be. He repeats Qui-Gon's previous line by saying, "The negotiations were short," while smiling smugly at his unimpressed master.

6 "You Were My Brother, Anakin. I Loved You."

Said To Anakin After Defeating Him On Mustafar

• Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith

Anakin was a child when he first encountered Obi-Wan. They met on the desert planet of Tatooine, and thanks to Qui-Gon, Anakin was saved from his life of slavery and offered a new one, where he could prosper as a Jedi on Coruscant.

Obi-Wan was the closest thing to a loving father that Anakin ever had, but Obi-Wan never referred to him as a son. He regarded Anakin as a brother, highlighting how he saw him as an equal. The line "You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you" showcases the pain Obi-Wan feels upon Anakin's fall to the dark side. Anakin was all Obi-Wan had, so losing him to the forces of evil crushed him emotionally.