Padmé Amidala was a fan-favorite character from the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Portrayed by Natalie Portman, Amidala was a Queen, and a secret wife to the young Jedi Master, Anakin Skywalker. Padme could talk the talk, but he could also walk the walk.
Despite not using the Force or being particularly physically imposing, she always stood her ground and fought for what was right. I loved her quotes from the movies, which is why I’m bringing you the best Padmé Amidala quotes from the Star Wars movies. Enjoy!
Best Padmé Amidala Quotes From Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
”Your honor… I am Queen Amidala. This is my decoy.”
When Padmé ended up on Tatooine, she wanted to hide her identity for as long as possible. She hid it perfectly for a while, even from Jedi and from the viewers. I know now when you watch the movie and know the entire plot, it doesn’t come as a surprise.
However, when the movie first came out, nobody saw it coming. First, she was a kid, and second, she played the role of a humble handmaiden so well. It also shows how cunning and intelligent she is despite her age. After all, you don’t become Queen Amidala of Naboo at such a young age by being childish.
“I will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war.”
Padmé was a queen here, but if only her words to Sheev Palpatine in this instance weren’t taken so lightly… The situation was about a small argument with the Trade Federation, but Palpatine insisted on a not-so-peaceful solution.
That’s when Padmé delivered this awesome quote as if she predicted the domino effect of chaos that would ensue. Eventually, the course of action led to war, and it was all a part of the plan from the very person Amidala delivered this quote to.
“I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee!”
Although she stepped down as Queen after The Phantom Menace, Padmé Amidala was a total badass. She was still a kid and had virtually no fighting skills – but she knew how to fight for her people and for what was right with words and the power bestowed upon her when she was elected to be their Queen.
Later, Qui-Gon Jinn suggests that she should follow him to Coruscant, as the situation started getting a bit out of hand. She refuses, though, saying that her place is with her people. Right there, I knew she’d be an amazing character. I have to say, although I kind of liked the Anakin-Padmé love story, I’m sad that her character got watered down to a love interest.
Best Padmé Amidala Quotes From Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones (2002)
“To be angry is to be human.”
This particular quote is probably my favorite Padmé Amidala quote of all the quotes from this list. Had they just listened to her words, perhaps Anakin would have never fallen to the Dark Side. These words were directed at Anakin, who felt great grief, anger, and sorrow after losing his mother.
However, instead of making him suppress his emotion – like the Jedi Council taught him to because the Jedi aren’t allowed to have attachments to anybody – Padmé comforts Anakin. She tells him that it’s okay to be angry. It’s just a normal human reaction, and although Jedi are different from you, me, or her – they are still just human.
“All mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It’s the only way we grow.”
Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi were great friends, but first, they were Master and Padawan. The teachings of Obi-Wan didn’t always sit well with Anakin. He was stubborn and often angry at Kenobi for pointing out his flaws and mistakes, leading to a rift between the two several times, even before Skywalker’s eventual downfall and turn to the Dark Side.
Luckily, Amidala was here to patch things up. She always knew how to calm Anakin down and give him a great piece of advice in the process. I loved this quote because it’s true and can be implemented in our daily lives. One shouldn’t always take things personally – our parents, teachers, and other mentors often point out our flaws with only good intentions in mind.
“Are you allowed to love? I thought that was forbidden for a Jedi?”
At this point, Amidala and Skywalker were still not together. However, this quote revealed so much, all at once. As Anakin was talking about his life as a Jedi, Padmé asked him if he was even allowed to love.
However, she asked him that in a way that revealed so much. First, it revealed that she was genuinely interested in his life and the ways of the Jedi. And second, it subtly revealed that there’s a spark igniting between the two.
“Sometimes, there are things that no one can fix. You’re not all that powerful, Ani.”
I loved this quote because it was a warm-hearted joke but a wise lesson at the same time. Anakin always had a pathological urge to fix everything. However, some things just cannot be fixed. Padmé wanted Anakin to stop blaming himself for everything that happened. You cannot save everybody, and you can’t fix everything.
And then, that final part of the quote where she tells Anakin that he’s “not all that powerful” really drove the point home. Despite all of his incredible Force power, Amidala wants Anakin to know that he’s still human and that he’ll make mistakes and fail in things, just like the rest of us.
Best Padmé Amidala Quotes From Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
“Hold me, like you did by the lake on Naboo. So long ago, when there was nothing but our love.”
Yeah, the prequel trilogy has its fair share of cheesy quotes that felt like they belonged in a Netflix rom-com or a telenovela. Still, when you take a look at this Padmé quote from a more broad perspective, it’s a really powerful quote.
It shows that Amidala already sensed that something changed – that things weren’t right anymore and that Anakin wasn’t the same Ani she married on Naboo. By the end of the movie, she was proven to be right. Anakin fell to the Dark Side, and she died because she no longer had the will to hold on to life.
“What if the democracy we thought we were serving no longer exists?”
This was just another example of how smart and cunning Padmé Amidala was. She was a prominent senator at the time, but when she spoke to Anakin, Padmé revealed that she felt the Republic was changing and that democracy might not even exist anymore.
And, once again, her words and thoughts proved to be right. Palpatine corrupted the Republic with plans to enforce the Empire upon the galaxy. And one might argue that he succeeded. But, Padmé’s words also sparked the formation of a rebellion, which only makes this quote so much more powerful.
“This war represents a failure to listen.”
Indeed, Padmé had spoken about the wrong course of action that is slowly but surely leading to a huge war. Unfortunately, nobody listened. Including Anakin, who didn’t support Amidala when she suggested that the Republic was off track and losing its way.
Eventually, the lust for battle and chaos turned Anakin to the Dark Side, while the Republic fell into war. What is wisdom good for when nobody listens to the wise?
“Anakin, you’re breaking my heart. You’re going down a path I can’t follow.”
Reminiscing about this particular quote breaks my heart, too. I know many people disliked the whole love story between Anakin and Padmé. And sure, it might’ve been a bit cheesy at times, but it was devastating to see how it unfolded.
How such a strong, passionate love can break due to manipulation and corruption. Here, Amidala already knew that Anakin was going down a dark path, and it broke her heart knowing that she simply could not go there with him. Not long after, Anakin died, and Darth Vader was born, which made Padmé give up on life herself and die right after giving birth to Luke and Leia.
“Obi-Wan. There’s good in him. I know, there is still…”
These were among the final words that Padmé ever said, and just like many other quotes in this movie, they turned out to be true in the end. It took him about two decades, but Anakin showed that Amidala was right. There was still good in him, as he chose to save their son and kill Palpatine, even if it meant he’ll die as well.
Interestingly, Princess Leia – Padmé’s and Anakin’s daughter – said a similar line to Luke about Vader. His wife and daughter believed in him, and Anakin eventually fought off the corruptive influence of the Dark Side and delivered.
“So, this is how liberty dies – to a thunderous applause.”
In the end, what Padmé feared the most, unfortunately, became true. Nobody believed her when she said the Republic lost its way. That democracy is no longer there. That Palpatine is going towards a dark path.
It all came true when Palpatine openly stated that the galaxy was shifting from a democratic Republic to an iron-fisted galactic Empire. And, to add an insult to injury, people cheered and clapped at Palpatine, which made Amidala feel even worse.
BONUS: Best Padmé Amidala Quotes From Star Wars: Clone Wars (2008-2020)
“There’s always a choice! To live in fear – is no life at all!”
Star Wars: Clone Wars isn’t considered canon, but Padmé still appears in most of the series and has had some amazing quotes throughout. This one reflects the Padmé Amidala from the movies we all knew and loved.
Again, despite not being a prolific fighter, Amidala was never afraid to stand up for what she believed was right – even if it was a life-threatening choice to do so. As she said – to live in fear is no life at all. The quote came in Season 1, Episode 8, called Bombad Jedi.
“The work I do – the work we both do – is in the service of the Republic, to protect those who would otherwise be powerless to protect themselves.”
Last but not least, this quote came in Season 1, Episode 22, called Hostage Crisis, and perfectly summed up Amidala’s character, poise, and passion for her job. She does what she does not because she enjoys the power.
Padmé does what she does because she wants to help and knows that the only way to help those who don’t have power – is to give them power yourself. That’s what the Republic was about to her. That’s what democracy was about – giving the people the protection they need when they have no means of protecting themselves.
