So begins the famous commentary upon the Jedi Code by Master Odan-Urr, written almost four thousand years before the time of Master Mace Windu. His musings on the proper behavior of a Jedi formed the foundation of the Jedi Order as it was known near the end of the Old Republic.

 

Odan-Urr's ancient wisdom held true for centuries. Many were taught the Jedi Code, but few fully understood it. Fewer still lived by it. Full comprehension of the Code is one of the keys to unlocking a Jedi's mastery of the Force.

 

 

Consider the first rule: "There is no emotion; there is peace." It is plainly contrast, distinguishing the confusion of emotional considerations from the clear thinking of peaceful meditation-obviously, a valuable quality.

 

But if that peace is rooted in simply being unaware of some factor that would otherwise cause a Jedi to feel an emotional reaction, then it is not so much peace as ignorance. This is why the Code contains the second rule: "There is no ignorance; there is knowledge."

 

This teaches the Jedi to strive to understand all situations-particularly before acting-to avoid errors in judgement. But knowing a thing well can lead one to become engrossed in it. An obsessive focus leads to clouding of the mind. Thus, the third rule: "There is no passion; there is serenity." Knowing a thing objectively is knowing it as the Force knows it.

 

Still, students commonly argue that the only true objectivity is nonexistence-death. For does one not affect a thing even by merely observing it? This is why there is the fourth rule: "There is no death; there is the Force." If a Jedi can act emotionlessly, knowledgeably, and serenely, then he or she is acting in accordance with the will of the Force.

 

Therefore, if a Jedi acts in all things without emotion, ignorance, or passion, then that Jedi is truly a master of the Force.

 

 

Still, a Jedi can think through a great many things in advance, to better maintain the principles of the Code when the rest of the universe is in a hurry. Over the millennia since the founding of the Order, Jedi Masters have recognized that there are eight conclusions a Jedi can reach before situations are thrust upon him. A Jedi who understands these eight things will, when called upon to make a quick decision, already know the will of the Force.

 

 

What Master Odan-Urr left unsaid was that by regularly examining one's own motivations, a Jedi could be certain that she was not allowing emotion, ignorance, or passion to intrude upon her clarity. A Jedi who has no time to meditate may more easily become lost. More to the point, a Jedi who refuses to meditate may already know that her motivations are not pure, and is thus lying to herself. As Master Yoda once said: "The Jedi who heeds not the counsel of the Force, to the dark side listens."

 

 

A wise Jedi should strive to remember that there is always something more to learn about the Force. The Force reveals itself to those who have the desire and knowledge to see it, and merely heeding the Force's will is much the same as looking at a bantha's toe and saying: "Now I understand banthas." To continue to grow, a Jedi should train each day.

 

 

 

A Jedi can and should offer advice to those who need it. From a certain point of view, a Jedi is not being dishonest if he allows people to believe what they wish to believe. It is not incumbent upon the Jedi to convince anyone to follow his advice. When a Jedi is serving the Force, he may employ deception, subterfuge, misdirection, and even fraud, if he does so with a righteous aim. Although most sentient beings have a distase for such practices, the Force is without such emotions. Do not confuse this with "moral flexibility". A Jedi does what needs to be done. But also remember that a Jedi is not above the law.

 

 

First, the galaxy is a vast place, full of cultures that no one Jedi can completely understand. One famous story tells how a Jedi learned that a companion had been devoured by the cannibalistic Colicoids. When asked why the Jedi later bargained with the very same beings for starship components, she responded: "Because eating the flesh of sentient beings is not forbidden by the Jedi Code-but to the Colicoids, not eating the flesh of sentient beings is considered a sign of insanity." This Jedi recognized that punishing the Colicoids for following their nature would be acting out of emotion and ignorance. Similarly, not procuring a badly needed engine part would have been punishing herself out of guilt.

 

The second reason is that judgment leads to vengeance, and vengeance leads to the dark side. This is easy to understand, though not so easy to practice. Should a known murderer be allowed to go free? Should a man intent on murder be killed? To answer either question, a Jedi must first know the will of the Force. Neither decision can be made hastily, except where lives are threathened by inaction. At the same time, while not judges, Jedi an be mediators. It is a role they are suited for, and one that works in accord with the Force since meditation leads to balance.

 

 

Though Master Odan-Urr believed in justice, he also understood that it was sometimes neccessary for a Jedi to practice discretion. Some have seen this as a sign of Jedi partisanship. Others, particularly low enforcement agencies, believe that Jedi ignore small crimes in order to apprehend greater criminals. Obviously, neither of these is true.

 

The truth is that Jedi Knights are suffered throughout the galaxy-despite their facility with the Force. This is because they do not actively interfere with the lives of the common people. Jedi stand for order and justice, and these qualities do not begin with the misdeeds of the few. The goal of the Jedi should be to create and preserve an atmosphere where justice can flourish, rather than to try to create justice themselves. Master Yoda often said that, should the Republic ever challenge the Jedi Order's right to exist, the support of the common citizen would see them through: "If fear us they do, help us they will not. If hate us they do, hunt us they will."

 

 

Younger Jedi commonly mistake bravery as the opposite of fear. Since fear leads to the dark side, they reason, bravery is armor against the dark side. This isnt so. If a Jedi is mindful of the will of the Force, he will know whether it is best to stand his ground, or flee, or even to offer truce. Remember that bravery itself is an emotion, and a Jedi should be at peace-even in the midest of war.

 

 

Conflict is a fact of life in the galaxy for far too many beings, and no Jedi can hope to remain apart from it. But a Jedi need not embrace conflict. As Master Yoda teaches: "If a weapon you show, 'A warrior am I!' you say. And who is best must all warriors know you." So, to avoid unnecessary fighting, a Jedi should not advertise his skill. But when is it necessary to fight? The Force will show a Jedi when he has no other options, and a wise Jedi trusts the Force in this regard.

 

When fighting, is it necessary to use one's lightsaber? The answer is no. A lightsaber is an intimidating weapon-but not a tool for intimidation. This is what Odan-Urr meant. Do not use a lightsaber to create fear in an opponent. Use it to end the fight as quickly and mercifully as possible. If this means destroying a foe, so be it. But if a Jedi can end a fight without killing an opponent, so much the better. The best Jedi can avert injury altogether, with only a word.

 

In the past, some Jedi have taken this to mean that they should carry a second, less deadly weapon. There is so such thing. If a weapon cannot kill, it is not truly a weapon. While a blaster can let a Jedi attack from a distance, it is just as effective-and more in keeping with the Jedi Code - to use the Force instead.

 

 

While not part of Odan-Urr's Jedi Code commentary, this bit of wisdom from the Jedi Master is often added to any instruction using his words and methods. It warns Jedi students to develope their other talents and abilities, to not rely solely on the Force. To use the Force to accomplish every mundane task is to trivialize it. Using the Force isnt the only solution to every problem; sometimes, it it isnt even the best solution. That's where a Jedi's other skills and talents come in. Jedi training consists of many exercises; mastering the Force is only part of that training. The student also learns to run, jump, climb, fight, swim, and think. These exercises could be made easier by using the Force, but this would be to the detriment of the Jedi's overall experience. A Jedi needs to learn his capabilities without the Force so that he can truly know himself and also understand what those without the Force are capable of accomplishing.

 

Using the Force because it's convenient, even when other methods might be more sensible, falls dangerously close to the dark side. It's only one step removed form using the Force to achieve personal wealth and power, and that's defienitely a corruption of the Force.