Jedi Code / Legends The Jedi Code was a code of conduct intended to help establish , regulate and maintain the general behavior of all Jedi . Despite undergoing , at some point during Jedi history , a subtle but substantial alteration of at least its written tenets , the code ' s fundamental context and meaning , invoking as it did self - discipline , tolerance , compassion , harmony and peaceful exploration , remained unchanged . Mantra . One of the key portions of the Code was a five - line mantra . Several versions of the mantra exist , though the original version was : The refined version established by Odan - Urr and transcribed by Homonix Rectonia during the Early Manderon Period was perhaps the best known : The fourth line " There is no chaos , there is harmony , " is removed in some Jedi texts . At the Funeral of Mara Jade Skywalker , for instance , this line was omitted . Another version of the code during 32 BBY read as follows : Grand Master Luke Skywalker modified this code slightly upon reestablishing the Jedi Order in the Galaxy : Following the code . Self - discipline . Self - discipline was one of the key concepts of Jedi behavior , and Jedi Padawans were taught this from a very early age . The lessons started off similar to what might be taught to an ordinary student ; however , as the student progressed , so did the complexity of the lessons . Conquer Arrogance Jedi were required to learn that , although they were able to use the Force , they were no better than those who could not . Jedi were taught that they were only Jedi because some had taken the trouble to teach them , not because they were superior to others , and that a Jedi Master was only a Jedi Master because he had disregarded his own sense of self - importance and embraced the will of the Force . Conquer Overconfidence Many young Jedi students , while learning the ways of the Force , began to believe that they could accomplish anything . Many young Jedi died taking on tasks that were far too difficult for them , not realizing that the Force was only truly limitless to those who had limitless understanding . Conquer Defeatism Young Jedi also learned that defeatism was just as dangerous as overconfidence . Although it might have seemed contradictory to the goals of conquering overconfidence , a Jedi would first plan for success , then for failure . Jedi who always plan for failure expected to lose , and usually only used minimal effort — enough to say that they had tried . Conquer Stubbornness Jedi would always have been ready to accept defeat if the cost of winning was greater than the cost of losing . Jedi were taught that it was always best to end things peacefully than to win or lose . Conquer Recklessness Many young Jedi lacking in self - restraint were always ready to ignite their lightsabers and plunge straight into battle . They perceived a goal and rushed towards it , without any consideration for unseen dangers or other options . And so Jedi were taught that speed did not necessarily lead to success . Conquer Curiosity Many inexperienced Force - sensitives used the Force to satisfy their curiosity , probing into the business of others . Intruding gave the clear message that the Jedi felt they were above others ' privacy . Jedi were taught that although using the Force to discreetly uncover the secrets of others may have been occasionally necessary , it should never become a matter of course , as it would cause great distrust of the Jedi in general . Conquer Aggression A sizable number of Jedi , in training , confused the meanings of attack , defense and aggression . Thus Younglings were taught that it was possible for a Jedi to strike without aggression , so long as they acted without recklessness , hatred or anger . A Jedi was permitted to kill in self - defense — only if there was no other option . However , Jedi instructors taught their students that killing , no matter what the circumstances , was not to become commonplace . To conquer aggression , even in combat , a Jedi must have explored every other option , including surrender , before resorting to using lethal force . Jedi who depended on murder were close to the Dark side of the Force . Conquer External Loyalties Each Jedi was expected to remove as many external distractions from his or her life as possible . For that reason , the Order only accepted potential Padawans while they were still young children ; they were too young to have already formed strong relationships and forbidden them forming attached relationships later in life . Jedi were not allowed to marry without special dispensation , like in the case of Cerean Jedi Ki - Adi - Mundi , who was allowed to marry several Cerean women because of his people ' s low birth rate . Jedi were forbidden from taking a political appointment or to accept gifts . They were taught that their loyalty was to be to the Jedi Order , and to nothing else . Conquer Materialism Jedi were forbidden from keeping more than a few essential belongings . There were two reasons for this ; first because they distracted a Jedi from the Force , and second because , as they emerged through the ranks , Jedi were required to leave for missions with extremely short notice , and so having many objects was a burden . It was rare for a Jedi to possess more than they could carry on their person at one time . Responsibility . Once a Jedi had mastered self - discipline , they could begin to accept responsibility for their actions . Jedi who shunned responsibility were never trained , and Jedi who embraced it were never denied training . Practice Honesty Honesty was the first responsibility that aspiring Jedi were taught . Jedi were permitted to stretch the truth if the situation required it of them , however this was to be done as sparingly as possible . An honest Jedi was always truthful with himself , his Master , and the Council . Honor Your Promises Jedi were taught that if they made a promise , they should have always been prepared to keep it , or else to have made amends . Thus , a Jedi should never have make a promise he or she was not certain they could keep . Jedi were encouraged to consult their Master before making a promise . Honor Your Padawan A Jedi Master was required to know that he must treat his Padawan with respect . He should never reprimand his Padawan in public , nor punish his Padawan for disagreeing with him . On the other hand , a Master should praise his Padawan , especially in the presence of others . This built the Padawan ' s confidence , and strengthened the bond between Master and apprentice . Honor Your Master By the same token , Padawans were expected to show great respect to their Masters , especially in front of others . Padawans were taught never to disagree with their Masters to the point of argument , and that when they were in discussion with others , Padawans should only address their Masters when they had been addressed themselves . This spared the Master having to apologize for his Padawan ' s behavior . Honor the Jedi Council Although the Jedi High Council was the ultimate authority of the Jedi Order , it was not possible for the High Councilors to be everywhere at once . Therefore , when the Council sent a Jedi on a mission , the Jedi spoke for and was a representative of the Jedi Council . The Council was forced to answer for the Jedi ' s words and answers , and so the Jedi would have been careful not to put the Council in a difficult position , as to do so would be to show terrible disrespect for the Council . Honor The Jedi Order Every action a Jedi made reflected on the Order . Good deeds boosted the Order ' s reputation , but poor behavior sometimes caused incurable damage . Jedi were taught to remember that each person they met might not have set eyes upon a Jedi before , and that the acts of the particular Jedi that person would influence their perception of the Jedi Order as a whole . Honor the Law One of the most important roles of the Jedi was to protect the peace and justice of the Republic , and so no Jedi was above the law . Jedi were expected to follow the law the same as they expected others to . Jedi were permitted to break laws , but only when it was required , and only if they were willing to suffer the consequences … Honor Life Jedi were expected never to commit murder , for any reason . However , if confronted with a life - or - death struggle , a Jedi was permitted to kill to complete their mission . This act was not encouraged , as ending life strengthened the dark side ; however , if the act was justified — if it saved others ' lives , or if the Jedi was acting on the will of the Force — then the light side was equally strengthened . Jedi were also expected to think of those they had killed , and to think of the suffering caused by their deaths . A Jedi who did not care about his victims was on the path to the dark side . Public service . Although the Jedi existed to serve the Force , they were funded by the senate because they served the public interest . If Jedi were unable to use the Force , they would continue to serve , because that was their duty . The fact that the Force was real , and that the Jedi were its most prolific and devoted practitioners , only strengthened their resolve to use it for good . Duty To The Republic Although the Jedi and the Republic were dissimilar , and the Jedi Order had no authority over the Republic , the Jedi served the Republic , and were expected to uphold its laws and ideals , and to protect its citizens . However , members of the Order held no rank in Republic hierarchy , and only served when asked ; at all other times they stepped aside . This strange agreement between the two parties had stood for so long that no one knew how or why it had come about . Render Aid Jedi were obliged to help those in need of aid whenever possible , and were expected to be able to prioritize quickly . Jedi were taught that while saving one life was important , saving many lives was even more so . This principle did not mean a Jedi had to abandon other goals in every circumstance , but merely that a Jedi must do his or her best to make sure that they aided those who were most in need of assistance . Defend The Weak Similarly , a Jedi was expected to defend the weak from those who oppressed them , ranging from small - scale suffering at the hands of an individual to large - scale enslavement of entire species . However , Jedi were taught to remember that all may not have been as it seemed , and that they should respect other cultures , even if they clashed with a Jedi ' s moral or ethical code . Jedi were also warned not to act in areas out of their jurisdiction , and to always consider the consequences of their actions . Provide Support At times , it was necessary for a Jedi to stand aside and let other people defend the weak , even if the Jedi felt that they could do a superior job . Jedi were taught that they should assist by word or action as required by the situation , offering advice when requested to , warning when necessary , and arguing only when reason failed . Jedi should remember that they wielded the marvelous tool of the Force , and that they should be prepared to use it only for good . Miscellaneous Codes . The Jedi also abided by other codes that were not part of the original Jedi Code : Crystal Code . The crystal code was a mantra traditionally recited by a Jedi while witnessing his / her student assembling his / her lightsaber . However , this was not a constant , as a separate tradition held that Jedi students should fabricate and assemble their lightsabers in private , without their master ' s guidance or intervention . Behind the scenes . The concept for the Jedi Code could be traced back to early drafts for in which Luke Skywalker took the " Jedi Oath " before traveling to Bespin . Had this been included in the movie , the oath would have went like this : " I , Luke Skywalker , do swear on my honor , and on the faith of the brotherhood of knights , to use the Force only for good , denying , turning always from the Dark Side ; to dedicate my life to the cause of freedom , and justice . If I should fail of this vow , my life shall be forfeit , here and hereafter . " In the video game version of , during the fight with Serra Keto , the training holograms that repeat the Jedi Code can be damaged , revealing a " Saber Crystal " power - up and thoroughly darkening the Jedi Code ; e . g . " There is no death , there is the Force " replaced by " Death … is the Force " .