Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering – Yoda

I’m a fan of Star Wars.

And Yoda in all his wisdom is of course my favourite character.

However, I could never quite comprehend this particular quote.

I never got exactly why the Jedi blamed Anakin for being evil.

He tried protecting the one he loved and failed.

And you know, all his limbs were chopped off, by his own master.

I always sympathised with him, I even shed a tear when he died.

I honestly felt like what he was doing could be justified.

Then an older wiser me watched Star Wars again.

& it started making sense.

Anakin’s fear was his downfall.

His fear led lead to his frustration with the Jedi Council, which led to his anger from not having his way.

Which led to him hating the Jedi because he felt as if they were holding him back.

So he joined the dark side, opened himself up to the dark side of the force, which led him to choking his wife with the use of the force, which led to her refusal to live resulting in her death. Which finally led to his own suffering and demise.

If he had faith in his own abilities instead of reverting to the dark side, he could have lived a long happy life with his wife and children as well as brought balance to the force.

All the unnecessary ligament-cutting, force-choking and mass murders could have been avoided.

And even if his wife had to die, with or without his input, he still could have contributed with bringing balance to the force.

Who knows, he could have possibly still have been blessed with his children.

To his credit though, he did contribute to bringing balance to the force in the end... after tipping the scales in the favour of the dark side.

Moral of the story:  Do not be afraid.

Other quotes by Yoda

Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.

Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.

The dark side clouds everything. Impossible to see the light, the future is.

For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes.

But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will...

Already know you that which you need. (this is hands down my favourite one)

Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.

Clear your mind must be, if you are to find the villains behind this plot.

In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.

Always in motion is the future.

Named must your fear be before banish it you can.

You will find only what you bring in.

Luke: I don't believe it.  Yoda: That is why you fail.

You will know (the good from the bad) when you are calm, at peace. Passive.