Honours and Conquers

A Jedi's Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Honoring the Code

Myra VanIsle

Myra VanIsle    Jedi Philosophy      Honours and Conquers

Honors

Honor Honesty

The Jedi Code emphasizes the importance of honesty in building and maintaining trust. Lying is discouraged as it can result in a poor reputation with that outside of the Jedi Order. It can also set back years of progress and undo years of hard-earned reputation-building. Therefore, Jedi should always strive to be honest and truthful with themselves, their Masters, and the Council.

Honor your Promises

As a Jedi, it is essential to be honest and trustworthy in all your dealings, especially when making promises. Before making a promise, it is necessary to consider whether you are genuinely able and willing to keep it. Breaking a promise can erode trust and harm relationships, so you must be mindful of your commitments. Furthermore, it is not wise to make promises on behalf of anyone else, as you cannot be sure if they share your dedication to upholding the promise.

Honor your Padawan

When it comes to the relationship between a Master and Padawan, the Master needs to treat their student with respect and kindness. Masters must never reprimand or punish their Padawan in public. Instead, they should encourage and praise their Padawan in the presence of others. This helps to build Padawan's confidence and strengthens the bond between Master and Padawan. A Padawan trusts their Master to guide them in the ways of the force, keeping in mind the Master's teachings will shape their future.

Honor your Master

As a Padawan, you must show great respect for your Master at all times. This includes never debating or arguing with them in public. Your Master has attained more excellent knowledge and wisdom in the ways of the force and should be honoured by trusting that they have your best interests at heart and can guide you through difficult times. The relationship between a Master and Padawan is a sacred bond, so always be mindful that your actions reflect on your Master’s reputation. As such, never put a Master in a position where they must apologize for your mistakes.

Honor the Council

As a Jedi, it is essential to remember that the Council is the ultimate authority, and their guidance should always be respected, even when they are not present. The relationship between a Jedi and the Council is mirrored in the relationship between a Jedi and their Padawans - one of trust, respect, and care. Jedi must conduct themselves with honour and integrity to avoid dishonour upon the Council. The Council's wisdom and knowledge of the Force must be considered when making decisions.

Honor the Order

As Jedi, we must never forget that our actions reflect the Jedi Order. Every person a Jedi comes into contact with may never have met a Jedi before, so we must ensure that our behaviour sets a good example. Further, the Order is like a family, and we must care for each member with respect and compassion. When we take the Padawan Oath, we promise to honour the Order, which is especially true for Knights, who accept even greater responsibility when they take their Oath once more.

Honor the Law

As Jedi, we must understand our place in the Republic. We are Guardians of Peace and Justice, Beacons of Light and Hope. Our role is to serve justice and protect the peace, and to do so, we must honour the law. However, there are times when it is necessary to break the law, but we must accept the consequences of our actions.

Honour Life

Jedi are expected to live in harmony with the Force and always respect the sanctity of life. Murder is never permitted, and Jedi are only allowed to take another life in extreme circumstances. When faced with a life-or-death situation, a Jedi is expected to prioritize life and only resort to killing if no other alternatives present themselves. In these extreme cases, a Jedi should reflect upon the suffering and loss caused by their actions and honour the Force by placing life above all else. Additionally, a Jedi should always strive to disarm their opponents and care for their health and wellbeing. They should also be knowledgeable and prepared to defend themselves and study the Force to make informed decisions that put life and the Force first.

Conquers

Conquer Arrogance

Jedi are taught never to succumb to the temptation of arrogance. They must remember that although they can use the Force, they are no better than those who cannot. This is an important lesson to learn; arrogance can make Jedi blind to the potential of those around them, who may be able to help themselves or help the Jedi in their mission. It is important to remember that all beings, regardless of their connection to the Force, are equal and deserving of respect.

Conquer Over Confidence

As a Jedi, remaining humble and aware of your limitations is essential. The Force does not make you invincible—overconfidence can lead to complacency and leave you vulnerable. Striving for growth and excellence is vital for achieving your highest potential and protecting yourself and those around you.

Conquer Defeatism

The Jedi philosophy teaches that one must plan to succeed first and foremost. Those who only plan for failure are likely to give up easily and put little effort into their tasks and missions. Jedi must understand that failure is a real possibility and not allow their defeats to cloud their judgement or let their emotions take control. If you only plan to fail, you will always will. One should always prepare for success above all else, even if success is more challenging to achieve than winning. Attitude is key to understanding and accepting defeat without feeling overwhelmed. Believe in yourself, embrace the Force, trust your allies and your Master.

Conquer Stubbornness

Jedi philosophy teaches that pursuing peace rather than victory or defeat is better. Being rigidly attached to one's thinking can lead to darkness, so it is essential to remain open to other paths and solutions. In scenarios where the cost of winning is too high, there is no shame in backing away. This can provide a new way forward that avoids the dark side.

Conquer Recklessness

A Jedi must always take the time to assess a situation before rushing into battle. Haste does not always lead to success, and rash decisions can harm oneself and others. Thus, a Jedi must always have the wisdom to consider the risks and alternatives before taking action.

Conquer Curiosity

A Jedi must never use the Force to satisfy their curiosity. Misuse of the Force in this way, such as listening in to the conversations of others or intruding on another person’s mind without permission, can cause mistrust and lead to the dark side. While rare occasions may arise where this technique is necessary, it should never be the first choice. Seeking knowledge for selfish reasons is dangerous and can lead to the dark side.
As Jedi, we must respect the privacy of others. As we explore our Force sensitivity, we may be tempted to probe into the business of others. We must conquer our curiosity and refrain from pushing the boundaries of the will of the Force. We must seek knowledge for the benefit of others and not for power’s sake.

Conquer Aggression

Jedi are taught to always consider the consequences of their actions before resorting to violence, even in self-defence. Striking without aggression is possible if done with clear thought and free from emotions such as anger or hatred. One should not act on passion, as it can lead to miscalculations and may cause others to misconstrue their intentions. The quickest solution is not always the best, and one must consider all possible outcomes, including surrender, before choosing to do something that cannot be undone.

Conquer External Loyalties

Jedi are taken in at a young age to ensure they have minimal attachments to the outside world. Once a Padawan, they are forbidden from forming strong bonds, accepting gifts, or taking a political stance. The Jedi's loyalty must remain with the Jedi Order at all times. To act in any other way risks damaging the reputation of the Jedi Order and the Republic.

Conquer Materialism

Jedi are encouraged to have minimal personal items as these can be distracting from the Force. When going on missions, having too many things can be a burden. Forming attachments to material objects can lead to emotions and the dangers of drawing too close to the dark side. Luxurious furnishings and clothing are not necessary and can be an unnecessary distraction. Though practical and straightforward items are preferred.