The Jedi Code
The Jedi Motto

One of the first things that a Jedi must learn is the Jedi Code, which lays the groundwork for the mastery of the use of the Force.

The Jedi must carefully observe the rules of the Light Side of the Force to maintain harmony with himself and the universe around him.

The Light Side is created and sustained by life. The Jedi acts to preserve life. To kill is wrong.

Sometimes it is necessary to kill. The Jedi may kill in self-defense or in defense of others, especially the weak and the good. The Jedi may kill, if by his action he preserves the existence of life. He may also kill for food. However, the Jedi must never forget that killing is inherently wrong. The death is a stain upon the Jedi's spirit.

The Jedi seeks knowledge and enlightenment, peace and harmony. The Jedi wishes to defeat those who would wipe out such qualities- those who would inflict death, tyranny or ignorance upon others- yet the Jedi should never act out of fear or hatred. A Jedi must act when calm and at peace with the Force. To act with anger filling one's spirit is to risk temptation to the Dark Side.

Jedi should seek nonviolent solutions to problems, but this isn't always possible. Sometimes killing or fighting is the only answer available. Sometimes it is even the best answer. But that doesn't mean the Jedi shouldn't try to find an alternative.

Inherent in the Jedi Code is the concept of responsibility for one's actions.

A Jedi who uses the Force to coerce or control others is surely tending toward the Dark Side. But other, subtler abuses of power also lead to the Darkness- Jedi should never use their powers for fame, wealth or power. A Jedi who constantly uses the Force for personal gain is on the path of corruption- perhaps more slowly then the Dark Jedi who chooses to serve evil, but he is on that path nonetheless.

True Jedi use their powers sparingly and only when necessary to fulfill the tenets of the Jedi Code. A Jedi who depends on the Force is abusing it, which leads to folly.

The Jedi Code

There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no death; there is the Force.

Some Jedi choose to insert an additional line:

The Jedi Code

There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no chaos; there is harmony.
There is no death; there is the Force.

Some Jedi also know the following set of lines, which, while less of a code, could be considered a motto:

The Jedi Motto

Peace over anger.
Honor over hate.
Strength over fear.

Certainly a Jedi should know the code and motto, by word and by heart. But seemingly every Jedi is in some fashion negligent, from the beginner to the most knowledgeable among us. Consequently, if someone were to demand, "What is the true meaning of the Jedi Code?" The Jedi who promptly answered would be rare indeed.