In the Star Wars universe, morality is usually presented through a binary lens; the Empire is bad while the Rebels are supposedly good. Similarly, this dynamic is applied to the Jedi and Sith creeds, consistent across its media from books to comics and even MMOs.

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However, this is not necessarily true. The Jedi Order's legacy is one shrouded in darkness, and many qualities of the Sith that should be redeeming go unnoticed due to their atrocities. Restoring moral balance in the overall narrative enriches it as a whole, and all one must do to realize it is emphasize components of the existing story which are seldom acknowledged.

10 Jedi - Destroying The Martez Family

Rafa and Trace Martez were two young women living on Coruscant whose lives were ruined by the Order. After an alien shot at a transport system, a Jedi redirected the doomed shuttle from a more populated area to their home, killing their parents in the process.

While these fatalities may have been unavoidable and the Jedi did send their condolences, the two sisters continued to live in poverty all the same. It became so egregious that they considered dealing alongside dangerous criminal syndicates.

9 Sith - Giving Power To The Powerless

One of the Sith's most redeeming qualities is their willingness to embrace power in all its forms. This levels the playing field against otherwise impossible opponents that they would not be able to thwart through Jedi morality and is sometimes even applied for defense, rather than attack.

An example comes from how Ventress managed to defeat General Grievous during his brutal campaign against Dathomir. Though the droid commander may have been able to force them back, the battle was much closer with the dark side of the force utilized to defend the indigenous Nightsisters.

8 Jedi - Rebuking Emotions

One of the core tenants of the Jedi Order is "There is no emotion, there is peace."  This might sound superficially intellectual,  but it often inhibits their ability to act in the interest of the greater good, with calamitous results.

An example comes from their mistreatment of Anakin; namely by Mace Windu. Despite how he had served the council faithfully, Windu talked down to him, bludgeoning him with his authority to bend him into submission. If he had considered Anakin's feelings, he may have been able to subvert his wrath and prevent his later betrayal.

7 Sith - Embracing Individuality

While a Sith apprentice might be obliged to obey their master, their creed overall is much more liberating than that of their Jedi counterparts. It empowers them to explore their interests and enjoy the fruits of their labor, rather than expecting them to bottle their passions for the sake of a council that doesn't appreciate them.

An example comes from the ambitions demonstrated by Darth Maul in his usurping of Death Watch and its grip over Mandalore. Through the power he had learned under Lord Sidious, the Force had ~ quite literally ~ set him free.

6 Jedi - Willingness To Manipulate Others

Qui-Gon tries to use the Force on Watto

When Qui-Gon wanted to pay for a generator, he offered Republic credits to Watto, who had shown him hospitality until that point. When Watto refused (as government fiat was relatively useless on the desert planet of Tattooine), he attempted to use the Force to make him agree to the deal. Essentially, he intended to steal it with a clean conscience.

While one could attempt to divorce Qui-Gon's actions from those of the council, it is important to remember that he was a Jedi master. Therefore, the Order had condoned his actions, highlighting their corruption.

5 Sith - Sustaining Life

palpatine anakin Cropped

Despite how the Jedi claim to preserve life, the Sith have advanced far beyond simply defending it. Through the genius of Darth Plagueis, they have uncovered the secret to extending their own mortality and even create new life from the Force.

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These techniques could lead to revolutionary medical advances, though the Jedi fear their unorthodox means too much to attempt them. Because of this, they place their hubris over the sanctity of that which they purport to protect ~ arrogance which would later turn Anakin against them.

4 Jedi - Theocratic Militants

The Jedi Order was allegedly assembled only to keep the peace, though, given their involvement in the Clone Wars, this is a dubious claim at best. They have led countless attacks against the enemies of the Republic, working as political agents in service of Palpatine's agenda.

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Their relationship with the Republic and influence in the military places them above the other planets represented in the senate as unelected galactic enforcers. It is especially worrying for the alien races which may not share or be comfortable with the Jedi's convictions.

3 Sith - The Rule Of Two

The rule of two is one of the most important Sith doctrines. It entails that there may only be two Sith at any given time; a master and an apprentice. Though this may weaken the potential the Sith have to defeat the Jedi considerably (especially because they would be outnumbered by the thousands), it also allows them to maintain much more order within their rank.

With such a scarce number of Sith roaming the galaxy, it is much easier to hold them accountable for their actions than those of a rogue Jedi such as the unhinged Pong Krell.

2 Jedi - Casting Out Ahsoka

Ahsoka walking away from Anakin

When Ahsoka was brought before the Jedi Council, they convicted her despite insufficient evidence of the crime she allegedly committed. This would satisfy their egos and presence on the galactic stage, though it was unfair to the once starry-eyed Padawan who risked life and limb for their cause.

Even the nobler members of the council would not speak up on her behalf. Obi-Wan remained silent as Mace Windu grilled her, and while he would vote in her favor when the time came, it would not swing the outcome of the decision.

1 Sith - Honesty

The Sith may have a dark history, but they make no compunctions about hiding it. They are explicitly honest in their intentions, from Darth Maul's visceral howls of revenge to Sidious's open veneration of Luke's anger toward his father.

This contrasts the Jedi, who shroud their objectives in moral piety, break their own rules, and often cause as many problems as they solve in their ventures across the galaxy. Despite the sanctimony the Jedi present themselves with, the Sith are astonishingly more straightforward in their goals.

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