How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
Quote #1
Hoping to resolve the matter with a blockade of deadly battleships, the greedy Trade Federation has stopped all shipping to the small planet of Naboo.
We don't know much about Viceroy Gunray. We don't know the specifics of his problem with the trade tax or what Lord Sidious promised him that made him think, "Yeah, the guy talks like a demon must be on the up-and-up." All we know we get from the opening crawl: He's greedy. This drives him to make some ultra-poor decisions.
Quote #2
QUI-GON: Battle droids.
OBI-WAN: It's an invasion army.
QUI-GON: This is an odd play for the Trade Federation. We've got to warn the Naboo and contact Chancellor Valorum. Let's split up. Stow aboard separate ships and meet down on the planet.
This battle isn't Qui-Gon's fight, so his decision to warn the Naboo is altruistic of him. We imagine he could have easily stolen a ship and saved his own butt. Although if he's going down with the invasion army, how much forewarning can he possibly give the Naboo? A minute? Two, tops?
Quote #3
BOSS NASS: Wesa no like da Naboo. Tkk-tkk-tkk-tkk-tkk-tkk-tkk. Da Naboo tink day so smarty. Day tink day brains so big.
OBI-WAN: Once those droids take control of the surface, they will take control of you.
BOSS NASS: Mesa no tink so. Day not know of uss-en.
OBI-WAN: You and the Naboo form a symbiont circle. What happens to one of you will affect the other. You must understand this.
BOSS NASS: Wesa no carrre-nn about da Naboo.
Boss Nass only considers the needs of his own people, neglecting the Naboo due to his distrust. While not as greedy as Sidious or Gunray, Boss Nass lacks the compassion of characters like Obi-Wan, and he'll pay for it when the droid army is finished occupying the Naboo.
Quote #4
MAUL: At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge.
We get three lines out of Darth Maul, but that's all we need to know this is a greedy character. Unlike justice, which seeks to punish under the law for deterrence and social benefit, revenge enacts punishment outside the law in order to benefit oneself alone.
Quote #5
QUI-GON: You should be very proud of your son. He gives without any thought of reward.
SHMI: Well, he knows nothing of greed. He has a—
QUI-GON: He has special powers.
SHMI: Yes.
Anakin knows nothing of greed, and so he joins the side of the heroes. Done and done. Sure, you can argue that he was racing to win his own freedom, but he didn't know about Qui-Gon's backroom betting. For all he knew, he'd do all the work and others would reap the rewards.
Quote #6
WATTO: Don't get me wrong, no. I have great faith in the boy. He's a credit to your race, but, uh, Sebulba there is going to win, I think.
QUI-GON: Why do you think that?
WATTO: He always wins! [Laughing.] I am betting heavily on Sebulba.
QUI-GON: I'll take that bet.
WATTO: You what?
QUI-GON: I'll wager my new racing pod against, say, the boy and his mother.
Watto is super greedy. Crazy greedy. So greedy that it's a detriment to his wellbeing. In the original bet, Watto would win regardless of the race's outcome: he'd get the prize money if Anakin won or the Nubian cruiser if he didn't. But he wants more, more, and, better still, even more. This leads him to bet heavily on Sebulba, and he loses everything when Anakin takes home the cup.
Quote #7
ANAKIN: You're coming with us, aren't you, Mom?
SHMI: Son, my place is here. My future is here. It is time for you to let go.
ANAKIN: I don't want things to change.
SHMI: But you can't stop the change any more than you can stop the suns from setting.
There is a greedy streak in Anakin, but it isn't for wealth or material possessions. Anakin fears change and losing loved ones, and he selfishly clings to those close to him. It's a type of avarice that we can all relate to, and Anakin's inability to overcome it will ultimately lead him to become Darth Vader.
Quote #8
PALPATINE: I feel confident our situation will create a strong sympathy vote for us. I will be chancellor.
PADMÉ: I fear by the time you have control of the bureaucrats, Senator, there'll be nothing left of our people, our way of life.
Palpatine and Padmé are the yin and yang of the political world in Star Wars. Palpatine uses politics to increase his status and power in the universe, whereas Padmé uses her political power to help those in need. By the end of the prequel trilogy, Palpatine becomes emperor of the galaxy and Padmé dies… wait, what is the moral of these films again?