“Thin Ice” quotes from Doctor Who

So how do we stay out of trouble?

Well, I'm not the right person to ask.

Travelling to the past, there's got to be rules. If I step on a butterfly, it could send ripples through time that mean I'm not even born yet in the first place, and I could just disappear.

Definitely. I mean, that's what happened to Pete.

Pete?

Your friend, Pete. He was standing there a moment ago. He stepped on a butterfly. Now you don't even remember him.

Shut up! I'm being serious.

So was Pete.

Regency England. Bit more black than they show in the movies.

So was Jesus. History's a whitewash.

If you care so much, tell me how many people you've seen die?

I don't know.

Okay. How many before you lost count?

I care, Bill. But I move on.

Yeah, how quickly?

It's not me you're angry with.

Have you ever killed anyone? There's a look in your eyes sometimes that makes me wonder. Have you?

There are situations when the options available are limited.

Not what I asked.

Sometimes the choices are very-

That's not what I asked!

Yes.

How many?

Don't tell me. (disgusted) You've moved on.

And you know what happens if I don't move on? More people die. There are kids living rough near here, they may well be next on the menu. Do you want to help me, or do you want to stand here stamping your foot? Because let me tell you something, I'm 2,000 years old... and I have never had the time for the luxury of outrage.

Human progress isn't measured by industry. It's measured by the value you place on a life. An unimportant life. A life without privilege. The boy who died on the river, that boy's value is your value. That's what defines an age. That's what defines a species.

What a beautiful speech. The rhythm and... and vocabulary are quite outstanding. It's enough to move anyone with an ounce of compassion. So it's really not your day, is it?