Jean-Luc Picard quotes from Star Trek: The Next Generation

Picard

Yes, Ensign Laren, please sit down -

Ensign Ro

Ensign Ro, sir.

Picard

(nonplussed) I beg your pardon?

Ensign Ro

The Bajoran custom has the family name first, the individual's name second. I am properly addressed as 'Ensign Ro'.

Picard

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

Ensign Ro

(shrugging) No, there's no reason you should. It's an old custom; most Bajora these days accept the distortion of their names in order to assimilate. (brief pause before she sits) I do not.

I cannot condone violence against people who are not our enemy.

Jean-Luc Picard

Then I don't understand why you're unwilling [to help us].

Because... you're innocent bystanders. You were innocent bystanders for decades as the Cardassians took our homes. As they violated and tortured our people in the most hideous ways imaginable. As we were forced to flee.

Picard

We were saddened by those events, but they occurred within the borders of the Cardassian Empire.

And the Federation is pledged not to interfere with the internal affairs of others. How convenient that must be for you. To turn a deaf ear to those who suffer behind a line on a map.

Picard

Well, I'm not here to debate Federation policy with you, but I can offer you assistance.

Simply because of one terrorist attack? Well, perhaps I should have known, we should have attacked the Federation long ago.

We live in different universes, you and I. Yours is about diplomacy, politics, strategy. Mine is about blankets! If we were to exchange places for one night, you might better understand.

Picard

Mr. Data, see that the replicators provide a blanket for every man, woman, and child before nightfall.

Jean-Luc Picard

[Touches comm badge] Bridge, this is Picard. This is the captain, does anyone read me?

[crying] Why don't they answer?!

Picard

I don't know.

They're all dead.

Picard

They're not dead, communication is down, that's all.

We're going to die, too.

Data

These quarters were obviously intended for one crewman, sir. There is only one sleeping space.

Jean-Luc Picard

I'm sure the Klingons found it amusing to put us in here together.

Data

Since I do not require sleep, I propose you take the... shelf, sir. I am content to stand.

Spock

[to Picard] In your own way, you are as stubborn as another Captain of the Enterprise I once knew.

Jean-Luc Picard

Then I'm in good company, sir.

Jean-Luc Picard

I have two choices. Either way, one version of history or another will wend its way forward. The history you know or another one. Now, who is to say which is better? What I do know is here, today, one way, millions of lives could be saved! Now isn't that incentive enough?

Everyone dies, Captain! It's just a question of when! All of those people down there died years before I was born! All of you up here, as well! So you see, I can't get quite as worked up as you over the fate of some colonists who, for me, have been dead a very, very long time.

Picard

Of course, you know of the Prime Directive, which tells us that we have no right to interfere with the natural evolution of alien worlds. Now I have sworn to uphold it... but nevertheless I have disregarded that directive, on more than one occasion. Because I thought it was the right thing to do! Now, if you are holding on to some... temporal equivalent of that directive, then isn't it possible that you have an occasion here to make an exception? To help me to choose, because it's the right thing to do?

We're not just talking about a choice. It sounds to me like you're trying to manipulate the future.

Picard

Every choice we make allows us to manipulate the future! Do I, um... "Do I ask Adrienne or Suzanne to the spring dance?" "Do I take my holiday on Corsica or on Risa?" A person's life, their future, hinges on each of a thousand choices. Living is making choices! Now you ask me to believe that if I make a choice other than the one found in your history books, then your past will be irrevocably altered. Well, you know, Professor, perhaps I don't give a damn about your past, because your past is my future and as far as I'm concerned, it hasn't been written yet!

It has been three centuries since anyone was treated for this... this form of rape. But there are medical records from that era. It was a time of great violence among my people. A time we thought we had put far behind us. That this could happen now... it's unimaginable.

Jean-Luc Picard

Earth was once a violent planet, too. At times the chaos threatened the very fabric of life, but, like you, we evolved. We found better ways to handle our conflicts. But I think no one can deny that the seed of violence remains within each of us. We must recognize that, because that violence is capable of consuming each of us, as it consumed your son.

Jean-Luc Picard

Contact the operations officer to assist you.

Geordi La Forge

Aye, sir.

Ensign Ro

He's in Ten-Forward... waiting tables.

Jean-Luc Picard

My aunt Adelle cured a lot of sleepless nights with this steaming milk.

Beverly Crusher

Thank you. Mmm, nutmeg.

Picard

Whenever I get insomnia, I try to perfect the recipe.

Beverly Crusher

Thank you, for everything.

Picard

Uh uh. Thank Aunt Adelle.

Jean-Luc Picard

The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth -- and that means the whole truth -- whether it's scientific truth, or historical truth, or personal truth! It is the guiding principle on which Starfleet is based! If you can't find it within yourself to come forward and tell the whole story of what happened, then you don't deserve to wear that uniform! I'm going to make it very simple for you, Mister Crusher. Either you tell Admiral Brand the true cause of Josh Albert's death, or I will!

Wesley Crusher

...Then it's a no-win situation, like the Kobayashi Maru. Whatever I do, or even if I do nothing, the result is the same. All four of us get --

Jean-Luc Picard

(sharply cutting him off) DISMISSED!

Beverly Crusher

I wish I knew how I could help.

Jean-Luc Picard

Perhaps I just needed a shoulder.

Beverly Crusher

Well it's there for you, Jean-Luc. It always has been.

Picard

Would you try to answer some questions for me? No matter how strange they may seem to you?

Of course.

The happiest day of my life was the day we got married.

Picard

And what do I do — here in Ressik?

You are the best iron weaver in the community — at least I think so. You prefer playing the flute, of course.

Picard

The flute?

Yes. [she gets up, finds his flute and hands it to him]

Picard

When did I learn to play this?

I'm afraid you never did, dear. You do keep trying.

Picard

[blows a few feeble notes] I see what you mean. … Well, thank you for the soup. Thank you for your help. Tomorrow, will you help me send a message?

Of course. Will you come to bed?

Picard

Oh, I'll sleep here.

Kamin, please come with me.

Picard

I've been sick. I'd be tossing and turning; it wouldn't be fair to you.

Let me be the judge of that.