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

Jean-Luc Picard

We leave behind a being of extraordinary power... and conscience. I am not certain if he should be praised or condemned... only that he should be left alone.

Picard

Millennia ago, they abandoned their belief in the supernatural. Now you are asking me to sabotage that achievement, to send them back into the dark ages of superstition and ignorance and fear? NO!

Jean-Luc Picard

A matter of internal security: the age-old cry of the oppressor.

Jean-Luc Picard

We have everything we need for our report. Your prisoner has been returned to you. You have a decision to make: either try to force them back or welcome them home. In your own words, this is not our affair. We cannot interfere with the natural course of your society's development and I'd say it's likely to develop significantly during the next several minutes.

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard

History has shown us that strength may be useless when faced with terrorism.

Jean-Luc Picard

Q, you exceed your own standards for self-preoccupation.

Jean-Luc Picard

(prior to battle) Attention all hands! As you know, we could outrun the Klingon vessels, but we must protect the Enterprise-C until she re-enters the temporal rift. And we must succeed. Let's make sure that history never forgets the name Enterprise.

Jean-Luc Picard

There are times, sir, when men of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders. You acknowledge their sentience, but ignore their personal liberties and freedom. Order a man to turn his child over to the state? Not while I'm his captain.

Jean-Luc Picard

[following his mind-meld with Sarek, who is carrying out negotiations with the Legarans] NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [screams in frustration, angrily yells with sobbing] It is... it is... wrong! IT IS WROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!! ...A lifetime of discipline washed away, and in its place... [growls angrily awkwardly, then scolding] Bedlam. BEDLAM! I'm being torn apart; nothing but dry bones and dead friends! And...This is not my fault! I - wanted - to give you - so much more. I wanted to show you such... t- t- tenderness. But that is not our way. Spock... Amanda... Did you know? P-Perrin, can you - know... how - much I - love - you?! I - do - LOVE YOU!!! [Picard weeps heavily, then sinks down, sobbing. Beverly gently puts her hand on his shoulder and manages to compose himself] ...The anguish of the man. The despair pouring out of him...all those feelings, all those regrets. [sobs] I c- I can't... stop them! I can't stop them, I can't be free of this pain...[breaks down crying]

Jean-Luc Picard

The Academy must make you wait- that's true. But upon reviewing your service to this ship, your crewmates, I cannot in good conscience make you wait for the Academy. You see, Wesley, in my eyes you are an acting Ensign in title only. I hereby grant you Field Promotion to Full Ensign with all the commensurate responsibilities and privileges of that rank. Congratulations. You're dismissed.

Picard

Ever since I was a child, I've always known exactly what I wanted to do: be a member of Starfleet. Nothing else mattered to me. Virtually my entire youth was spent in the pursuit of that goal. In fact...I probably skipped my childhood altogether.

Jean-Luc Picard

The loyalty you would so quickly dismiss does not come easily to my people, Gul Macet. You have much to learn about us. Benjamin Maxwell earned the loyalty of those who served with him. In war, he was twice honored with the Federation's highest citation for his courage and valor. And if he could not find a role for himself in peace, we can pity him, but we shall not dismiss him. [turns his back on the Cardassian officer] Take this message to your leaders, Gul Macet. "We'll be watching."

Jean-Luc Picard

In the hands of a con artist, fear can be used to motivate obedience, capitulation, the exploitation of innocent people - and that is what I believe has happened here and I intend to prove that.

Jean-Luc Picard

I've encountered many who are more credibly to be called the devil than you.

Picard

What would it be like, Counselor? No ship, no bulky space suit. Just to live between the stars… and have the entire galaxy as a home.