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

Picard

Five hundred years ago, military officers would upend a drum in a battlefield, sit at it and dispense summary justice. Decisions were quick, punishments severe, appeals denied. Those who came to a drumhead were doomed.

Jean-Luc Picard

I'd be delighted to offer any advice I have on understanding women. When I have some, I'll let you know.

Jean-Luc Picard

[to a disengaged Borg male teen, in the manner of "Locutus"] This is a primitive culture. I am here to facilitate its incorporation.

Jean-Luc Picard

There are many parts of my youth that I'm not proud of. There were loose threads - untidy parts of me that I would like to remove. But when I pulled on one of those threads, it unraveled the tapestry of my life.

Picard

[over ship's intercom] To all Starfleet personel, this is the Captain. It is my sad duty to inform you that a member of the crew, Ensign Sito Jaxa has been lost in the line of duty. She was the finest example of a Starfleet officer and a young woman of remarkable courage and strength of character. Her loss will be deeply felt by all who knew her. Picard out.

Jean-Luc Picard

One thing is clear: you'll never look at your hairline the same way again.

Jean-Luc Picard

Space... The final frontier... These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission: To explore strange new worlds... To seek out new life and new civilizations... To boldly go where no one has gone before!

Q

It is an unknown, Captain. Isn't that enough?

Jean-Luc Picard

If you'd earned that uniform you're wearing you'd know that the unknown is what brings us out here.

Data

"There was a young lady from Venus, whose body was shaped like a..."

Jean-Luc Picard

[frantically cutting off Data] Captain to Security, come in!

Data

Did I say something wrong?

Worf

I don't understand their humor, either.

Beverly Crusher

Where are the calluses we doctors are supposed to grow over our feelings?

Jean-Luc Picard

Perhaps the good ones never get them.

Data

For example, what Lutan did is similar to what certain American Indians once did called "counting coup." That is from an obscure language known as French. "Counting coup..."

Jean-Luc Picard

Mr. Data, the French language for centuries on Earth represented civilization.

Data

Indeed? But surely, sir...

William Riker

I suggest you drop it, Mr. Data.

Data

Yes, sir. "Counting coup" could be something as simple as touching an enemy with a stick in battle or taking something from him and escaping.

Jean-Luc Picard

You speak of a code of honor, but what you are saying now, according to our customs, is called an act of war.

This is not an act of war, but of love! I want Lieutenant Yar to become my first one.

I challenge your right of supersedence!

No woman has challenged supersedence for over 200 years!

The right is mine, and I will have it. Natasha Yar, I challenge you to a struggle to the death.

Jean-Luc Picard

No! The challenge is unequivocally refused.

Then you shall have no treaty! No vaccine! And no Lieutenant Yar!

Data

[his fingers in a Chinese finger trap] Apologies, Captain. I seem to have reached an odd functional impasse. I am, uh... stuck.

Jean-Luc Picard

Then get unstuck and continue with the briefing.

Data

Yes, sir. That is what I'm trying to do, sir, but the solution eludes me.

Geordi La Forge

My hero.

Jean-Luc Picard

...where is this place?

Data

Where none have gone before.

[booming voice] State... the... purpose. State the purpose of what you have done.

Jean-Luc Picard

I'm Captain Picard, commanding this Federation starship.

State the purpose of your visit here.

Jean-Luc Picard

We have sent down what we call an away team, to make peaceful contact here.

Do you plan to leave life-forms here?

Jean-Luc Picard

No. We are merely visiting here.

But you did more at the world you just left. Why have you left your own life-forms there?

Data

The colony we just planted, sir.

Jean-Luc Picard

We found that world uninhabited. The life-forms we left there had... had sought the challenge-- at least, that is the basic reason-- had sought the challenge of creating a new lifestyle-- a new society there. Life on our world is driven to protect itself by seeding itself as widely as possible.

Do not interfere with my children below.