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

I cannot deactivate the auto-destruct, but at least I have the satisfaction that you will die with us.

Jean-Luc Picard

[beaming out] Not, I think, today, Commander.

Travel time to the nearest starbase?

Data

[OC] At maximum warp, in two years, seven months, three days, eighteen hours we would reach Starbase 185.

Why?

Q

Why? Why, to give you a taste of your future, a preview of things to come. Con permiso, Capitan. The hall is rented, the orchestra engaged. It's now time to see if you can dance.

Jean-Luc Picard

Guinan, your people have been in this part of the galaxy.

What can you tell us?

Guinan

Only that if I were you, I'd start back now.

Q

The Borg is the ultimate user. They're unlike any threat your Federation has ever faced. They're not interested in political conquest, wealth or power as you know it. They're simply interested in your ship. Its technology. They've identified it as something they can consume.

You brought us here, you exposed us to it, and you cost us the lives of our ship-mates!

Q

Oh, please...

Jean-Luc Picard

(to Riker) Number One. (to Q) Eighteen of our people have died. Please, tell us that this is one of your illusions.

Q

Oh, no. This is as real as your so-called life gets. [disappears]

Q

That was a difficult admission. Another man would have been humiliated to say those words. Another man would have rather died than ask for help.

Jean-Luc Picard

I understand what you've done here, Q, but I think the lesson could have been learned without the loss of eighteen members of my crew.

Q

If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here! It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross...but it's not for the timid.

Jean-Luc Picard

Come. Yes, what is it, Number One?

William Riker

Is something wrong? This trip to Starbase Five One Five is rather unexpected.

Jean-Luc Picard

Ensign Crusher and I will rendezvous with you on your return from the Epsilon Pulsar Cluster.

William Riker

Forgive my saying so, sir, but you're being rather enigmatic.

Jean-Luc Picard

Consider it Captain's privilege.

William Riker

As First Officer, I have complete security clearance.

Jean-Luc Picard

This has nothing to do with ship's business, Number One. Suffice it to say, it is strictly a matter of image.

Wesley Crusher

Didn't you ever wish you had kids of your own?

Jean-Luc Picard

Wishing for a thing does not make it so.

Jean-Luc Picard

Did you read that book I gave you?

Wesley Crusher

Some of it.

Jean-Luc Picard

That's reassuring.

Wesley Crusher

I just don't have much time.

Jean-Luc Picard

There is no greater challenge than the study of philosophy.

Wesley Crusher

But William James won't be in my Starfleet exams.

Jean-Luc Picard

The important things never will be. Anyone can be trained in the mechanics of piloting a starship.

Wesley Crusher

But Starfleet Academy

Jean-Luc Picard

It takes more. Open your mind to the past. Art, history, philosophy. And all this may mean something.

Jean-Luc Picard

For ambitious Starfleet officers, there are certain costs involved. One must be cautious of long-term commitments, Wesley.

Wesley Crusher

No problem. Where women are concerned, I am in complete control.

Jean-Luc Picard

Really? I always rather had to work at that.

Wesley Crusher

Have you always been so disciplined?

Jean-Luc Picard

Good Lord, no. [indicates his heart] If I was, I wouldn't have this problem.

Jean-Luc Picard

(telling Wesley about his early career) My mates and I were at the Bonestell Recreation Facility, which was something of a dead rough crossroads at the time, filled with an assorted bunch of galactic riffraff. When a trio of Nausicaans came in, they were clearly spoiling for a confrontation with a group of fresh-faced Starfleet officers such as ourselves. Well, everyone in the group had the good sense to give these Nausicaans a wide berth, to stand off. Everyone, that is, except me. I stood toe to toe with the worst of the three, and I told him what I thought of him, his pals, his planet, and I possibly made some passing reference to his questionable parentage. And the next thing I knew, all three of them were on me and I was fighting for my life. I was actually doing quite well for a while, too.

Wesley Crusher

You fought them? And won?

Jean-Luc Picard

I had this one Nausicaan down in this somewhat devious joint-lock when, unbeknownst to me, one of his chums drew his weapon and impaled me through the back. Curious sensation, actually. Not much pain. Shock, certainly, at the sight of serrated metal sticking through my chest. A certain giddy warmth. In fact I do actually remember that I laughed out loud. Well, it pierced my heart, of course. Well, if we'd not been so near to a medical facility, I would surely have died.

Wesley Crusher

Really? Then what happened?

Jean-Luc Picard

Nothing. I was no hero, Wesley. I was an undisciplined, loud-mouthed, opinionated young man who was way out of his league. I learned a very hard, very painful lesson that day, but I learned it well. I hope you never have to learn it the same way.

Jean-Luc Picard

[before entering the medical facility at Starbase 515] Why do I get the distinct impression that you're acting like some kind of... escort?

Wesley Crusher

Dr. Pulaski asked me to make sure that you actually went inside.

Jean-Luc Picard

That woman! She would.

Jean-Luc Picard

[waking up after the operation] What the hell are *you* doing here?

Saving your life.

Jean-Luc Picard

Oh, come on. This is a routine procedure - quite commonplace.

True. But you are not a commonplace man.

Jean-Luc Picard

I didn't want you involved in this.

You're welcome.

Jean-Luc Picard

If you're here... the entire crew must know.

You're still the Captain - invincible.

Jean-Luc Picard

I beg your pardon?

Geordi La Forge

Looks like things are back to normal.

Jean-Luc Picard

I'm pleased to report that Ensign Crusher's Starfleet exam results permit him to continue his studies on board the Enterprise. Furthermore, any rumours of my brush with death are greatly exaggerated. Is that clear?

William Riker

Yes, sir.

Jean-Luc Picard

Then, Ensign Crusher, set course for the Epsilon Sector, warp five. Engage.

Isn't that just like a man! You make these grandiose decisions, but you never stop to consider the poor women!

Picard

Miss Odell, I -

You men draw a mug and solve all the problems of the world while the beer goes down, but, when it comes to the practical matters, it always falls to the women to make your grand dreams come true!

Picard

Miss Odell, you were the one who wanted a new home.

But I don't know if I want to be Eve!

Picard

It's your choice. If you wish, you can stay on the Enterprise. We will drop you at a starbase, then you can go where you wish.

Leave my da?

Picard

If this is going to work, these people will need your strength...your guidance.

(under her breath, gazing up as if to heaven) Oh, damn...(she looks thoughtfully at the Prime Minister) What does he do again?

Picard

Prime Minister.

Hmmm. Sounds important.

Picard

Oh, it is.

Sounds like he might have more than two coins to rub together. (impish look) Three husbands...?

Troi

It seems, Captain, that you are the early favorite. (to become her mother's husband)

Riker

Congratulations, sir!

Picard

I'm not amused, Number One.