Most-quoted character in Star Trek: The Original Series: in 191 of its 389 quotes Most scenes with: Mirror Spock (68), Leonard McCoy (28), Scotty Scott (9)
This is the Captain of the Enterprise. Our respect for other life forms requires that we give you this... warning. There is one critical item of information that has never been incorporated into the memory banks of any Earth ship. Since the early years of space exploration, Earth vessels have had incorporated into them a substance known as... corbomite. It is a material and a device which prevents attack on us. If any destructive energy touches our vessel, a reverse reaction of equal strength is created, destroying --
BBalok
You now have two minutes.
Kirk
-- destroying the attacker. It may interest you to know that since the initial use of corbomite more than two of our centuries ago, no attacking vessel has survived the attempt. Death has... little meaning to us. If it has none to you -- then attack us now. We grow annoyed at your foolishness.
[confronting Lt. Stiles] Well, here's one thing you can be sure of, mister. Leave any bigotry in your quarters, there's no room for it on the bridge. Do I make myself clear?
I picked this up from Dr. McCoy's log. We have a crew member on board who is showing signs of stress and fatigue. Reaction time down 9 to 12 percent. Associational reading Norm minus 3.
[continuing] Enjoy yourself, Captain. It's an interesting planet. I believe you'll find it quite pleasant, very much like your Earth. Scouts have detected no animals, artifacts, or forcefields of any kind. Only peace, sunshine, and good air. You'll have no problems.
Uh, Mr. Spock, there's really something I don't understand about all of this. And maybe you can explain it to me. Logically, of course. When you jettisoned the fuel and ignited it, you knew there was virtually no chance of it being seen, yet you did it anyhow. That would seem to be an act of desperation.
Quite simply, Captain. I examined the problem from all angles, and it was plainly hopeless. Logic informed me that, under the circumstances, the only possible action would have to be one of desperation. Logical decision, logically arrived at.
Kirk
Aha, ha ha. I see. You mean you reasoned that it was time for an emotional outburst.
Silence! This trial is over! You are guilty. On all counts you are guilty. And according to your own laws, this court has no choice in fixing punishment. You will hang by the neck Captain, until you are dead, dead, dead!
[to the helpless Gorn] No, I won't kill you. Maybe you thought you were...protecting yourself...when you attacked the outpost. [louder, to the Metrons] No, I won't kill him! Do you hear? You'll have to get your entertainment someplace else! [helpless Gorn disappears, and a Metron appears] You're a Metron?
By sparing your helpless enemy who surely would've destroyed you, you demonstrated the advanced trait of mercy, something we hardly expected. We feel that there may be hope for your kind. Therefore, you will not be destroyed. It would not be...civilized.
Very good, Captain. There is hope for you. Perhaps, in several thousand years, your people and mine shall meet to reach an agreement. You're still half-savage, but there is hope. We will contact you when we are ready.
Star Trek: The Original Series · 389 quotes
Kirk
