Every corner of fandom has one-liners that have seeped into the consciousness of society, becoming universally recognizable. Of course, Star Trek is no different.
Here is a list of 28 Star Trek one-liners of which most people are aware. Some of these quotes have made their way into other areas of pop-culture. Some of these quotes have been paraphrased. Some have been used by judges when giving verdicts. There may be one, or two, on the list that escape some people.
1. Space: the final frontier.
—Captain James T. Kirk and Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the opening title sequence for Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation
2. KHAAANNN!
–Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
3. What does God need with a starship?
–Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
4. Fascinating.
—Mr. Spock in numerous episodes and movies.
5. Highly illogical.
–Mr. Spock in numerous episodes and movies.
6. Live long and prosper.
–Mr. Spock in numerous episodes and movies.
7. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.
–Mr. Spock in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
8. I have been and always shall be your friend.
–Mr. Spock in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
9. He’s dead, Jim!
—Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy in many episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series
10. I am a doctor, not a brick layer.*
–Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode The Devil in the Dark
11. I’m a doctor, not an escalator.
–Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode Friday’s Child
12. I’m a doctor, not a mechanic.
–Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode The Doomsday Machine
13. I’m a doctor, not an engineer.
–Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode Mirror, Mirror
14. I’m a doctor, not a coal miner.
–Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode The Empath
15. I’m not a magician, Spock, just an old country doctor.
–Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode The Deadly Years
16. Dammit, Jim!
–Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy in many episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series and the movies.
17. Treat her like a lady, and she’ll always bring you home.
–Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Encounter at Farpoint
18. I canna’ change the laws of physics.
—Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode The Naked Time
19. I’ve giv’n her all she’s got captain, an’ I canna give her no more.
–Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in many episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series
20. There be whales here!
–Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
21. Engage!
–Captain Jean-Luc Picard in many episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation
22. Make it so!
–Captain Jean-Luc Picard in many episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation
23. Shut up, Wesley!
–Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Datalore
24. There are four lights!
–Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Chain of Command
25. Inquiry.
—Data in many episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation
26. I am not a merry man!
—Worf in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Qpid
27. It is a good day to die/ Perhaps today is a good day to die!
–Worf says variation of “a good day to to die” a number of times. “It is a good day to die” was said in the Star Trek: The Next Generataion episode Sins of the Father. Worf says, “Perhaps today IS a good day to die!” in Star Trek: First Contact
28. Resistance is futile.
—The Borg in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: First Contact
The most misquoted popular one-line from Star Trek is, “Beam me up, Scotty.” Variations of this line are spoken, but not once was that actual line used.
What are some of your favorite one-liners?
*The “I’m a doctor” meme is also used by Doctor Julian Bashir in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Doctor (EMH) in Star Trek: Voyager, and Doctor Phlox in Star Trek: Enterprise.
