In Tribute: Picard's Best Quotes, as Elevated by Patrick Stewart

Sir Patrick Stewart is dead. He was so many things, including (arguably) the best Star Trek Captain. And while I might have a different preference there, I do have to admit that Stewart’s portrayal of Captain Picard had a huge impact on my life. He was my space dad—imparting wisdom on a young me as I watched episodes of The Next Generation—sometimes as they aired originally, sometimes in reruns.

To celebrate the life of Sir Patrick Stewart and the Captain that inspired so many, I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes of Picard’s—elevated by the gravitas of such a great actor.

On Failure

"It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life."

— TNG: "Peak Performance"

On Injustice

"With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably."

— TNG: "The Drumhead"

On Mortality

"Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives. I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment because it will never come again."

— Star Trek Generations

On Absolutes

"There can be no justice so long as laws are absolute. Even life itself is an exercise in exceptions."

— TNG: "Justice"

On Living

"Seize the time... Live now! Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again."

— TNG: "The Inner Light"

On The Impossible

"Things are only impossible until they're not."

— TNG: "The Child"