Omnipotent: 36 Antagonistic “Q” quotes from Star Trek The Next Generation

The Best Q moments from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

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About Q

Portrayed by John de Lancie, Q was originally created by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry as a worthy successor to the omnipotent god-like character known as Trelane in the Star Trek TOS episode, “The Squire of Gothos.” In which Captain Kirk, Spock, McCoy and a handful of Starfleet Officers are held captive at the whim of this alien being who wields unchecked power.

Like Trelane, Q is just as omnipotent but unlike Trelane he comes from a species known as the “Q” or the “Q Continuum” who are the self-appointed guardians of the universe. Charged with maintaining order, or in Q’s case, disorder.

Q has a specific interest in humans and a fascination with Captain Picard not unlike that of a Master and his Pet. Because of this reason, Q is featured in numerous Star Trek episodes as part-antagonist and part-teacher. Many of his famous quotes are delivered in full French Military garb and are intended to frustrate Captain Picard which he does so incredibly well and to humorous effect for the viewer.

Best Q quotes from Star Trek The Next Generation

“You must return to your world and put an end to the commies. All it takes are a few good men.”

“Captain, you may find that you are not nearly clever enough to deal with what lies ahead for you.”

“I see now, it was too simple a puzzle. Generosity has always been my… weakness.”

“Thou art notified that thy kind hath infiltrated the galaxy too far already. Thou art directed to return to thine own solar system immediately.”

Q: You will now answer to the charge of being a grievously savage race.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: ‘Grievously savage’ could mean anything. I will answer only specific charges.
Q: Are you certain you want a full disclosure of human ugliness? So be it, fool.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If you’d earned that uniform you’re wearing, you’d know that the unknown is what brings us out here.
Q: Wasted effort considering human intelligence.

“Soldiers, you will press those triggers if this criminal answers with any word other than ‘guilty’.”

Q: You seem to find this all very amusing.
Commander William T. Riker: I might – if we weren’t on our way to help some suffering and dying humans, who…
Q: Ah, your species is always suffering and dying.

RELATED: 60 Best Commander Data quotes from Star Trek TNG and Star Trek Picard

q quotes star trek the next generation

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Whatever it is, why do you demonstrate it through this confrontation? Why not a simple, direct explanation, a statement of what you seek? Why these games?
Q: Why these games? Why, the play is the thing. And I’m surprised you have to ask when your human, Shakespeare, explained it all so well.

“’Drink not with thine enemy.’ The rigid Klingon code. Explains something of why you defeated them.”

“The Enterprise is now helpless, stuck like an Earth insect in amber while its bridge crew plays out a game whose real intent is to test if their first officer is worthy of the greatest gift the Q can offer.”

“Con permiso, Capitan. The hall is rented, the orchestra engaged. It’s now time to see if you can dance.”

“You judge yourselves against the pitiful adversaries you’ve encountered so far – the Romulans, the Klingons. They’re nothing compared to what’s waiting. Picard – you are about to move into areas of the galaxy containing wonders more incredible than you can possibly imagine – and terrors to freeze your soul.”

“Microbrain. Growl for me, let me know you still care.”

“You can’t outrun them, you can’t destroy them. If you damage them, the essence of what they are remains. They regenerate and keep coming. Eventually you will weaken. Your reserves will be gone. They are relentless!”

“You’re an impossibly stubborn human.”

“If necessary, although I can’t imagine why, I will renounce my powers and become as weak and as incompetent as all of you.”

“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.”

Q: I’ve been entirely preoccupied by a most frightening experience of my own. A couple of hours ago, I realized that my body was no longer functioning properly. I felt weak, I could no longer stand. The life was oozing out of me, I lost consciousness.
Capt. Picard: You fell asleep.

“There are creatures in the universe who would consider you the ultimate achievement, android. No feelings, no emotions, no pain… And yet you covet those qualities of humanity. Believe me, you’re missing nothing. But if it means anything to you – you’re a better human than I.”

q quotes star trek the next generation

“I’m in a really bad mood. And since I’ve never eaten before, I should be… very hungry.”

“It was a mistake. I never should have picked human. I knew it the moment I said it. To think of a future in this shell… forced to cover myself with a fabric because of some outdated human morality, to say nothing of being too hot or too cold. Growing feeble with age, losing my hair, catching a disease, being ticklish, sneezing, having an itch, a pimple, bad breath… Having to bathe!

Q2: You know, you’re incorrigible, Q, you’re a lost cause. I can’t go to a single solar system without having to apologize for you. And I’m tired of it!
Q: I wasn’t the one who “misplaced” the entire Deltived asteroid belt!

“These aren’t my colors!”

“As I learn more and more what it is to be human, I am more and more convinced that I would never make a good one. I don’t have what it takes. Without my powers, I’m frightened of everything. I’m a coward. And I’m miserable. And I can’t go on this way.”

“It is a joke – joke on me, joke of the universe. The king who would be man.”

“One creature’s torment is another creature’s delight.”

Q: What are you doing here?
Q2: Someone had to keep track of you.
Q: I always thought you were in my corner.
Q2: Actually, I was the one that got you kicked out.

“You just don’t get it, do you, Jean-Luc? The trial never ends. We wanted to see if you had the ability to expand your mind and your horizons. And for one brief moment, you did.”

“You’re not alone, you know. What you were, and what you are to become, will always be with you.”

“The Continuum didn’t think you had it in you, Jean-Luc. But I knew you did.”

q quotes star trek the next generation

Capt. Picard: We are what we are, and we’re doing the best we can. It is not for you to set the standards by which we should be judged!
Q: Oh, but it is, and we have. Time may be eternal, Captain, but our patience is not. It’s time to put an end to your trek through the stars, make room for other more worthy species.
Capt. Picard: You’re going to deny us travel through space?
Q: No! You obtuse piece of flotsam! You’re to be denied existence. Humanity’s fate has been sealed. You will be destroyed.

“You see this? This is you. I’m serious! Right here, life is about to form on this planet for the very first time. A group of amino acids are about to combine to form the first protein – the building blocks of what you call “life”. Strange, isn’t it? Everything you know, your entire civilization, it all begins right here in this little pond of goo. Appropriate somehow, isn’t it? Too bad you didn’t bring your microscope; it’s really quite fascinating. Oh, look! There they go. The amino acids are moving closer and closer, and closer. Ooh! Nothing happened. See what you’ve done?”

“Oh, you’d like me to connect the dots for you, lead you from A to B to C, so that your puny mind could comprehend? How boring.”

“Goodbye, Jean-Luc. I’m gonna miss you. You had such potential. But then again, all good things must come to an end.”

“It’s time to put an end to your trek through the stars.”

What did you think of these Q quotes from Star Trek The Next Generation?

Do you recognize the Star Trek episodes these quotes are from?
Let us know your favorites.

q quotes star trek the next generation

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