Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Time's Arrow (1992)

Jerry Hardin: Samuel Clemens

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Quotes 

• Samuel Clemens : According to our best geologic estimate, the Earth is approximately 100 million years of age. Perhaps it is less, perhaps more.

  Guinan : Perhaps a great deal more.

  Samuel Clemens : Indeed. But regardless, it is ancient, in the extreme. Now, geology also tells us that man himself has existed but for a microscopic fraction of those years. Hm... hmhmhm... Curious, isn't it? That the world got by for such a great, long while, with no humans around to fill up space. I suppose Mr. Wallace and his supporters would say that the Earth needed all that time to prepare itself for our illustrious arrival. Why... the oyster alone probably required 15 million years to get it to come out just right.

  Guinan : But if the Earth is not alone and there are millions of inhabited planets in the heavens...

  Samuel Clemens : Quite my point. Man becomes a trivial creation, does he not? Lost in the vastness of the cosmic prairie, adrift on the deep ocean of time. A single one amongst... huh... countless others.

  Guinan : Some may argue that a diamond is still a diamond, even if it is one amongst millions. It still shines as brightly.

  Samuel Clemens : Someone might say that, dear lady, if someone thought that the human race was akin to a precious jewel. But this, er... increasingly hypothetical someone... would not be me.

• Samuel Clemens : [to Data and Guinan]  Eavesdropping is by no means a proper activity for a gentleman. Nevertheless, the deed is done!

• Guinan : Do I know you, Mister...?

  Lt. Commander Data : Data. Yes. We were on a ship together.

  Guinan : I do so much traveling. What ship would that be?

  Lt. Commander Data : The Enterprise.

  Guinan : Is that a clipper ship?

  Lt. Commander Data : It is a starship.

  Samuel Clemens : Starship?