The Wisdom of Guinan

Star Trek The Next Generation has given us some truly beloved characters. One of my personal favorites is the bar tender Guinan. Whoopie Goldberg grew up watching Star Trek as a child and saw Uhura as a role model, and thus begged the producers to let her be in the show, even if it was just sweeping the floor in the background. They decided to turn the celebrity into the wizened 700 year old bartender, and make her a council to Picard. Even though she played a relatively minor role throughout the series, her scenes were always memorable as she added a unique sense of quiet charm to the role. Here are some of her most memorable quotes from the series with special thanks to imdb.com for providing the references.

"That's the wonderful thing about crayons. They can take you to more places than a starship."

"If you are going to use this person to destroy his race, you should at least look him in the eye once, before you do it."

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [about Ensign Ro] "She doesn't belong here. She doesn't even belong in the uniform, as far as I'm concerned."

Guinan: "Really?"

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: "Really."

Guinan: "Sounds like someone I'd like to know."

Guinan: "I was thinking how you said the other day that my foil was dipping. That I should get some exercise and strengthen my arm."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: "Well, a strong forearm is certainly an advantage in fencing."

Guinan: "And bartending."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: "It is what it is. And in spite of efforts to turn it into some kind of pet, I will not alter my plans."

Guinan: "Fine. But if you don't talk to him at least once, you may find that decision a lot harder to live with than you realize."

Ensign Ro Laren: "Well... it's all true."

Guinan: "I believe truth is in the eye of the beholder."

Ensign Ro Laren: "Isn't that supposed to be... beauty?"

Guinan: "Truth, beauty - works for a lot of things."

Ensign Ro Laren: "Seems like everybody's just pulling my strings, you know, like I've got no control."

Guinan: "Hm... For people like you and me, who've lost their homes, sometimes that's the way life feels."

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

"A mother shapes her child in ways she doesn't even realize. Sometimes just by listening."

"Just because a girl runs out doesn't mean she doesn't wish you to follow."

"When a man is convinced he's going to die tomorrow, he'll probably find a way to make it happen. The only one who can turn this around is you."

"You know, sooner or later, everyone comes in here. And they stand by those windows and they look out and they stare. And they're looking for that little star they call home. Doesn't matter how far away it is. Everybody... looks anyway."

"When the Borg destroyed my world, my people were scattered throughout the universe. We survived - as will humanity survive. As long as there's a handful of you to keep the spirit alive, you will prevail - even if it takes a millennium."