Category: Television

“Seize the time, Meribor. Live now. Make ‘now’ always the most precious time. ‘Now’ will never come again.”

From: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Captain Jean-Luc Picard as Kamin

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Star Trek: The Next Generation. The show successfully introduced new fans to the sci-fi world where humans explored the final frontier. The series also gave us many memorable characters and, thankfully, lots of great quotes.

This week’s quote comes from landmark episode entitled “The Inner Light.” The Enterprise-D retrieves a deep space probe from an unknown civilization and, while examining it, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (played by Patrick Stewart) is zapped by it and falls unconscious. He then wakes up as a man named Kamin and relives the life of one of the citizens of the civilization who developed the space probe. In one memorable scene, Kamin’s scientist daughter, Meribor, wonders if she should marry the man she loves or should she just focus on trying to save their doomed planet. Picard, still as Kamin, delivers his advice using the quote.

Geek wisdom: While we can look to the past to learn from history and look to the future to show what we want to fulfill, never forget that the only thing we really control is the present. This makes the present actually the most important time of our lives. Make the most of the time we have right now.

“If oil company wants to buy your house, there’s oil underneath.”

From: Silicon Valley

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Jian Yang (but translating for another person)

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the HBO sitcom, Silicon Valley. The show focuses on a programmer who creates a new program that does file compression really well and manages to leverage that to create his own small startup called Pied Piper, which is the same name as the compression algorithm he created. Essentially a parody of the programming industry and how corporations can be rather cutthroat even when some people try to do good in the industry.

The quote is said in the Season 5 episode, Artificial Emotional Intelligence. In the episode, Jian Yang (played by Jimmy O. Yang) is trying to recreate the Pied Piper code in China. He’s approached by billionaire Gavin Benson (played by Matt Ross) to negotiate a price for the code. As Gavin keeps upping his purchasing price, one of Jian Yang’s programmers makes a comment in Chinese. Jian Yang then translates it for Gavin Belsom, telling him that he understands that the billionaire is intentionally lowballing him.

Geek wisdom: Powerful people will try to exploit others by various means. Whether it be with money, influence or power, they will try to deceive honest people by not telling them the full story. So, you have to be skeptical about offers that may seem too good to be true. That’s because it just might be true.

“Because… I have faith.”

From: X-Men ’97

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Nightcrawler

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Disney+ animated show, X-Men ’97. Based on the Marvel comics series, X-Men ’97 is a continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series.

The quote comes from the last episode of the second season, Survival of the Fittest. In order for Rogue to save Gambit from Apocalypse taking over his consciousness, she bargains with the Celestial Eson to get enough power to expunge Apocalypse from his lover’s mind. But, in order to gain that power, she has to sacrifice herself in the end. Rogue does manage to do so but she does not die. It’s then revealed that Nightcrawler negotiated with Eson to exchange his life for hers instead. Nightcrawler explains that, while the X-Men will indeed mourn his loss, it will be worth it as new life will come out of his sacrifice. When Eson inquires how can Nightcrawler can be so sure this will happen, he replies by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: While there is no certainty in life, we have to believe that most people will try to do the right thing in order for the world to get better. We have to believe that doing good things will also lead to good outcomes. Although that is not a certainty, it’s something we have to have faith on.

“Well, it’s easy to be a saint in paradise.”

From: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Lt. Commander Sisko

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The show is set in the Star Trek universe but, instead of the show taking place in a starship, the events focus in Deep Space Nine, a space station that was a former penal colony. With the Bajorans liberating themselves from the oppressive rule of the Cardassians, they have turned to Starfleet to help them rebuild their planet, leading to Starfleet setting up base in the aforementioned space station.

The quote comes from the second season episode “The Maquis, Part II“. In the episode, Deep Space Nine’s Commander, Commander Benjamin Sisko (played by Avery Brooks) is ordered by Starfleet Command to try to negotiate with a group of rebels known as the Maquis who have captured Gul Dukat, a high ranking officer of Cardassia. Sisko laments that he understands the plight of the Maquis as they are only relying of more distasteful tactics as they are fighting for their lives and Starfleet is blind to it as Earth has basically resolved all of the strife. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: When the going gets tough, the tough get going. It is easy to be kind to other when everything is going your way. But when you have to struggle for everything, sometimes being kind isn’t an option anymore. Sometimes, having to fight means your very survival.

“Don’t cry for me. I’m already dead.”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Barney Gumble

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the longest running animated series in the United States, The Simpsons. Making it’s first debut way back in 1989, The Simpsons has been, as of this writing, on broadcast television for 37 seasons.

The quote comes from the 18th episode of the 6th season, A Star is Burns. The episode is all about how, after Springfield is voted the worst town of the country, the citizens create a Film Festival to help with its lagging popularity. One of the films made for the festival is from Barney Gumble (voiced by Dan Castellaneta), the town’s resident drunk. Surprisingly, he delivers a powerful piece dissecting his alcoholism called Pukahontas. The quote itself is given during the ending of Barney’s film.

Geek wisdom: People will pass on and we will grieve their passing. That’s only natural. However, we never really truly think about doing things with them while they’re still with us. We should try to appreciate the people in our lives while they are still alive, not when they’re no longer with us.

“To think, after all this time, all our lunches together, you still don’t trust me. There’s hope for you yet, Doctor.”

From: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Garak

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The show is set in the Star Trek universe but, instead of the show taking place in a starship, the events focus in Deep Space Nine, a space station that was a former penal colony. With the Bajorans liberating themselves from the oppressive rule of the Cardassians, they have turned to Starfleet to help them rebuild their planet, leading to Starfleet setting up base in the aforementioned space station.

The quote comes from the end of the third season episode, “Distant Voices.” In the episode, Deep Space Nine’s doctor, Doctor Bashir, gets trapped in his mind but he eventually frees himself. During the final moments of the episode, Doctor Bashir discusses these events with Garak, the only remaining Cardassian in Deep Space Nine and a rather suspicious character in general. Garak comments how, in his mind, Doctor Bashir made him to be a villain and not a friend. Doctor Bashir tries to brush it off and this is when Garak playfully delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: While we do have to trust others, we also cannot blindly trust them. A little bit of skepticism is always healthy as we do not know the motives in the minds of other people. Not everyone is trustworthy and we should always keep that in mind when encountering new people.

“I am so smart! I am so smart! I am so smart! I am so smart! S-M-R-T! I mean, S-M-A-R-T!”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Homer Simpson

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the longest running animated series in the United States, The Simpsons. Making it’s first debut way back in 1989, The Simpsons has been, as of this writing, on broadcast television for 37 seasons.

The quote comes from season 5 episode, Homer Goes to College. After it’s discovered that Homer Simpson (voiced by Dan Castellaneta) is severely underqualified to be the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant‘s safety inspector, he is sent to Springfield University to get a college degree. The quote comes very early in the episode. After Homer gets his college acceptance letter, he starts cheering for himself and stating he is a person of high intelligence but his spelling skills hint otherwise, as stated in the quote.

Geek wisdom: Truly smart people know they still have a lot to learn. People who believe they are smart when they are not believe they don’t have to learn anything anymore. Always be curious.

“Live your life how you want, but don’t confuse drama with happiness.”

From: Parks and Recreation

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Ron Swanson

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote from the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. The show generally revolves around the small town of Pawnee, Indiana. Specifically, the tiny Parks Department of the town and the people in the department who has to deal with the people of the town as well as each other.

The quote is said in the Season 6 episode, One in 8,000. In the episode, Ron Swanson (played by Nick Offerman) asks Donna Meagle (played by Retta) to accompany him to his daughters’ school. She agrees but only if he helps her avoid contact with her ex-boyfriend, Joe (played by Keegan-Michael Key) as she claims he’s not good for her. At the school, Ron does do as requested but he does find Joe to be a genuinely nice guy. When confronted about this, Donna explains that she’s a very extroverted person and she has a hard time dealing with Joe, who always wants to spend time with her. To her, life feels less exciting when she’s with Joe. This is when Ron delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: While you may crave excitement once in a while, there is a certain joy to just relaxing and just taking some downtime. In fact, sometimes a life that’s too exciting may feel exhillirating but that’s not necessarily a good thing.

“In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength.”

From: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Genre: Television and Cartoons

Who said it?: General Iroh

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a cartoon series that aired on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. The story follows the adventures of Aang, the titular “last airbender,” to learn how to control, or “bend,” the four primal elements of air, water, earth and fire in order to become the Avatar, the guardian of the world.

The quote comes from the second season episode entitled “Avatar Day.” In the episode, Zuko (voiced by Dante Basco) had started stealing food after he and his uncle, Iroh (voiced by the lake Mak0), have gone into hiding in the wilderness. Zuko claims the situation they’re in will get better if the manage to capture the Avatar. However, Iroh doesn’t believe this to be the case. Zuko starts to feel depressed because, if this is the case, then their situation is hopeless. This is when Iroh tells him to never give in to despair and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Hope is something that isn’t given by others to you. Hope is something you have to give yourself. It’s up to you to believe in yourself and to believe you can do better. While some may try to uplift you, the decision to make a better life for yourself is always going to be up to you.

“I too am ‘Whooo.’ But I’m also ‘Wheee.’ So the ‘Wheee’ balances the ‘Whooo.’ “

From: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Esquie

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2025 RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, the game follows a party to the Monolith, a mysterious island wherein they must find a way to break a curse that leads to people of a certain age to mysteriously vanish. Despite this being Sandfall Interactive’s freshman outing, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been heralded as one of the best games of 2025, including the Game of the Year Award from The Game Awards.

The quote occurs when Verso, one of the main characters, converses with Esquie, one of the beings that live in the Monolith and accompanies the party from Expedition 33, as they look at the stars. Esquie comments that one of the star constellations looks like Francois, a rather grumpy neighbor of Esquie. Esquie comments that the constellation looks like Francois as he’s “soft and fluffy on the inside.” Verso disagrees because of Francois’ seemingly prickly nature. Esquie then comments that Francois used to be happy but now he’s constantly sad because he’s lost so many friends. Verso then asks why Esquie isn’t angry like Francois. Esquie replies that he is also angry. Verso comments that he doesn’t believe that. This is when Esquie delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Life will have its ups and downs. There are going to be bad times and there are going to be good times. That’s just how life is. The trick is to not let the bad times get you down too much and try as much as possible to remember the good times when the bad times do happen.