Kirk loses his son but regains his best friend in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. After being reborn, advancing to middle age and undergoing a Vulcan ceremony to retrieve his aura, Spock meets Kirk again, but doesn’t remember him. He asks why the admiral would risk the lives of his crew to save him, and Kirk turns Spock’s famous logic on its head: “The needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many.” There’s a pause, and Spock begins reciting lines from the end of Wrath of Khan before saying “Your name is Jim.” Cue one of the most endearing Trek moments ever as the rest of the crew runs to embrace Spock.
Leonard Nimoy died at 83 Friday, leaving behind a body of work spanning decades.
For nearly 50 years, Star Trek’s Spock has been the most prominent philosopher in movies and television, mixing the logical mind of Sherlock Holmes and the inspirational messages of ancient proverbs.
In memory of Nimoy, let’s take a look back at 10 of Spock’s finest quotes.
10. “May I say that I have not thoroughly enjoyed serving with humans? I find their illogic and foolish emotions a constant irritant.” – Star Trek, season 3, episode 7 (“Day of the Dove,” 1968)
See more Remembering Leonard Nimoy’s Career (Photos)
9. “Computers make excellent and efficient servants, but I have no wish to serve under them.” – Star Trek, season 2, episode 24 (“The Ultimate Computer,” 1968)
8. “Insufficient facts always invite danger.” – Star Trek, season 1, episode 24 (“Space Seed,” 1968)
7. “In critical moments, men sometimes see exactly what they wish to see.” – Star Trek, season 3, episode 9 (“The Tholian Web,” 1968)
6. “After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but is often true.” – Star Trek, season 2, episode 1 (“Amok Time,” 1968)
5. “Without followers, evil cannot spread.” – Star Trek, season 3, episode 5, (“And the Children Shall Lead,” 1968)
4. “When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” – Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, 1991
3. “I could not deprive you of the revelation of all that you could accomplish together, of a friendship that will define you both in ways you cannot yet realize.” – Star Trek, 2009
Nimoy’s Spock spoke these words to a younger version of himself (Zachary Quinto), explaining why he asked young Kirk (Chris Pine) not to reveal his existence. It is among the most poignant summaries of the Kirk-Spock relationship in Trek lore.
2. “Live long and prosper.” – First spoken in Star Trek, season 2, episode 1 (“Amok Time,” 1968)
In the interview above, Nimoy revealed his Jewish heritage influenced the famous Vulcan benediction.
1. “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” – Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, 1982
Spock shared this philosophy with Kirk earlier in the film, and later used it to explain why he sacrificed his own life to save the Enterprise. The line is possibly the most famous in Trek history.
