The women of Star Trek have the best life advice.
Star Trek is more than entertainment to some of us. We’ve gotten some really good life advice from at least one of the shows, and we’ve also learned a lot about humanity. The writers of the series have done a phenomenal job in putting some of the best words into the mouths of the characters we love, especially the women. And all of these words of wisdom apply today, even from episodes that aired in the 1960s. If there is one thing we can say about our favorite franchise, it’s that it was ahead of its time in every decade.
On equality
“Perhaps, someday, our ability to love won’t be so limited.” —Dr. Beverly Crusher, Star Trek: The Next Generation. Episode 4.23 “The Host.”
On government
“If you want to change the government, Minister Jaro, you vote to change it. You don’t sneak up from behind it with a dagger.” —Kira Nerys, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Episode 2.2 “The Circle.”
On diversity
“The glory of creation is in its infinite diversity.”—Dr. Miranda Jones, Star Trek: The Original Series. Season 3.5 “Is There No Truth in Beauty?”
On pessimism
“When a man is convinced he’s going to die tomorrow, he’s probably going to find a way to make it happen.”—Guinan, Star Trek: The Next Generation. Season 4.1 “The Best of Both Worlds, Part 2.”
On finding your place in the world
“Sometimes, the only way to find out where you fit in is to step out of the routine. Because sometimes, where you really belong was waiting right around the corner all along.”— Michael Burnam, Star Trek: Discovery. Season 1.7 “Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad.”
On believing lies
“There’s a difference between keeping an open mind and believing something because you want it to be true.”—T’Pol, Enterprise. Season 1.10 “Fortunate Son.”
On fear
“You know as well as I do that fear exists for one purpose—to be conquered.”—Captain Janeway, Star Trek: Voyager Season 2.22 “The Thaw.”
Every series in this franchise has had women who have delivered some of the wisest words, words that make you think, and maybe even make you reconsider your thoughts on a certain subject. While Star Trek was about entertainment, it also changed lives, and if more people applied this type of wisdom, it would change them for the better even today.