Spock’s most iconic quote in all of Star Trek isn’t his best

Spock has had many iconic quotes, but his best isn’t his most iconic.

“Live long and prosper”,  one of the most iconic quotes in not only Star Trek but in the world. We’re talking beyond entertainment. It’s easily one of the most character-centric quotes of all time and it belongs to one of our own; Spock. Made famous by the most popular and well-known Vulcan in all of Trekdom.

It’s easily his most iconic quote. How could it not be? It’s the quote that launched a million fans. It’s so impressive that various outlets, like Movieweb, pick it as his and Star Trek’s most iconic phrases. It’s arguably the most well-known catchphrase from the series.

But, just because it’s his, and arguably Star Trek’s most iconic of phrases, doesn’t mean it’s his best, however. No, while a catchphrase can be iconic, that doesn’t mean it’s the most profound.

A good, and profound quote holds more water than a catchphrase or a more popular quote. It’s easy to tell someone to have a happy and healthy life because that’s what you should want for anyone in your life.

But telling someone they don’t matter as much as they think they do? That’s sometimes the hardest thing to say, and sometimes it’s what has to be said. Especially if you’re a commanding officer of a starship. You may have to make a decision that costs one person their life, in order to save the lives of hundreds.

Spock’s most memorable quote isn’t his best quote in Star Trek lore

I love “Live long and prosper”, it’s such an upbeat and optimistic statement. Yet, Spock’s most profound statement is simply put, “Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”

In a society, logic can be the only deciding factor.  Spock knows this and knows that the life of one can never, or should never, come before the lives of many. It’s why, in the same film he says his iconic line, “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”, he proves the line’s significance and sacrifices himself to save the Enterprise and its crew.

Spock’s death proved that no one person is greater than the sum of the whole and that the only way we succeed in life is by remembering sacrifices have to be made for the betterment of the whole.