TREKCORE > TOS > EPISODES > BALANCE OF TERROR >Quotes

	Captain Kirk: Since the days of wooden vessels, all ship masters have had one happy privilege-- that of uniting two people in the bonds of holy matrimony.
	Mr. Spock: Referring to the map on your screens, you will note beyond our vessel a line of Earth outpost stations. Constructed on asteroids, they monitor the Neutral Zone established by treaty after the Earth-Romulan conflict a century ago. As you may recall, this conflict was fought, by standards today, with primitive atomic weapons and in primitive space vessels which allowed no quarter, no captives, nor was there even ship-to-ship visual communication. Therefore, no human, Romulan, or ally has ever seen the other. Earth believes the Romulans to be warlike, cruel, treacherous, and only the Romulans know what they think of Earth. The treaty, set by sub-space radio, established this Neutral Zone, entry into which by either side would constitute an act of war. The treaty has been unbroken since that time.
	Captain Kirk: Mr. Stiles, are you questioning my orders? Lieutenant Andrew Stiles: Negative, sir. I'm pointing out that we could have Romulan spies aboard this ship!
	Lieutenant Andrew Stiles: Give it to Spock. Captain Kirk: I didn't quite get that, Mr. Stiles. Lieutenant Andrew Stiles: Nothing, sir. Captain Kirk: Repeat it. Lieutenant Andrew Stiles: I was suggesting that Mr. Spock could probably translate it for you, sir. Captain Kirk: I assume you're complimenting Mr. Spock on his abilities to decode. Lieutenant Andrew Stiles: I'm not sure, sir. Captain Kirk: Well, here's one thing you better be sure of, mister. Leave any bigotry in your quarters. There's no room for it on the bridge.
	Romulan Commander: The Earth commander will follow, he must. And when he attacks, we will destroy him. Our gift to the homeland; another war.
	Lieutenant Andrew Stiles: These are Romulans! You run away from them, and you guarantee war. They'll be back; not with just one ship, with everything they've got. And, you know that, Mr. Science Officer. But, you've always left out that point. Why? I'm very interested in why! Captain Kirk: Sit down, mister. Mr. Spock: I agree. . .attack. Captain Kirk: Are you suggesting we fight to prevent a fight? Dr. McCoy: Based on what? Memories of a war over a century ago? On theories about a people we've never even met face to face? Lieutenant Andrew Stiles: We know what they look like. Mr. Spock: Yes, indeed we do, Mr. Stiles. And if the Romulans are an off-shoot of my Vulcan blood, and I think this likely, then attack becomes even more imperative.
	Captain Kirk: I hope we won't need your services, Bones. Dr. McCoy: Amen to that. You're taking a big gamble, Jim.
	Captain Kirk: I wish I were at a long sea voyage somewhere. Not too much deck tennis, no frantic dancing and no responsibilities. Why me? I look around that bridge and I see the men waiting for me to make the next move, and Bones, what if I'm wrong? Dr. McCoy: Captain-- Captain Kirk: No, I don't expect an answer. Dr. McCoy: But, I've got one. Something I heard them say to a customer, Jim. "In this galaxy, there's a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in all the universe, three million-million galaxies like this. And in all of that and perhaps more, only one of each of us. Don't destroy the one named Kirk."
	Captain Kirk: Captain, standing by to beam your survivors aboard our ship. Prepare to abandon your vessel. Romulan Commander: No. No, that is not our way. I regret that we meet in this way. You and I are of a kind. In a different reality, I could have called you friend. Captain Kirk: What purpose will it serve to die? Romulan Commander: We are creatures of duty, Captain. I have lived my life by it. Just one more duty to perform. (self-destructs his ship)
	Captain Kirk: It never makes any sense. We both have to know there was a reason.

BACK TO EPISODE LIST, BACK TO BALANCE OF TERROR INDEX, Quick Section Links: Behind the Scenes, Captioning Log, Credits, Guests Characters, Quotes, Screencaps, Synopsis, Trivia