Q: Seven years ago I said we'd be watching you, and we have been. Hoping that your ape-like brains would demonstrate *some* growth, give *some* indication that your minds have room for expansion. But what have we seen instead? You... worrying about Commander Riker's career? Listening to Counselor Troi's pedantic psychobabble? Indulging Data in his witless exploration of humanity?
Capt. Picard: We've journeyed to countless new worlds. We've contacted new species. We have expanded our understanding of the universe.
Q: In your own paltry, limited way. You have no *idea* how far you still have to go. But instead of using the last seven years to change and to grow, you have squandered them.
Capt. Picard: We are what we are. And we're doing the best we can. It is not for you to set the standards by which we shall be judged!
Q: Oh, but it is, and we have. Time may be eternal, Captain, but our patience is not. It's time to put an end to your trek through the stars; make room for other more worthy species.
Capt. Picard: You're going to deny us... travel through space?
[the courtroom erupts in laughter]
Q: You obtuse piece of flotsam! You're to be denied *existence*. Humanity's fate has been sealed: you will be destroyed.
Q: You see this? This is you. I'm serious! Right here, life is about to form on this planet for the very first time. A group of amino acids are about to combine to form the first protein. The building blocks
[laughs]
Q: of what you call "life." Strange, isn't it? Everything you know, your entire civilization, it all begins right here in this little pond of goo. Appropriate somehow, isn't it? Too bad you didn't bring your microscope; it's really quite fascinating. Oh, look! There they go. The amino-acids are moving closer, and closer, and closer. Aww, nothing happened. See what you've done?