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A quote or quotation was a selected phrase from a work of literature that was applied to an appropriate situation.

The dedication plaques of Starfleet vessels often carried an opposite quotation.

In 2266, after Doctor Leonard McCoy expressed his intention to examine Robert Crater and his wife Nancy, as required by the book, James T. Kirk quoted the relevant passage: "All research personnel on alien planets are required to have their health certified by a starship surgeon at one year intervals." (TOS: "The Man Trap")

In 2268, after Kelinda expressed her confusion at the phrase Kirk had uttered, "A rose by any other name", Kirk explained, "A quote from a great human poet, Shakespeare. That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (TOS: "By Any Other Name")

In 2370, one of the female Ferengi Pel's indiscretions, according to Rom, was quoting from the Rules of Acquisition. (DS9: "Rules of Acquisition")

In 2372, The Doctor claimed to be able to quote autopsy reports from duels as far back as 1538. (VOY: "Parturition")

In 2374, after Benjamin Sisko stated his intentions to remain on Deep Space 9 and do the best he could, Joseph Sisko recited, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.". This surprised Benjamin, who noted that he had never known his father to quote the Bible before. Joseph claimed he was full of surprises. (DS9: "Far Beyond the Stars")

Also that year, after Seven of Nine caught "Tom Paris" (actually an impostor reading Kathryn Janeway's personal logs, she offered to quote the passage he had been reading as proof. (VOY: "Vis à Vis")

Further, Miles O'Brien made the offhand remark to Jake Sisko that "If you ask me, it's an ungodly hour to go to war," adding that Jake could quote him on that, which Jake said he would. (DS9: "Tears of the Prophets")

In 2375, Paris was denied holodeck privileges during his confinement in the brig. When he asked Neelix what the captain said, the Talaxian quoted her: "tell Mister Paris this is punishment, not shore leave". (VOY: "Thirty Days")

In 2378, Icheb was able to quote Earth literature twice to Seven of Nine after his studies with The Doctor; "Don't kill the messenger" from Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, after Seven expressed her displeasure with his taking over her duty shift in the astrometrics lab as per The Doctor's orders, and "Better late than never.", from Titus Livius' A History of Rome, after Seven appeared late for her next shift. Later, after Seven's negligence nearly led to the destruction of USS Voyager, she asked Icheb if he had a quotation that would ease her guilt. Despite being unable to come up with one offhand, he offered to search the database, but Seven changed her mind, as she had already thought of an alternate solution. (VOY: "Human Error")

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