How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
Quote #7
McCOY: What terrified you, specifically?
KIRK: No more Neutral Zone. I was used to hating Klingons. It never even occurred to me to take Gorkon at his word.
Like many folks, Kirk lets the past blind him from seeing the present—and, by the same token, the future. He's your classic racist, really. His prejudice against a specific group of people prevents him from even imagininga future in which that group of people could be pals with him. Now, however, he's seeing the light.
Quote #8
SPOCK: Is it possible that we two, you and I, have grown so old and so inflexible that we have outlived our usefulness? Would that constitute a joke?
Not a particularly funny one, Spock, but the bar is low where you're concerned. Of course, Spock's also totally right: he and Kirk have done great things in their careers, but there comes a time when we all must pass the baton to the next generation and empower those people to build the future.
Quote #9
KIRK: Some people think the future means the end of history. Well, we haven't run out of history just yet.
Inspired by Gorkon, Kirk now realizes that he has the opportunity to change the future. That's a heavy responsibility. Luckily, our boy Kirk works out like a fiend. Never skips leg day. Don't you remember the rock climbing scene in Star Trek V?