Good Evening!
The quote originated from Marcus Aurelius who said:
"Of each particular thing ask: What is it in itself, what is its nature?"
http://www.quantuminvesting.net/quotography.php
The most popular pop culture reference to this quote comes from the
Silence of the Lambs. Here is the context of the quote...
Lecter: Oh Clarice, your problem is, you need to get more fun out of life.
Clarice: You were telling me the truth back in Baltimore, sir.
Please continue now.
Lecter: I've read the case files. Have you? Everything you need
to find him is right there in those pages.
Clarice: Then tell me how.
Lecter: First principles, Clarice. Simplicity. Read Marcus
Aurelius. Of each particular thing, ask: 'What is it in itself, what
is its nature?' What does he do, this man you seek?
Clarice: He kills women.
Lecter: (scolding sharply) No, that is incidental. What is the
first and principal thing he does, what needs does he serve by
killing?
Clarice: Anger, umm, social acceptance, and umm, sexual frustrations...
Lecter: No! He covets. That is his nature. And how do we begin to
covet, Clarice? Do we seek out things to covet? Make an effort to
answer now.
http://www.filmsite.org/sile3.html
I could not find any references to Star Trek in my research although
it is very possible that the relevant script/scene may just not be
online.
If your interested in more information about the author of the quote
itself, Marcus Aurelius a good place to start is the Wikipedia
biography on him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius
Hope that answers your question. if you have any questions or need
something cleared up please request a clarification before rating my
answer and I'll be happy to look into it.
Best,
djbaker-ga
search strategy:
"What is it in itself? What is its Nature"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22What+is+it+in+itself%3F++What+is+its+Nature%22&hl=en&safe=off |
