How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
Quote #1
ADMIRAL CARTWRIGHT: If we dismantle the fleet, we'd be defenseless before an aggressive species [...] The opportunity here is to bring them to their knees.
Admiral Cartwright has a militaristic mindset: he sees the Klingons' unfolding disaster as an opportunity to gain the upper hand. Who needs compassion when you have big guns? Of course, our understanding of this exchange is complicated greatly by the later revelation about Cartwright's true allegiances.
Quote #2
KIRK: We volunteered?
SPOCK: There's an old Vulcan proverb: "Only Nixon could go to China."
This is a reference to President Richard Nixon's 1972 trip to the People's Republic of China—a first for an American president. Spock is comparing Kirk to Nixon because both are seen as "tough" against the group they're negotiating with, which gives them greater credibility and leverage.
Quote #3
CHANG: I have so wanted to meet you, Captain.
KIRK: I'm not sure how to take that.
KERLA: Sincere admiration, Kirk.
CHANG: From one warrior to another.
We have a hard time telling whether Chang wants to kick Kirk or kiss him—there's a weird love-hate thing going on. On the one hand, Chang must surely hate Kirk, because dude has killed beaucoup Klingons. On the other, he respects Kirk as a kindred spirit—a fellow warrior. It's complicated.