the Art of the Insult

[sergebroom]

McCOY: Jim, I think I liked him with a beard better. It gave him character. Of course almost any change would be a distinct improvement. What worries me is the easy way his counterpart fitted into that other universe.

KIRK: I always thought Spock was a bit of a pirate at heart.

SPOCK: Indeed, gentlemen. May I point out that I had an opportunity to observe your counterparts here quite closely. They were brutal, savage, unprincipled, uncivilized, treacherous -- In every way, splendid examples of homo sapiens, the very flower of humanity. I found them quite refreshing.

KIRK: I'm not sure, but I think we've been insulted.

McCOY: I'm sure.

(From Mirror, Mirror, the episode of Star Trek that introduced what became known as the Evil Universe.)