Citations:prime directive

English citations of prime directive

Noun: "overriding control"

						1902 1946 1947 1955 1967	2000
ME «	15th c.	16th c.	17th c.	18th c.	19th c.	20th c.	21st c.

• 1902: University of Michigan Law School, Michigan Law Review p. 1949:

  We are, after all, discussing the prime directive of academic life and a vitally important rule of civilized life in general: Seek and disseminate the truth.

• 1946: University of Iowa/University of Chicago, The Journal of General Education, p. 160:

  Such probes would not invalidate the prime directive that a work of art must stand upon its intrinisic artistic merits

• 1947 July, Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands”, in Astounding Science Fiction, volume 39, number 5, page 18:

  "That is impossible, under the Prime Directive," it cooed softly. "Our function is to serve and obey, and guard men from harm. It is no longer necessary for men to care for themselves, because we exist to insure their safety and happiness."

• 1955: René Albrecht-Carrié, Europe After 1815, p. 32:

  The prime directive of Austrian policy was the preservation of this state of affairs.

• 1967 February 9, Gene Roddenberry (story), Boris Sobelman (teleplay), The Return of the Archons (Star Trek), season 1, episode 21:

  Cpt. James Kirk: Landru must die.
  Cmdr. Spock: Captain, our Prime Directive of non-interference.
  Cpt. James Kirk: That refers to a living, growing culture. Do you think this one is?

• 2000 July 19, William LaRue, quoting Dennis Miller, “Football's New Funny Man”, in Syracuse Herald-Journal‎^[1], page D13:

  If I see a chance for a humorous shot, I'm going to take it here and there, but my prime directive is to be an integral member of a three-man group talking about a football game. I think I can do that.