Indeed. Are they truly incomprehensible? In my experience, communication is a matter of patience, imagination. I would like to believe these are qualities we have in sufficient measure.
With fist closed? An army with fist open... to lure the enemy. With fist closed... To attack? That's how you communicate, isn't it? By citing example. By metaphor! Uzani's army with... with fist open.
[paraphrasing The Epic of Gilgamesh] Gilgamesh, a king. Gilgamesh, a king at Uruk. [metaphor about ancient Babylonian legends from Earth] He tormented his subjects. He made them angry. They cried out aloud: "Send us a companion for our king! Spare us from his madness!" Enkidu, a wild man from the forest, entered the city. They fought in the temple. They fought in the streets. Gilgamesh defeated Enkidu. They became great friends. Gilgamesh and Enkidu at Uruk.
The... the new friends went out into the desert together, where the Great Bull of Heaven was killing men by the hundreds. Enkidu caught the bull by the tail, Gilgamesh struck him with his sword.
They were victorious. But... Enkidu fell to the ground, struck down by the gods; and Gilgamesh wept bitter tears, saying, "He who was my companion through adventure and hardship, [as Dathon dies] is gone forever."
(shrugging) No, there's no reason you should. It's an old custom; most Bajora these days accept the distortion of their names in order to assimilate. (brief pause before she sits) I do not.
Then I don't understand why you're unwilling [to help us].
KKeeve
Because... you're innocent bystanders. You were innocent bystanders for decades as the Cardassians took our homes. As they violated and tortured our people in the most hideous ways imaginable. As we were forced to flee.
We were saddened by those events, but they occurred within the borders of the Cardassian Empire.
KKeeve
And the Federation is pledged not to interfere with the internal affairs of others. How convenient that must be for you. To turn a deaf ear to those who suffer behind a line on a map.