Benjamin Sisko quotes from Deep Space Nine

Benjamin Sisko

It takes courage to look inside yourself, and even more courage to write it for other people to see.

Sisko

[broadcasting a message to the Maquis] To all members of the Maquis resistance: this is Captain Sisko of the USS Defiant. In response to the Maquis's use of biogenic weapons in their recent attacks, I am about to take the following action. In exactly one hour, I will detonate two quantum torpedoes that will scatter trilithium resin in the atmosphere of Solosos Three. I thereby will make the planet uninhabitable to all human life for the next fifty years. I suggest evacuation plans begin immediately.

Benjamin Sisko

Even in the darkest moments, you can always find something that will make you smile.

Benjamin Sisko

When I first took command of this post, all I wanted was to be somewhere else—anywhere but here. But now, five years later, this has become my home, and you have become my family. And leaving this station—leaving you—is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But this war isn't over yet. I want you to know that while we were keeping the Dominion occupied, a Starfleet-Klingon task force crossed the border into Cardassia and destroyed the Dominion shipyards on Torros III. Your sacrifices, our sacrifices made that victory possible. But no victory can make this moment any easier for me. And I promise, I will not rest until I stand with you again—here—in this place where I belong.

Benjamin Sisko

We will fight, and we will keep on fighting, until we can't fight anymore!

Benjamin Sisko

There's an old saying—fortune favors the bold. Well, I guess we're about to find out.

Benjamin Sisko

Captain's log, stardate 51408.6. I've been aboard the Honshu for two days now and I still haven't spoken to him, although the doctors have assured me that he's made a full recovery. Maybe that's what I'm afraid of. Maybe I prefer to think of him as a crazy man, a broken man. He'd be less dangerous that way. As terrible as it sounds, there's a part of me that wishes he were dead. But that's a thought unworthy of a Starfleet officer. He lost an empire, he lost his daughter, and he nearly lost his mind. Whatever his crimes, isn't that enough punishment for one lifetime?

Benjamin Sisko

My father always used to say that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. I laid the first stone right there. I'd committed myself. I'd pay any price, go to any lengths, because my cause was righteous, my intentions were good.

Benjamin Sisko

That was my first moment of real doubt, when I started to wonder if this whole thing was a mistake. So then I went back to my office. And there was a new casualty list, waiting for me. People are dying out there, every day! Entire worlds are struggling for their freedom, and here I am still worrying about the finer points of morality! No, I, I had to keep my eye on the ball, win the war, stopping the bloodshed—those were the priorities. So I pushed on, and every time another doubt appeared before me, I just found another way to shove it aside.

Benjamin Sisko

[threatening Tolar] If that program passes inspection, you walk free. But if there is even the slightest flaw, then I will send you back to that Klingon prison, and tell Gowron to take his time while he executes you.

Benjamin Sisko

At 0800 hours, station time, the Romulan Empire formally declared war on the Dominion. They have already struck fifteen bases along the Cardassian border. So, this is a huge victory for the good guys! This may even be the turning point of the entire war. There is even a 'Welcome to the Fight' party tonight in the ward room. So... I lied. I cheated. I bribed men to cover the crimes of other men. I am an accessory to murder. But the most damning thing of all is—I think I can live with it. And if I'd have to do it all over again, I would. Garak was right about one thing. A guilty conscience is a small price to pay for the safety of the Alpha Quadrant, so I will learn to live with it... because I can live with it. [pauses] I can live with it. [pauses] Computer, erase that entire personal log.

Benjamin Sisko

To the best crew any captain ever had. This may be the last time we're all together. But no matter what the future holds, no matter how far we travel, a part of us—a very important part—will always remain here on Deep Space Nine.

Kira Nerys

I suppose you want the office.

Benjamin Sisko

Well, I thought I would say hello first and then take the office, but we can do it in any order you like.

Kira Nerys

[sarcastically] Hello!

Jean-Luc Picard

Have we met before?

Benjamin Sisko

Yes, sir, we met in battle. I was on the Saratoga at Wolf 359.

Benjamin Sisko

Sounds like they're not ready.

Jean-Luc Picard

Your job—short of violating the Prime Directive—is to make sure that they are.