Benjamin Sisko quotes from Deep Space Nine

Miles O'Brien

Sir, have you ever served with any Bajoran women?

Benjamin Sisko

No. Why?

Miles O'Brien

I was just wondering, sir.

Benjamin Sisko

It's really quite simple, Quark. You're not going to leave.

Quark

Not going to leave? But we're packed and ready to go.

Benjamin Sisko

Unpack.

Quark

I don't understand, Commander. Why would you want me to stay?

Odo

I'm curious myself. The man is a gambler and a thief.

Quark

I'm not a thief.

Odo

You are a thief!

Quark

If I am, you haven't been able to prove it for four years.

Quark

Commander, I've made a career out of knowing when to leave. And this provisional government is far too provisional for my taste. And when governments fall, people like me are lined up and shot.

Benjamin Sisko

There is that risk, but then, you are a gambler, Quark.

Odo

And a thief.

Benjamin Sisko

You know, Quark, that poor boy is about to spend the best years of his life in a Bajoran prison. I'm a father myself. I know what your brother must be going through. The boy should be with his family, not in some cold jail cell. Think about it. It's up to you.

Odo

You know, at first, I didn't think I was going to like him.

Nine Orbs, like this one, have appeared in the skies over the past 10,000 years. The Cardassians took the others. You must find the Celestial Temple before they do.

Benjamin Sisko

The Celestial Temple?

Tradition says that the Orbs were sent by the Prophets to teach us. What we have learned has shaped our theology. The Cardassians will do anything to decipher their powers. If they discover the Celestial Temple, they could destroy it.

Benjamin Sisko

What makes you think I can find your... temple?

[gives Sisko the Orb Ark] This will help you.

Benjamin Sisko

Kai Opaka, I—

I can't unite my people until I know the Prophets have been warned. You will find the Temple. Not for Bajor, not for the Federation, but for your own pagh. It is quite simply, Commander, the journey you have always been destined to take.

Benjamin Sisko

I have a son that I’m raising alone, Captain. This is not the ideal environment.

Jean Luc Picard

Unfortunately, Starfleet officers do not always have the luxury to serve in an ideal environment.

Benjamin Sisko

Commander, help me! Jennifer, hold on...

Sir...

Benjamin Sisko

Just help me to get her free!

She’s gone. There’s nothing we can do. We have to leave. We have to go now, sir!

Benjamin Sisko

Dammit, we just can’t leave her here!

Benjamin Sisko

It won’t be so bad. I’ve heard that Bajor is a beautiful world.

Jake Sisko

So why can’t we live on the planet instead of some old space station?

Welcome, Commander. Please enter. The Prophets await you.

Benjamin Sisko

Another time, perhaps.

[Nods] Another time.

Miles O’Brien

That’s the Prefect’s office up there.

Benjamin Sisko

So all others have to look up with respect. Cardassian architecture.

Benjamin Sisko

Is something bothering you, Major?

Kira Nerys

You don’t want to ask me that, Commander.

Benjamin Sisko

Why not?

Kira Nerys

Because I have the bad habit of telling the truth, even when people don’t want to hear it.

Benjamin Sisko

Perhaps I want to hear it.

Kira Nerys

I don’t believe the Federation has any business being here.

Benjamin Sisko

The provisional government disagrees with you.

Kira Nerys

The provisional government and I don’t agree on a lot of things, which is probably why they sent me to this god-forsaken place. I have been fighting for Bajoran independence ever since I was old enough to pick up a phaser. We finally drive the Cardassians out, and what do our new leaders do? They call up the Federation and invite them right in!

Benjamin Sisko

The Federation is only here to help—

Kira Nerys

—help us, I know. The Cardassians said the same thing sixty years ago.

Benjamin Sisko

That’s enough!

Odo

Who the hell are you?

Kira Nerys

Odo, this is our new Starfleet Commander.

Benjamin Sisko

I want you to know I don't personally believe that you're responsible for this.

Odo

Really? Now, how can that be true? You don't know me. You have no reason to believe I wouldn't kill Ibudan if it suited my fancy, so don't tell me there isn't some doubt inside of you, some question about whether or not I murdered the man.

Quark

Food...Dabo...drinks...money...hand...mine...give!

Benjamin Sisko

Well, Quark, I see even you couldn't weasel your way clear of this one.

Quark

You underestimate the Ferengi immune system, Commander. I'm merely here visiting my less-fortunate customers to make sure they're not faking the illness to avoid paying their bills.

Benjamin Sisko

No one could be that devious.

Quark

I am. [To patient] You...gold...owe...ME!

Q

You hit me! Picard never hit me!

Benjamin Sisko

I'm not Picard!

Q

Indeed not. You’re much easier to provoke. How fortunate for me!

Jake Sisko

Dad, I'm fourteen.

Benjamin Sisko

I'm glad we agree on something. Go to bed.