- Sloan: Federation needs men like you, Doctor - men of conscience, men of principle, men who can sleep at night. You're also the reason Section 31 exists. Someone has to protect men like you from a universe that doesn't share your sense of right and wrong.
- Admiral Ross: Inter arma enim silent leges.
- Dr. Julian Bashir: "In time of war, the law falls silent." Cicero. So, is that what we have become - a 24th century Rome, driven by nothing other than the certainty that Caesar can do no wrong?
- Elim Garak: [rolling his eyes] The eternal optimist!
- Dr. Julian Bashir: Guilty as charged.
- Elim Garak: How sad. I must tell you, I'm disappointed at hearing you mouth the usual platitudes of peace and friendship regarding an implacable foe like the Romulans. But I live in hope that one day, you'll come to see this universe for what it truly is, rather than what you'd wish it to be.
- Dr. Julian Bashir: Then I shall endeavor to become more cynical with each passing day. Look gift horses squarely in the mouth, and find clouds in every silver lining.
- Elim Garak: [smiling] If only you meant it.
- [Dr. Bashir has given a medical presentation]
- Sloan: Very enlightening. You almost made it comprehensible.
- Dr. Julian Bashir: Next time, I'll do the lecture with hand puppets, just for you.
- Sloan: Let's make a deal, Doctor: I'll spare you the 'ends justify the means'-speech and you spare me the 'we must do what's right'-speech. You and I are not going to see eye to eye on this subject, so I suggest we stop discussing it.
- Sloan: The phrase 'never say die' is originally from a nineteenth century poem based on Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. Now, it's since passed into the vernacular as a... as an exhortation never to give up, no matter the cost.
- Dr. Julian Bashir: I don't believe we've been introduced.
- Koval: Koval.
- Dr. Julian Bashir: Ah, it's a pleasure to meet you.
- Koval: Why?
- Dr. Julian Bashir: Well, you've got me there. It's just a simple form of expression, I suppose.
- Koval: And like most Human expressions completely devoid of meaning.
- Dr. Julian Bashir: You're taking quite a risk. I could have a security team here in thirty seconds.
- Sloan: I suspect you'd be unable to communicate with anyone outside of this room.
- Dr. Julian Bashir: I could scream for help.
- Sloan: Possible, but uncharacteristic. I mean, screaming for help, that's... that's too undignified for you. But don't let me stop you. I enjoy being wrong.
- Dr. Julian Bashir: [referring to Cretak and Koval] I take it you two don't get along.
- Cretak: We have different views.
- Dr. Julian Bashir: Which are?
- Cretak: [smiles] State secrets.
- Dr. Julian Bashir: Naturally.
- Dr. Julian Bashir: How many times do I have to tell you, Sloan? I don't work for you.
- Sloan: You will. It's in your nature. You are a man who loves secrets - medical, personal, fictional. And I am a man of secrets.
- [last lines]
- Bashir: Should I feel sorry for you? Should I be weeping over the burden you're forced to carry in order to protect the rest of us?
- Sloan: It is an honour to know you, Doctor. Good night.
- [He beams out]
- Bashir: [Activating com panel] Bashir to Security.
- Odo: [Over com panel] Odo here.
- Bashir: Never mind, My mistake.