- [Data is about to beam down to the planet]
- Commander William T. Riker: O'Brien, take a nap. You didn't see any of this, you're not involved.
- Chief Miles O'Brien: Right, sir, I'll just be standing over here dozing off.
- Lt. Commander Data: Eight weeks ago, I received a transmission. A simple four word message. "Is anybody out there?" I answered it.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There is a... a loneliness inherent in that whisper from the darkness.
- Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir. I am glad you understand, sir.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But it didn't end there.
- Lt. Commander Data: No, sir. We speak often. It is a young female, humanoid.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Her society is aware that there is interstellar life?
- Lt. Commander Data: No, sir.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oops.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [about horseback riding] It seems that some creatures have the capacity to fill spaces you never knew were empty.
- Commander William T. Riker: You did a good job. I'm proud of you.
- Wesley Crusher: Thank you, sir. Does it get any easier?
- Commander William T. Riker: Nope.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You see, the Prime Directive has many different functions, not the least of which is to protect *us* - to prevent *us* from allowing our emotions to overwhelm our judgment.
- [Wesley is having trouble with his role as a team leader]
- Commander William T. Riker: One of the reasons you've been given command is so you can make a few right decisions, which will lead to a pattern of success and help build self-confidence. If you don't trust your own judgment, you don't belong in the command chair.
- Wesley Crusher: But what if I'm wrong?
- Commander William T. Riker: Then you're wrong. It's arrogant to think that you'll never make a mistake.
- Wesley Crusher: But what if it's something really important, I mean, not just a mineral survey? What if somebody dies because I made a mistake?
- Commander William T. Riker: In your position, it's important to ask yourself one question: what would Picard do?
- Wesley Crusher: He'd listen to everyone's opinion and then make his own decision - but he's Captain Picard.
- Commander William T. Riker: Well, it doesn't matter. Once Picard makes his decision, does anyone question it?
- Wesley Crusher: No way.
- Commander William T. Riker: And why not?
- Wesley Crusher: I'm not sure.
- [Riker is ordered to the Captain's cabin over the comm]
- Commander William T. Riker: When you figure it out, you'll understand command.
- Lt. Commander Data: Captain, your orders were to deliver the message, correct?
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes.
- Lt. Commander Data: Then, what is the difference between sending the message and delivering it personally?
- Commander William T. Riker: A whopping big one, and you know it.
- Lt. Commander Data: Sir, we have come this far.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In for a penny, in for a pound. Is that what you're saying, Mr. Data?
- Doctor Pulaski: [about Wesley] He is a boy, not a sword.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Who will one day become a man and - to extend the metaphor - will need a fine edge that won't dull at the first touch of resistance.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You reminded us that there are obligations that go beyond duty.
- Lt. Commander Data: I appreciate your seeking other options, sir. Your decision could have been unilateral.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: One of my officers, one of my friends, was troubled. I had to help. Is Sarjenka safely home?
- Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir. She will not remember me, sir, but I will remember her.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Remembrance and regrets, they, too, are a part of friendship.
- Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And understanding that has brought you a step closer to understanding humanity.
- [the Enterprise investigates unusual geological activity in the Selcundi Drema sector]
- Lt. Commander Data: Commander, I have been reviewing the unmanned probe scans. At some point during the last 150 years, the fifth planet of Selcundi Drema has shattered, forming an asteroid belt.
- Commander William T. Riker: I'd call that geological instability.
- Lieutenant Worf: Is there any indication that this is the work of an unknown intelligence?
- Commander William T. Riker: This is geology, not malevolence. These planets live fast and die hard. The question is, why?
- [the crew debates whether to stop the geological disintegration of Drema IV, with regard to the Prime Directive]
- Commander William T. Riker: If there is a cosmic plan, is it not the height of hubris to think that we can or should interfere?
- Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: So what're ya saying, that-that the Dremans are-are fated to die?
- Commander William T. Riker: I think that's an option that we should be considering.
- Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Consider it considered and rejected!
- Sarjenka: You have many different kinds of people here.
- Lt. Commander Data: Yes.
- Sarjenka: When I'm bigger, can I be on your ship?
- Lt. Commander Data: I am certain that you could.
- Sarjenka: I wish I could come with you now.
- Lt. Commander Data: I am afraid that is not possible.
- Sarjenka: I know, but I can still wish for it.
- Commander William T. Riker: In your position it's important to ask yourself one question: what would Picard do?
- Wesley Crusher: He'd listen to everyone's opinion and then make his own decision.
- Wesley Crusher: Ensign Davies, I want that ico-spectrogram run on the Selcundi Drema system.
- Ensign Davies: You got it.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [on his way to go horse-riding on the holodeck] Are you sure you won't reconsider?
- Counselor Deanna Troi: No. I'll just watch you and be impressed.
- [Picard has suggested to Troi that she try a little horse-riding]
- Counselor Deanna Troi: No, I prefer a mode of transportation that doesn't have a mind of its own.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Strange. I would expect Betazoids to be outstanding animal trainers.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: We become too involved in the thoughts and shifting passions of the beast. We lose our way and get swept up in the emotion.
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [indicating himself] I would have thought the shifting passions of this beast would be far more terrifying.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: I had a Betazoid kitten once. My mother and the cat reacted... badly to one another.
- Counselor Deanna Troi: If there is a cosmic plan, are we not a part of it? Our presence at this moment in time could be a part of that fate.