- [Odo tells Kira about the origin of his name]
- Odo: As you know, when Doctor Mora first brought me to his laboratory, it was under Cardassian supervision. All specimens had to be clearly labeled in Cardassian, so the overseers would always know what the scientists were working on. Since no one was exactly sure what I was, Mora labeled me 'Unknown Sample', which the overseer translated into Cardassian as 'Odo'ital'.
- Major Kira: So your name is 'Unknown Sample'?
- Odo: No. No. 'Odo'ital' literally means the word 'nothing'. Even after it became clear that I was sentient, the Bajoran scientists kept calling me that. As a joke, they split it into two words, like a Bajoran name: Odo Ital. Which eventually got shortened...
- Major Kira: ...to Odo.
- Odo: But, now, the thing is, for the longest time, whenever anyone would use my name, the first thing I would think of was what it meant, 'nothing'. What better way to describe me? I had no family, no friends, no place where I belonged. I thought it was the most appropriate name anyone could give me. And then I met you.
- [pause]
- Odo: ...And the others - Sisko, Dax, even Quark. And now, when I hear one of you call me Odo, I no longer think of myself as nothing. I think of myself as me.
- Nog: My father is a mechanical genius. He could've been chief engineer of a starship if he'd had the opportunity. But he went into business, like a good Ferengi. The only thing is, he's not a good Ferengi - not when it comes to acquiring profit. So now, all he has to live for, is the slim chance that someday, somehow, he might be able to take over my uncle's bar. Well, I'm not going to make the same mistake. I want to do something with my life, something worthwhile.
- Commander Sisko: Like Joining Starfleet.
- Nog: I might not have an instinct for business. But I have my father's hands and my uncle's tenacity. I *know* I've got something to offer. I just need a chance to prove it.
- Commander Sisko: [after a moment of reconsideration, Sisko smiles] Alright. I'll see to it you get that chance.
- [Nog can't believe his ears]
- Nog: You're going to recommend me to Starfleet Academy?
- Commander Sisko: I'll see to it that letter will be sent first thing tomorrow morning.
- Nog: [overwhelmed with joy] Commander, I don't know how to thank you!
- [laughing with joy, Nog jumps and gives Commander Sisko an excited and grateful hug]
- Commander Sisko: [calming him down; softly] Whoa, whoa, whoa... .
- [Nog calms down and straightens himself up like a real soldier]
- Commander Sisko: Don't thank me yet. You've got a lot of work ahead of you.
- Nog: Don't worry. I won't let you down. You'll never regret this!
- [They shake hands. Nog laughs, over the moon]
- Odo: It's been my observation that you humanoids have a hard time giving up the things you love, no matter how much they might hurt you.
- Nog: [a suspicous Sisko has just expressed his reluctance to send a letter of recommendation to Starfleet Academy and Nog is upset] I want to join Starfleet. I want it more than anything I've ever wanted in my life!
- Commander Sisko: You're a Ferengi. Why would you want to be in Starfleet? Where's the profit in it?
- Nog: I don't care about profit!
- Commander Sisko: [grabs Nog by the shoulders] Then what *do* you care about? Come on, Nog, tell me! Why is it so damned important that you get into Starfleet? Why're you doing this?
- Nog: [shouts in distraught] Because I don't want to end up like my father!
- Commander Sisko: [genuinely surprised; no longer angry] Your... father?
- Nog: That's right, my father. He's been chasing profit his whole life. And what has it gotten him? Nothing! And you know why? Because he doesn't have the lobes. And neither do I.
- [Rom and Nog are fixing Quark's replicator system, which has overloaded]
- Nog: He tried to warn you, Uncle Quark. You should've listened to him.
- Rom: No, it's my fault. I should've explained it better.
- Quark: Of course it's your fault, everything that goes wrong here is your fault. It says so in your contract.
- Nog: According to Ferengi bylaws, section 105, subparagraph 10: "Upon reaching adulthood, Ferengi males must purchase an apprenticeship from a suitable role model." I choose you.
- Commander Sisko: You want to be *my* apprentice?
- Nog: That's right. I want to be the first Ferengi in Starfleet! Now, who do I see about getting a uniform?
- Lieutenant Jadzia Dax: *Nog*?
- Commander Sisko: My reaction exactly.
- Lieutenant Jadzia Dax: I always thought it would be interesting to have a Ferengi in Starfleet - but Nog?
- Female Shapeshifter: You really are quite a skillful investigator.
- Odo: And you're quite a skillful Changeling.
- Odo: But why lead us here? Why replace Major Kira?
- Female Shapeshifter: I needed to understand why you chose to live with the Solids rather than your own people. I suspected it had something to do with Major Kira. Now, I'm certain of it.
- Nog: I may not have an instinct for business; but I have my father's hands and my uncle's tenacity. I know I've got something to offer. I just need the chance to prove it.
- [Odo has told Kira about his kayaking trips with O'Brien in the holosuites]
- Major Kira: How long do these boat trips usually take?
- Odo: That depends.
- Major Kira: On what?
- Odo: On how many times we capsize.
- Commander Sisko: [18th Rule of Acquisition] A Ferengi without profit...
- Nog: ...is no Ferengi at all.
- Female Shapeshifter: Save her, if it suits you. But it won't make any difference. She is never going to love you. How could she? You are a Changeling.
- [Odo and Kira are looking for a fugitive on a seismically unstable moon]
- Odo: If he's smart, he'll let us find him. A Federation prison would be paradise compared to this place.