'I think I'll just walk to and fro for a while, maybe over to my console. After that, maybe I'll try pacing fro and to, you know, just for the kick of it' - Ivanova, 'Believers'

The ultimate quote is by Delenn from 'Severed Dreams.' "There is only one Earth captain who has survived a battle with a Minbari ship. He is behind me. You are in front of me. If you value your lives, BE SOMEWHERE ELSE!" Delenn definitely has brass ones.

"Cannot run out of time. There is infinite time. You are finite. Zathras is finite. This ... is wrong tool."

War without End

Can anyone explain the Duck Jokes (Lurkers Guide, resources section, under humor) The only duck reference I can remember is the scene in which Londo and Vir confuse ducks with cats ("I feel like I'm being pecked to death by cats.") This scene does not fit into the right context for the duck jokes, which all involve the Captain. What am I missing?

Copied from a post made by JMS:

Ah.

The duck.

Welp, listen up, young 'uns, and you'll hear a tale from the old days, from back when the bald 'n' bony fan club made sense, Sinclair was the station's final commander, and moderation was a thing for rec.humor.funny.

It seems that certain people once had a certain fondness for certain parts of Claudia Christian's anatomy. These people started a thread to discuss them, and this thread was called "Ivanova's t*ts," and it was slightly censored to appease the vocally offendable.

Certain _other_ people asked, "So why don't we ever have threads like this about the _guys_?" And so, not to be outdone, these people promptly started a thread entitled "Sinclair's d*ck."

JMS saw this thread, and unto it posted the reply: "Hey! How did you find out about that? We weren't supposed to introduce Sinclair's duck until season 3!"

Shortly thereafter, the aforementioned gif appeared on the Lurker's Guide.

Let that be a warning to you.

Thanks!

"All my life I've had doubts about who I am, where I belonged. Now, I'm like the arrow that springs from the bow--no hesitation, no doubts. The path is clear."

--Sinclair, "War Without End"

may not be exact:
"as you walk through the corridors of power, you lose friends, Vir, you have allies, and enemies, people are close to you because they need something from you or because you need somethign from them. But you have not been effected, you have not been touched by the power, and are still my friend. I must assume that you have not been payind attention"

Lando Mollary.

I've said lots of bad things about JMS, and I'm sticking to them, but he can write some great lines

I agree with harvey about Delenn's line.
But how about the best Ivanova line of all
time:
"Ivanova is always right.I will listen to Ivanova.
I will not ignore Ivanova's recommendaions.
Ivanova is God.And if this ever happens again,
Ivanova will personally rip your lungs out."

Kosh's line: The avalanche has already started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote.

Ivanova had some great lines. I like the one Scott put up. Of course, some of the interactions were good, too.
Ivanova (told she needs to gain, not lose, weight): Figures. All my life I've fought for Russia. Now, suddenly, I AM the expanding Russian front.
Dr. Franklin (sotto voce): But with very nice borders.

When I remember some more, I'll post them.

Actually, looking back over the board (while I wait to make sure my post came up), I think the "pecked to death" line was good, too.

Londo: I feel like I'm being pecked by .. what are those Earth animals? Small, feathers, beaks?
Vir: Cats.
Londo: Yes. Pecked to death by cats.

(The above is an approximation, since I don't have my reference book right on hand. I will have to post the name soon, for all of you who want to read a really good book about B5. It includes Ivanova's Life Lessons, Koshisms, and Dialogue to Rewind For. The above is from the last.)

You refer to the excellent Babylon File by Andy Lane. I recommend it and volume two to anyone.

"I want to live just long enough to be there when they cut off your head and stick it on a pike, as a warning to the next ten generations that some favours come at too high a price."

Vir Cotto to Morden

Can't remember the episode, though.

The episode is "In the Shadows of Z'ha'dum," from the second season.

Thank you.

...and Vir's line, mentioned above, makes a great insult, too.
We were at lunch, and some chick was bugging us, I've forgotten why or how, but my friend was starting to get upset. So I waved at the chick like Vir waves at Morden in the scene. It really released the tension. And the best thing was, since she wasn't a B5 person, she didn't even know she'd been gotten.
It was great!

And now I remember the dialogue with the wave. The complete quote is: I want to live just long enough to be there when they cut off your head and stick it on a pike, as a warning to the next ten generations that some favours come with too high a price. And I want to wave - like this. Can you arrange that for me, Mr. Morden?

I really like Vir. He seems so innocent, but he has such strong moral fibre. He wouldn't even let his hormones rule his head. I thought it was great when he got to see his wish come true.

"I am Susan Ivanova. Commander. Daughter of Andre and Sophie Ivanova. I am the right hand of vengeance and the boot that is going to kick your sorry ass all the way back to Earth, •••••••••! I am death incarnate, and the last living thing that you are ever going to see. God sent me."

Ivonava to Pro-Clark Captain,
"Between The Darkness and The Light"

G'Kar to Lyta in Objects in Motion:

"We are all the sum of our tears - too little and the ground is not fertile and nothing can grow; too much and the best of us is washed away."

"Nozen falani en alise modren."
--Marcus speaking Minbari to Ivonava.
"Shadow Dancing"

Marcus translates this as a greeting:
"My words are inadequate to the burden of my heart," but it really means,
"You're the most beautiful woman I ever met."


[BTW, I spelled these phonetically. If someone knows how the words should be spelled, please post.]

Marcus to Neroon in 'Grey 17 is Missing'

'Next time you have a revelation, do you think it could be a little less painful'

Not sure if that's the exact quote.

Interrogator to Sheridan 'Intersections in Real Time'

'Do you have any allergies, are you taking any medication?'

He's just so calm and uncaring when he says that.

Douglas--
I think it goes ". . . do you think it could be a little less uncomfortable?" but havn't seen the ep in a while.

Also, the Minbari quote above should probably read: "Nozen falani en alise medron."

Douglas, the exact line is:
The next time you want a revelation, could you possibly find a way that isn't quite so uncomfortable?

And, now that I've finally found my list:

Marcus, on board the White Star, telling Ivanova where they're headed next: Sector 87 by 20 by 42. At least a dozen ships have reported seeing something rather godlike in the area, and since neither you nor I were there, it must be one of the First Ones.
Once there, after Ivanova discovers Marcus is a virgin, he reports that he's picking something up on the ship's scanners.
Ivanova: A unicorn?

(One that is near and dear to my heart - and biorythms)
Sinclair: Morning, Lieutenant Commander. Problem sleeping?
Ivanova: Sleeping is not the problem. Waking up - that is the problem. I've always had a hard time getting up when it's dark outside.
Sinclair: But in space it's always dark.
Ivanova (with feeling): I know. I know.

Ivanova: Worst case of testosterone poisoning I've ever seen.

To correct my previous post:
Ivanova: Figures. All my life I've fought against imperialism. Now, suddenly, I am the expanding Russian frontier.
Franklin, sotto voce: But with very nice borders.

Sheridan: Do you always worry when things are going well?
Ivanova: I don't have time to worry about them when they're not.

...as the war expanded, (Babylon 5) became our last, best hope for victory. Because sometimes, peace is another word for surrender, and because secrets have a way of getting out.... from ending voiceover.
(I don't really like war, but this explains why I think it is sometimes necessary.)

Ivanova's attempt at speaking Minbari: Engines at full..high power, hatrack ratcatcher, to port weapons..brickbat lingerie.

Tu-pari: Are you Ambassador G'Kar?
G'Kar: This is Ambassador G'Kar's quarters. This is Ambassador G'Kar's table. This is Ambassador G'Kar's dinner. What part of this progression escapes you?

Londo, about his wives: Do you think I married them for their personalities? Their personalities could shatter entire planets!
(Which could be why he affectionately refers to them as Pestilence, Famine and Death.)

The universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements - energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest.

Elric: As I look at you, Ambassador Molari, I see a great hand reaching out of the stars. The hand is your hand. And I hear sounds - the sounds of billions of people calling your name.
Londo, awestruck: My followers?
Elric: Your victims.

Londo: I am an old man. What is lost by trying? As the humans say, Who dares, wins.
Vir: Who dares sometimes gets his head cut off and stuck on a pike.
(Never actually aired)

Last one for now:
It is a shadow play - without form or substance.

Great lines Mei.
What about
Dr Tasaki 'What better way to go out than in the cause of advancin scientific knowledge?
Ivanova 'Is this a multiple-choice question, because I have some ideas?'

Ivanova 'On your way back I'd like you to take the time to learn the Babylon 5 mantra "Ivanova is always right. I will listen to Ivanova. I will not ignore Ivanova's recommendations. Ivanova is God. And, if this ever happens again, Ivanova will personally rip your lungs out.'

In the Beginning

Koplann: 'Why is it that whenever I talk to you, all I ever get are questions?'

Delenn: 'Perhaps, because questions are all that I have left, and after today, they are all I will ever have left.'

That line just underlines Delenn's despair at the war, her guilt over casting the deciding vote, and her distaste over what she sees her race becoming.

The preacher in And The Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place:

You know before I got married, Emily came by sometimes to help me clean out my apartment. Well, I asked her, "How come you are so eager to help clean up my place, when your place is just as bad?" She said, "Because cleaning up your place helps me to forget what a mess I have made of mine, and when I sweep my floor, all I have done is sweep my floor, but when I help you clean up your place, I am helping you." Of course, the way I lived back then sometimes the mess was too much for both of us, but it sure was nice to have the company.

Hope you're ready for more.

Londo: Is there something wrong with your hearing?
Vir: No, it's just for a moment I thought I had entered and alternate universe.
(Sometimes I think I live in an alternate universe - and I want to go back!)

G'Kar, warning Mariel that her plot to kill Londo might be discovered: If I were married to Londo Molari, I'd be concerned.
Mariel: G'Kar, if you were married to Londo, we'd all be concerned.

Garibaldi to Franklin: Maybe someone should have labeled the future "Some assembly required."

Londo, after a long and torturous explanation: I'm not sure that made any sense, but I'm afraid if I go back to figure it out, I'll start bleeding from my ears.

Marcus, on how to stop the First Ones from leaving: I'll put a bucket on my head and pretend to be the ancient Vorlon god Booji.
Ivanova, suddenly getting an idea: That's it!
Marcus: Fine, I'll get a bucket.
(He was such an obliging fellow.)

Londo, about Vir's report: I have only seen political naivete this complete once before, in a speech before the Centarum by Lord Jarno. When he was finished, we recommended that he be sterilized in the best interests of evolution, but then we remembered that he was married to Lady Jarno, so really there was no need.

Delenn to Londo,, when she invites him to the rebirth ceremony: In the matter of confessions, meditation, and the closing of past wounds, Ambassador, you were at the top of my list.

Marcus, being threatening: In five minutes I'll be the only person at this table still standing. Five minutes after that I'll be the only person in this room still standing.
Marcus clearing up after his bluff is called: Bugger. Now I'll have to wait for someone to wake up.

(One of my absolute favourites)
Marcus: I used to think how awful it was that life was so unfair. Then I thought, Wouldn't it be much worse if life really were fair, and all the awful things that happen to us came because we really deserve them? So now I take great comfort in the general unfairness of the universe.

Londo: Everyone around me dies, Mr. Morden, except the ones that most deserve it.

Garibaldi: Why is everything around here a long story? Why isn't anything ever a short story - a paragraph?

Lennier to Delenn when she refuses to believe that Neroon will kill her: He said he would use any and all means necessary. I respectfully suggest that he intends to go far beyond harsh language.

Garibaldi, to the maintenance worker when she says that the worker disappeared into thin air: Thin air - why is it always thin air? Never fat air, chubby air, mostly fit but could stand to lose a few pounds air?

Captain "Call Me Subtle" Sheridan's way of telling Ericsson that he won't be coming back: You're not a married man, are you, Ericsson?
(This was actually Dialogue to Fast Forward Past, but I rather think it's so bad it's good.)

And, lastly,
G'Kar to Garibaldi: Do not thump the book of G'Quan - it is disrespectful.

"We were walking by the Pakmara's quarters and they were. . . singing. . . . Apparently it's something they do only on certain religious occasions. It was the most beautiful sound I ever heard. I looked over at Londo, and a tear was running down his face. I said, Londo, we should leave, this is upsetting you. But he just stood there listening until they stopped singing. Then he said to me, 'Vir, there are forty-nine gods in our pantheon. I do not think I ever believed in any of them. But if just one of them exsists, then God sings with that voice.' "
--Vir telling a story in "Sleeping in Light"

"There comes a time when you look into the mirror and realize that what you see is all that you will ever be. Then you accept it, or you kill yourself. Or you stop looking into mirrors."

Londo Mollari, _Babylon 5_:"Chrysalis"

Stephen and Marcus en route to Mars hidden in a ship's cargo hold:

Marcus: I spy with my little eye something beginning with "B".
Stephen (instantly): Boxes.
Marcus: Right. I spy with my little eye something beginning with "M".
Stephen (equally instantly): More boxes.
Marcus: Two in a row.
Stephen: And that's when I shot him, your honour.
Marcus: I spy with my little eye something beginning with "E".
Stephen: I give up.
Marcus: Oh, go on.
Stephen: This better not be what I ...
Together: ... Even more boxes.

Some other great lines:

Londo to Vir in one of the early episodes: "What is it, you moon-faced assassin of joy?"

G'Kar: "There are three fundamental elements of the universe: matter, energy, and enlightened self-interest." (I don't remember which episode this is from, or if I have quoted this correctly. Can anyone help?)

Harvey - at the risk of being labelled a real fangirl, the G'Kar quote comes from the first season episode "Survivors".

I'm not that much of an addict - I just happened to be watching the episode on video this evening, and having only read your post a few hours earlier, the quote obviously jumped out at me!

My Favorite is still Kosh's erie:

"If you go to Za'Ha'Dum you will die."

Callie - Thanks for the help. Did I get the quote right? I knew I had the gist of it, but I didn't know if the quote was verbatum.

We should all keep this quote in mind, especially in an election season. This can help us determine the reality from what the politicians say.

Lennier to SHeridan after Sheridan and Delenn spent the night together: "WOOHOO?"

Kosh, while Sheridan is at Zha'dhum: "Jump, jump now."

Lorien to Sheridan: "You are quite, quite dead."

Delenn to 'Jack' the Inquisitor: "You are a creature that has received pain and given pain and taken too much joy in its application. You have aspired to dreams and been dissapointed because you are not strong enough or worthy enough or right enough so you lash enough at anyone who believes they can make a difference
because it reminds you of your own failure, you have to prove they are just as bad, just as far as you are. Am I close MR Sebastian?


Sheridan: "This is Captain John Sheridan. We are here on the authority of a multi-planetary force that can no longer watch one of their greatest allies falling into darkness and despair. We are here on behalf of the thousands of civilians murdered, under orders from the current administration who have no-one else to speak for them and on behalf of the Earthforce units who have joined us to oppose the tyranny that has darkened Earth ever since President Santiago was assasinated three years ago. We are here to place President Clark under arrest, to disband Nightwatch and return our government to the hands of our people.
We know that many in the government have wanted to act but have been intimidated by threats of retaliation against your family, your friends. You are not alone any more. We call upon you to rise up and do what is right. We have drawn their forces away from Earth and disabled them. The time to act is NOW.
This is not the voice the treason. These are your sons, your daughters whose loyalties have never wavered, whose beliefs in this alliance has forced us to take extraordinary means. For justice, for peace, for the future, we have come home.

Sheridan: Well as answers go, short, to the point, utterly useless and totally consistent with what I've come to expect from a Vorlon.
Kosh (turning away): Good.

Sheridan to G'Kar: If this bothers you, I suggest to stay in your quarters, stick your fingers in your ears and hum real loud until this is over.

Sheridan to Rangers: Tell them, from this place we will deliver notice to the Parliaments of conquerors that a line has been drawn against the Darkness, and we will hold that line, no matter the cost.

Centauri Lady (on being asked for the loan of her dress): Ah, Emperor Cartagia also used to play this game with me, but Prime Minister, you are not my size.

that one sends some chills up my spine just thinking about the images that brings to mind...

"You've misspelled this. There's no 'Y' in liberties."
"Oh, go away. Repress someone else."
"As you wish."
-- Londo and G'Kar in Babylon 5:"The Paragon of Animals"

I have a favorite B5 quote, I just remembered. It isn't something from the show, but about the show rather.

Someone at Entertainment Weekly, a while back:

"Think Star Trek, with even heavier morals."

I don't what it is about that, but that one always makes me laugh.

Wm Edgars. Do you know how the ancient Greeks defined happiness?

Garibaldi. No but I bet it involved three goats and a jug of wine.

General bloke off Endgame. "The enemy just pulled our shorts over our heads and tied them in a knot. (Fair play to him saying that without giggling.).

"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yeald."

I know that JMS was quoting Tennesin with that quote, but I still like it.

From JMS, "If you're not here to kick @$$, get out." & "When in doubt roll in a gernade and come in fireing."

From In The Beginning, when Londo Molari met with the EarthForce generals:

General: "We handled the Dilgar; we can handle the Minbari."

Londo: "Ahh, arrogance and stupidity, all in the same package. How very efficient!"

----------------------
And then there was the ep where Londo and Lennier were in a fight during a card game, and Sinclair met with them:

Sinclair: "I'm waiting for an explanation, gentlemen."

Londo: "I'm prepared to give one as soon as the room stops spinning."

Sinclair: "This station creates artificial gravity by rotation. The room never stops spinning."

Londo: "And now you begin to see the extent of my problem."

---------------------
Finally, Ivanova woke up early one morning, and wasn't feeling particularly well, I guess:

Computer: "Good morning. The time is oh-five-thirty. Would you like to download station logs for the past twelve hours?"

Ivanova: "Sure. Grab it. Save it. Stuff it."

Computer: "Unable to comply. Please restate request."

Ivanova: "Never mind. Why does my mouth always taste like old carpet in the morning?"

Computer: "Accessing medical records."

Sheridan rehearsing his apology to the Centauri, after the Centauri shot at a Narn ship under Bab5 protection:
I'm sorry we had to defend ourselves against an unwarranted attack. I'm sorry that your crew were •••••• enough to fire on a station filled with a quarter million civilians, including your own people. And I'm sorry I waited as long as I did before I blew them all straight to ****!

Do you get the feeling he wasn't sorry? ;-)

This one is long, but I really like it.
Vir to Londo: I believe there are currents in the universe, eddies and tides that pull us one way or the other. Some we have to fight, some we have to embrace. Unfortunately, the currents we have to fight look exactly like the currents we have to embrace. The currents that we think are the ones that are going to make us stronger are the ones that are going to destroy us - they're the ones we have to avoid. And the ones we think are going to destroy us - they're the ones that are going to make us stronger.

Lennier has been injured in an explosion:
Delenn: "How do you feel?"
Lennier: "As though a great many heavy object had fallen on me."

Lennier, on being told that the Centaurum will want to reward him for saving Londo: "I should have stayed in the coma."

Londo:"Go be the Ambassador to Babylon 5, they say, it will be an easy assignment. I hate my life."
G'kar, with feeling: "So do I."
Londo: "Shut up!"

From Convictions

Hey guys, I need your help very much. There was an episode where it was said:

"The truth is a three-edged sword."

I believe that Kosh said it. Does anyone know who said it, in what episode, and in what context?

I need this for a class I am taking now that ends on 6/8/2002. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Into the Fire.

Google is your friend.

Thanks, Scott. I appreciate the help.

Didn't he also say it to Talia in Deathwalker (season 1)? It was when she asked for an explanation of the whole Abbut/Kosh business. Or was it 'Understanding is a three-edged sword" in that case?

ScottN: What was the context in 'Into the Fire'? I guess it was a flashback , because Kosh was dead by then.

There was also an episode where Sheridan says it back to Kosh - showing that he's figured out what it means. What ep. was that?

OK. Memory now working.

In Into the Fire Sheridan is talking to the Vorlons in the final confrontation. He says:
"The Vorlons have a saying: understanding is a three-edged sword. Your side, their side, and the truth."

War without End I, after an explanation from Sinclair:

Sheridan: And you believe it...?
Sinclair: I believe it...
Marcus: If Entil-Zah believes it, I believe it...
(they all look to Ivanova)
Ivanova (deadpan): I'll be in the car.

Garibaldi to G'Kar at the end of The Gathering:
Beep-beep.

Great Koshism:
You have always been here.

Bester (I think): "I had my orders"

Sinclair: "Listen mister I don't care if you had a personal messege from God, compleat with stone tablets".

Here's one of my favorites (The War Prayer, Season 1):

Vir: Kiron may die because our "glorious" tradition values wealth and power over love.
Londo: My shoes are too tight.
Vir: Excuse me?
Londo: Something my father said. He was old, very old at the time. I went into his room, and he was sitting alone in the dark, crying. So I asked him what was wrong, and he said, "My shoes are too tight, but it doesn't matter, because I have forgotten how to dance." I never understood what that meant until now. My shoes are too tight, and I have forgotten how to dance.

No Compromises
Sheridan’s inauguration has been delayed for the second time because of an attempted assassination before Garibaldi finally catches the assassin and gets him blown to bits. G’Kar, officiating at Sheridan’s inauguration, comes back in.
G’Kar: “Do you want to be President?”
Sheridan: “Yes!”
G’Kar: “Put your hand on the book and say, ‘I do’.”
Sheridan: “I do!”
G’Kar: “Good! Done. Let’s eat.”

The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari
Mollari to Zack: “Do you know what this is? No, I can see you do not – you have that vacant look in your eyes that says, ‘Hold my head to your ear – you will hear the sea’.”

Can't believe all these posts and not ONE has mentioned this classic (Boxleitner's favourite)

Drazi ambassador: I thought you were dead!
Sheridan: I was- but I'm better now.

Having watched the first four seasons over christmas (would have been all 5 if the final dvd box set had shipped already), I'll offer this one from There All Honour Lies (and I'm a DS9 fan as well ).

Ivanova (on being told of the merchandise stand in the Zocalo) "This isn't some kind of deep space franchise."

Im surprised no one remembered this gem.

Londo:Do you know what the last Xon said before he died. ARRRRGHH!!

Ivanova: "Never mind. Why does my mouth always taste like old carpet in the morning?"

because she's a lesbian?

She's not a lesbian though, she's bisexual.

Brian, the exact quote from Bester is "We had our orders."

Oh, my favorite:

Bester: You can't talk to them. You can talk to her. You can talk to me. Everyone talks to me. People like talking to me. I guess I just have that kind of face.

And:

Sheridan: So, how did you find out about all of this?
Bester: I'm...a telepath. Work it out.

Forgot this one from "Dust to Dust":

Bester: If I had my talent working, I could've warned you when he was coming.

Garibaldi: And if I had a baseball bat, we could hang you from the ceiling and play piñata. I still think I should've gone straight to G'Kar.

Bester: We have no evidence that he made the sale yet. Why annoy the Narn without cause if we are wrong? Shut off the problem at the source and the rest attends to itself. A piñata, huh? So, you think of me as something bright and cheerful full of toys and candy for young children. Thank you! That makes me feel.. much better about our relationship.