Mal: Hey. Stay with me, Shepherd.
Book: That’s… that’s quite a lot of blood, isn’t it?
Mal: Just means you ain’t dead.
Book: Afraid I might be needing a preacher.
Mal: That’s good. You lie there and be ironical.
Firefly — Episode 5 — “Safe”
Jayne: Yah! Get along!
Mal: You know, they walk just as easy if you lead ’em.
Jayne: I like smackin’ ’em.
Book: Hope this corral’s strong enough to hold them. “Shepherd’s” a purely figurative title, you know.
Zoe: Next time we smuggle stock, let’s make it something smaller.
Wash: Yeah, we should start dealing in those black-market beagles.
Firefly — Episode 5 — “Safe”
Jayne: You know what the chain of command is? It’s the chain I go get and beat you with until you understand who’s in ruttin’ command here. Now we’re finishing this deal, and then maybe… maybe we’ll come back for those morons who got themselves caught. You can’t change that by getting all… bendy.
Wash: All what?
Jayne: You’ve got the light.. from the console.. keep you… lift you up. They shine like… little angels… (collapses)
Wash: Did he just go crazy and fall asleep?
Simon: I told him to sit down.
Kaylee: You doped him.
Simon: It was supposed to kick in a good deal sooner. I, I just didn’t feel comfortable with him in charge. I hope.. hope that’s all right.
Firefly – Episode 2 – “The Train Job”
Inara:You should really have the young doctor look at this.
Book: It’s not so bad.
Inara: Well, I’m sure you’ll be fine.
Book: I didn’t say that… Is this what life is, out here?
Inara: Sometimes.
Book: I’ve been out of the abbey two days, I’ve beaten a lawman senseless, I’ve fallen in with criminals. I watched the captain shoot the man I swore to protect… And I’m not even sure if I think he was wrong.
Inara: Shepherd…
Book: I believe I just… I think I’m on the wrong ship.
Inara: Maybe. Or maybe you’re exactly where you ought to be.
Firefly – Episode 1 – “Serenity”
Kaylee: You’re gonna come with us.
Book: Excuse me?
Kaylee: You like ships; you don’t seem to be lookin’ at the destinations. What you care about is ships, and mine’s the nicest.
Book: She don’t look like much.
Kaylee: Oh, she’ll fool ya. You ever sail in a Firefly?
Book: Long before you were crawlin’. Not an aught-three though, didn’t have the extenders, tended to shake.
Kaylee: So, uh, how come you don’t care where you’re going?
Book: ‘Cause how you get there’s the worthier part.
Kaylee: Are you a missionary?
Book: I guess. I’m a Shepherd from the Southdown Abbey. Book, I’m called Book. Been out of the world for a spell, like to walk it a while. Maybe bring the Word to them as need it told.
Kaylee: Well I’m Kaykee, and this here’s Serenity. She’s the smoothest ride from here to Boros for anyone can pay… Can you… pay, or…
Book: Well, I got a little cash, and, uh… (opens box for Kaylee)
Kaylee: Oh, grandpa!
Book: I never married.
Firefly – Episode 1 – “Serenity”