"I claim to be neither the smartest nor the best, sir. I merely attempted to make decisions that would not risk the safety of the rest of the crew." Which, he believes, is how all Starfleet officers should act. There is no point in putting oneself above others if all will pay the price.

"I did not know what effect it would have on human systems, nor on my own. It was possible it would be instantly fatal for your biological makeup."