Joseph (1995)

Ben Kingsley: Potiphar

Photos 

Quotes 

• Potiphar : And to whom are these prayers addressed to? Which gods?

  Joseph : Only one, my lord.

  Potiphar : Only one god. Must be very poor indeed.

  [crowd laughs] 

  Joseph : My God provides for all my needs.

  Potiphar : He hasn't done very well for you, has he?

  [more laughter] 

• Potiphar's Wife : [after Joseph is spared execution]  You sent him to prison? At your pleasure? What about my honor?

  Potiphar : What honor?

  Potiphar's Wife : How dare you!

  Potiphar : I know you, wife. I know you.

  Potiphar's Wife : You don't understand. Whatever you may think of me... how could you? How could you humiliate me like that?

  Potiphar : Because one humiliation deserves another. Wife, anyone who knows Joseph also knows that if he swears by his God then he's telling the truth.

• Potiphar : You had better prostrate quickly.

  Joseph : You know I cannot.

  Pharaoh : [furious]  You what?

  Joseph : Clearly the Pharaoh is greatness itself but my faith decrees that I can only kneel before God - even on pain of death.

  Pharaoh : [laughs]  Come forward. Take heed, magicians. Whatever happens, I know this man won't lie to me.

• Potiphar : I'd be careful if I were you. You worship as you like in Canaan but in Egypt only Pharaoh, son of Ra, is god.

• Potiphar's Wife : They say whatever he touches flourishes.

  Potiphar : Is this true?

  [Ednan nods] 

• Potiphar : Do you think you could bring some order in my home if I brought you out of the fields?

  Joseph : Out of the fields, master, I can do anything.

  Potiphar : Then out of the fields you shall be! We will see just how things flourish under your hand or perhaps, the hand of your God.

• Potiphar's Wife : What is more important to you? His God or my good name?

  Potiphar : The truth?

  Potiphar's Wife : The truth.

  Potiphar : Yes, that's what matters.

• Joseph : Forgiveness is greater than vengeance; compassion more powerful than anger.

  Potiphar : As I myself have learned.

• Merchant : He's submissive, he's obedient, and he knows his place! Never opens his mouth except to pray.

  Potiphar : Is that true, boy?

  Merchant : Answer the master!

  [Joseph nods]