Klingon proverbs

From Wikiquote

This is a compilation of known proverbs from the fictional Klingon race in the Star Trek television shows and films. Some of these proverbs are not original to Star Trek, but are likely cited as "Klingon" for entertainment value.

[edit] Sourced

• Revenge is a dish best served cold.
  • Khan Noonien Singh, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
  • Original Klingon: bortaS bIr jablu'DI' reH QaQqu' nay'
  • Transliteration: When cold revenge is served, the dish is always very good
  • Translation: Revenge is a dish best served cold
  • Earliest known print reference: Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1782) by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
    • Original French: La vengeance est un plat qui se mange froid.

• Four thousand throats may be cut in one night by a running man.
  • Klingon: qaStaHvIS wa' ram loS SaD Hugh SIjlaH qetbogh loD
  • Transliteration: As a single night continues to happen, a man who is running can slit four thousand throats.
  • Klingon soldier, Star Trek: The Original Series episode "Day of the Dove"
  • Klingon language source: The Klingon Dictionary, Marc Okrand

• Only a fool fights in a burning house.
  • Kang, Star Trek: The Original Series, "Day of the Dove"

• A fool and his head are soon parted.
  • tlhIngan Hol: tugh qoH 'ej nachDaj chevlu'ta'
  • The Final Reflection, John M. Ford

• The wind does not respect a fool.
  • Klingon: qoH vuvbe' SuS
  • Kahless, Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Rightful Heir"

• Destroying an Empire to win a war is no victory. And ending a battle to save an Empire is no defeat.
  • Kahless (quoted), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "Way of the Warrior"

• A leader is judged not by the length of his reign but by the decisions he makes.
  • Kahless (quoted), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, " Tacking into the Wind"

• Great men do not seek power; it is thrust upon them.
  • Kahless (quoted), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, " Tacking into the Wind"

• If you cannot control yourself, you cannot command others.
  • Klingon: blSeH'laH'be' chugh SoH blra'laH'be
  • Klingon Honor Guard manual, page 16

• Death is an experience best shared.
  • Klingon: Heghlu'Dl' mobbe'lu' chugh QaQqu' Hegh wanl
  • Klingon Honor Guard manual, page 29

• Pity the warrior who slays all his foes.
  • Klingon: Hoch jaghpu'Daj HoHbogh Suvwl' ylvup
  • Klingon Honor Guard manual, page 39

• A sharp knife is nothing without a sharp eye.
  • Klingon: IeghlaHchu'be' chugh mln lo'laHbe' taj jej
  • Klingon Honor Guard manual, page 47

• Brute strength is not the most important asset in a fight.
  • Klingon: Suvlu'taHvlS yapbe' HoS neH
  • Klingon Honor Guard manual, page 55

[edit] Attributed

• You cannot loosen a man's tongue with root beer.
  • Original Klingon: Worf

• Act, and you may eat dinner. Think, and you may be dinner.

• Mere life is not a victory, mere death is not a defeat.

• Perhaps today is a good day to die.
  • Worf, Star Trek: The Next Generation; oft-repeated
  • Gowron to Captain Sisko, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, season 4, episode 1, The Way of the Warrior; translated by Worf.
  • Original Klingon: Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam

• To those who are overly cautious, everything is impossible.
  • Kahless the Unforgettable

• If winning is not important, why keep score?
  • Worf, Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 1, episode 15 11001001
  • Klingon: potlhbe’chugh yay qatlh pe’’eghlu’. (The Klingon way, p.135)