The Klingon Way in pI­qaD

Here, presented in pIqaD, are the 160 Klingon sayings discussed in the book The Klingon Way (by Marc Okrand). For further information as to their meanings and usage, page references to that book has been included.

tlhIngan tIgh ; SuvwI’ DevmeH paq
The Klingon Way – A Warrior’s Guide
[TKW p.iii]

Dujeychugh jagh nIv yItuHQo’ .
There is nothing shameful in falling before a superior enemy.
[TKW p.ix,24]

tlhIngan maH .
We are Klingons!
[TKW p.3]

bogh tlhInganpu’ ; SuvwI’pu’ moj ; Hegh .
Klingons are born, live as warriors, then die.
[TKW p.5]

SuvmeH ’ej charghmeH bogh tlhInganpu’ .
Klingons are born to fight and conquer.
[TKW p.5]

DabuQlu’DI’ yISuv .
When threatened, fight.
[TKW p.7]

qa’ wIje’meH maSuv .
We fight to enrich the spirit.
[TKW p.7]

bI’IQchugh yIvang .
If you are sad, act!
[TKW p.8]

tIqIppu’ ’ej nom tIqIp .
Hit them hard and hit them fast.
[TKW p.8]

lumbe’ tlhInganpu’ .
Klingons do not procrastinate.
[TKW p.9]

Dubotchugh yIpummoH .
If it’s in your way, knock it down.
[TKW p.9]

mataHmeH maSachnIS .
To survive, we must expand.
[TKW p.11]

Hem tlhIngan Segh ’ej maHemtaH ’e’ wIHech .
Klingons are a proud race, and we intend to go on being proud.
[TKW p.13]

ta’mey Dun ; bommey Dun .
Great deeds, great songs.
[TKW p.15]

bomDI’ ’IwwIj qaqaw .
The memory of you sings in my blood.
[TKW p.17]

bISuv ’e’ yIwIv bISutlh ’e’ yIwIvQo’ .
Choose to fight, not negotiate.
[TKW p.19]

bISutlhnIS jaghlI’ mInDu’ tIbej .
If you must negotiate, watch you enemy’s eyes.
[TKW p.19]

Suvlu’taHvIS yapbe’ HoS neH .
Brute strength is not the most important asset in a fight.
[TKW p.21]

tIqDaq HoSna’ tu’lu’ .
Real power is in the heart.
[TKW p.23]

pujwI’ HIvlu’chugh quvbe’lu’ .
There is no honor in attacking the weak.
[TKW p.24]

bISovbejbe’DI’ tImer .
When in doubt, surprise them.
[TKW p.25]

DujlIj yIvoq .
Trust your instincts.
[TKW p.27]

SuvwI’pu’ qan tu’lu’be’ .
There are no old warriors.
[TKW p.29]

’IwlIj ghogh yIQoy .
Listen to the voice of your blood.
[TKW p.31]

tujpa’ qul pub SuvwI’ ’Iw .
A warrior’s blood boils before the fire is hot.
[TKW p.32]

loghDaq Suvrupbogh SuvwI’pu’ chaH Hoch SuvwI’pu’’e’ .
In space, all warriors are cold warriors.
[TKW p.33]

tay’taHbe’ ’Iw bIQ je .
Blood and water don’t mix.
[TKW p.34]

reH tay’ ghot tuqDaj je .
One is always of his tribe.
[TKW p.34]

tlhutlhmeH HIq ngeb qaq law’ bIQ qaq puS .
Drinking fake ale is better than drinking water.
[TKW p.35]

nIteb Qob qaD jup ’e’ chaw’be’ SuvwI’ .
A warrior does not let a friend face danger alone.
[TKW p.37]

may’Daq jaHDI’ SuvwI’ juppu’Daj lonbe’ .
When a warrior goes to battle, he does not abandon his friends.
[TKW p.38]

vulchoHbe’ tlhInganpu’ .
Klingons do not faint.
[TKW p.40]

ropchoHbe’ tlhInganpu’ .
Klingons do not get sick.
[TKW p.40]

QongDaqDaq Qotbe’ tlhInganpu’ .
Klingons do not lie in bed.
[TKW p.40]

yIn DayajmeH ’oy’ yISIQ .
To understand life, endure pain.
[TKW p.43]

’utbe’ bel .
Pleasure is nonessential.
[TKW p.45]

loQ ’oy’DI’ SuvwI’ bepbe’ .
A warrior does not complain about physical discomfort.
[TKW p.46]

not toj tlhInganpu’ .
Klingons never bluff.
[TKW p.46]

batlh ghob yIpab .
Adhere to virtue honorably.
[TKW p.47]

pop ’oH ghob’e’ .
Virtue is the reward.
[TKW p.47]

ghob tIvnISbe’lu’ .
One need not enjoy virtue.
[TKW p.48]

reH ’eb tu’lu’ .
There is always a chance.
[TKW p.49]

Hoch ’ebmey tIjon .
Capture all opportunities.
[TKW p.51]

batlh potlh law’ yIn potlh puS .
Honor is more important than life.
[TKW p.53]

batlhHa’ vanglu’taHvIS quv chavbe’lu’ .
One does not achieve honor while acting dishonorably.
[TKW p.55]

tlhIngan quv DatIchDI’ Seng yIghuH .
When you insult a Klingon’s honor, prepare for trouble.
[TKW p.56]

bIlujlaHbe’chugh bIQaplaHbe’ .
If you cannot fail, you cannot succeed.
[TKW p.56]

bItuHlaHbe’chugh bIquvlaHbe’ .
If you cannot be shamed, you cannot be honored.
[TKW p.57]

quv Hutlh HoHbogh tlhIngan ’ach qabDaj ’angbe’bogh .
The Klingon who kills without showing his face has no honor.
[TKW p.59]

’ang’eghQo’ quv Hutlhbogh jagh neH ghobtaHvIS ghaH .
Only an enemy without honor refuses to show himself in battle.
[TKW p.61]

nIteb SuvnIS DevwI’ .
A leader must stand alone.
[TKW p.63]

nIteb DujlIj yIchIj .
Navigate your vessel alone.
[TKW p.63]

ghIj qet jaghmeyjaj .
May you enemies run with fear.
[TKW p.65]

jaghmeylI’ DaghIjjaj qetjaj jaghmeylI’ .
May you scare your enemies, may your enemies run.
[TKW p.65]

wa’ Qu’vaD wa’ DevwI’ tu’lu’ .
For one mission, there is one leader.
[TKW p.66]

batlh qelDI’ tlhIngan ; lumbe’ .
A Klingon does not postpone a matter of honor.
[TKW p.67]

Heghlu’meH QaQ jajvam .
It is a good day to die.
[TKW p.69]

batlh bIHeghjaj .
May you die well.
[TKW p.71]

bIHeghvIpchugh bIHeghpu’ .
If you are afraid to die, you have already died.
[TKW p.72]

Heghlu’DI’ mobbe’lu’chugh QaQpu’ Hegh wanI’ .
Death is an experience best shared.
[TKW p.73]

bIQapqu’meH tar DaSop ’e’ DatIvnIS .
To really succeed, you must enjoy eating poison.
[TKW p.73]

DujDaj HubtaHvIS Hegh ’e’ tul Hoch tlhIngan .
To die defending his ship is the hope of every Klingon.
[TKW p.74]

Qu’Daj ta’taHvIS Hegh ’e’ tul Hoch tlhIngan .
To die in the line of duty is the hope of every Klingon.
[TKW p.74]

wo’ toy’taHvIS Hegh ’e’ tul Hoch tlhIngan .
To die while serving the Empire is the hope of every Klingon.
[TKW p.74]

reH Suvrup tlhIngan SuvwI’ .
A Klingon warrior is always prepared to fight.
[TKW p.77]

reH Heghrup tlhIngan SuvwI’ .
A Klingon warrior is always prepared to die.
[TKW p.77]

bImejDI’ reH betleHlIj yItlhap .
Never leave without your bat’telh.
[TKW p.79]

not lay’Ha’ tlhIngan .
No Klingon ever breaks his word.
[TKW p.80]

wa’ DoS neH yIbuS .
Focus on but one target.
[TKW p.81]

Hovmey Davan .
You salute the stars.
[TKW p.83]

toDuj ’oS rol .
A beard is a symbol of courage.
[TKW p.85]

bIjatlh ’e’ yImev . yItlhutlh .
Stop talking! Drink!
[TKW p.87]

wej Heghchugh vay’ ; SuvtaH SuvwI’ .
A warrior fights to the death.
[TKW p.88]

jeghbe’ tlhInganpu’ .
Klingons do not surrender.
[TKW p.89]

may’meyDajvo’ Haw’be’ tlhIngan .
A Klingon does not run away from his battles.
[TKW p.91]

Dajonlu’pa’ bIHeghjaj .
May you die before you are captured.
[TKW p.93]

QamvIS Hegh qaq law’ torvIS yIn qaq puS .
Better to die on our feet than live on our knees.
[TKW p.95]

vubpu’ jon nuchpu’. jonbe’ tlhInganpu’ .
Cowards take hostages. Klingons do not.
[TKW p.97]

QI’tommerDaq Heghpu’ Hoch .
No one survived Khitomer.
[TKW p.99]

’etlh QorghHa’lu’chugh ragh ’etlh nIvqu’ ’ej jejHa’choH .
Even the best blade will rust and grow dull unless it is cared for.
[TKW p.101]

reH boch qutluch lo’lu’bogh .
The used kut’luch is always shiny.
[TKW p.103]

vaj toDuj Daj ngeHbej DI vI’ .
Shooting space garbage is no test of a warrior’s mettle.
[TKW p.104]

not qoHpu’’e’ neH ghIjlu’ .
Only fools have no fear.
[TKW p.105]

qoH vuvbe’ SuS .
The wind does not respect a fool.
[TKW p.107]

vay’ DaghIjlaHchugh bIHoSghaj .
Fear is power.
[TKW p.109]

meQtaHbogh qachDaq Suv qoH neH .
Only a fool fights in a burning house.
[TKW p.111]

HIvbe’ qoHpu’ neH .
Only fools don’t attack.
[TKW p.113]

Hegh neH chav qoH .
A fool’s only achievement is death.
[TKW p.115]

qanchoHpa’ qoH ; Hegh qoH .
Fools die young.
[TKW p.117]

pung ghap HoS .
Mercy or power.
[TKW p.119]

mupwI’ yI’uchtaH .
Keep holding the hammer!
[TKW p.120]

bortaS nIvqu’ ’oH bortaS’e’ .
Revenge is the best revenge.
[TKW p.121]

reH Hegh yoHwI’pu’’e’ .
Always it is the brave ones who die.
[TKW p.123]

yInlu’taH ’e’ bajnISlu’ .
Survival must be earned.
[TKW p.125]

yay chavlu’ ’e’ bajnISlu’ .
Victory must be earned.
[TKW p.125]

qaStaHvIS wa’ ram loS SaD Hugh SIjlaH qetbogh loD .
Four thousand throats may be cut in one night by a running man.
[TKW p.127]

batlh Heghlu’chugh noDnISbe’ vay’ .
An honorable death requires no vengeance.
[TKW p.129]

cheqotlhchugh maHaghbe’’a’ .
cheDuQchugh mareghbe’’a’ .
cheQIHchugh manoDbe’’a’ .
Tickle us, do we not laugh?
Prick us, do we not bleed?
Wrong us, shall we not seek revenge?
[TKW p.131]

bortaS bIr jablu’DI’ reH QaQqu’ nay’ .
Revenge is a dish which is best served cold.
[TKW p.133]

potlhbe’chugh yay qatlh pe’’eghlu’ .
If winning is not important, then why keep score?
[TKW p.135]

wa’ SuvwI’ muHlu’DI’ ; tuHchoH Hoch SuvwI’pu’ .
The execution of but one warrior brings shame to all.
[TKW p.136]

qagh Sopbe’ .
He doesn’t eat gagh!
[TKW p.137]

wa’ SuvwI’ , batlhHa’ vangchugh ,
qoj matlhHa’chugh , pagh ghaH SuvwI’’e’ .
If a warrior ignores duty, acts dishonorably, or is disloyal, he is nothing.
[TKW p.139]

yIntaHbogh qagh jablu’DI’ reH nIvqu’ qagh .
Gagh is always best when served live.
[TKW p.141]

butlh ghajbogh nuv’e’ yIHo’ .
Admire the person with dirt under his fingernails.
[TKW p.142]

butlh DaHutlh .
You lack dirt under your fingernails.
[TKW p.142]

ram meqmey .
Motives are insignificant.
[TKW p.143]

HeghDI’ SuvwI’ nargh SuvwI’ qa’ .
When a warrior dies, his spirit escapes.
[TKW p.145]

narghbe’chugh SuvwI’ qa’ taH may’ .
If the warrior’s spirit has not escaped, the battle is still going on.
[TKW p.147]

pe’vIl mu’qaDmey tIbach .
Curse well!
[TKW p.148]

vay’ DaneHbogh yIchargh .
Conquer what you desire.
[TKW p.149]

nuHlIj DawIvpu’ ; vaj yISuv .
You have choosen your weapon, so fight!
[TKW p.151]

yIlop. wa’leS chaq maHegh .
Celebrate! Tomorrow we may die!
[TKW p.153]

vangDI’ tlhIngan SuvwI’ ngoy’ qorDu’Daj vangDI’ qorDu’Daj ngoy’ tlhIngan SuvwI’ .
The family of a Klingon warrior is responsible for his actions, and he is responsible for theirs.
[TKW p.155]

qaStaHvIS wej puq poHmey vav puqloDpu’ puqloDpu’chaj je quvHa’moH vav quvHa’ghach .
The dishonor of the father dishonors his sons and their sons for three generations.
[TKW p.155]

vay’ DalarghDI’ yIqaw .
Remember the scent.
[TKW p.157]

reH bang larghlu’ .
Love is always smelled.
[TKW p.159]

QotDI’ gheD tlhejbe’ wamwI’ .
The hunter does not lie down with the prey.
[TKW p.161]

Ha’DIbaH DaSop ’e’ DaHechbe’chugh yIHoHQo’ .
Do not kill an animal unless you intend to eat it.
[TKW p.163]

tlhIngan ngoQmey chavmeH HoH tlhInganpu’ .
Klingons kill for their own purposes.
[TKW p.165]

pIj monchugh vay’ yIvoqQo’ .
Don’t trust those who frequently smile.
[TKW p.167]

leghlaHchu’be’chugh mIn lo’laHbe’ taj jej .
A sharp knife is nothing without a sharp eye.
[TKW p.169]

reH DuSIgh vavlI’ .
Your father is a part of you always.
[TKW p.170]

ghIlab ghewmey tIbuSQo’ .
Pay no heed to glob flies.
[TKW p.171]

bIQongtaHvIS nItlhejchugh targhmey bIvemDI’ nItlhej ghIlab ghewmey .
If you sleep with targs, you’ll wake up with glob flies.
[TKW p.173]

bIrchugh qIvon tuj ’Iw .
If the qI­von is cold, the blood is hot.
[TKW p.174]

’oy’be’lu’chugh Qapbe’lu’ .
No pain, no gain.
[TKW p.175]

wa’ jaj ’etlh ’uchchoHlaH tlhIngan puqloD jajvetlh loD nen moj .
The son of a Klingon is a man the day he can first hold a blade.
[TKW p.177]

reH lugh charghwI’ .
The victor is always right.
[TKW p.179]

noH ghoblu’DI’ yay quv law’ Hoch quv puS .
In war, there is nothing more honorable than victory.
[TKW p.179]

qun qon charghwI’pu’’e’ .
History is written by the victors.
[TKW p.179]

HIq DaSammeH tach yI’el .
To find ale, go into a bar.
[TKW p.181]

HIvmeH Duj So’lu’ .
A ship cloaks in order to attack.
[TKW p.182]

maQapmeH maHIv .
In order to succeed, we attack.
[TKW p.183]

rut yIHmey ghom Hoch .
Everyone encounters tribbles occasionally.
[TKW p.184]

pIpyuS pach DaSop DaneHchugh pIpyuS puS DaghornIS .
If you want to eat pipius claw, you’ll have to break a few pipiuses.
[TKW p.185]

pIpyuS yIghor .
Break a pipius!
[TKW p.185]

yIvoq ’ach lojmItmey yISam .
Trust, but locate the doors.
[TKW p.186]

yIvoq ’ach yI’ol .
Trust, but verify.
[TKW p.186]

Qu’ DataghDI’ ’aqtu’ mellota’ je tIqaw .
When you begin a mission, remeber Aktuh and Melota.
[TKW p.187]

nobmey qembogh yIrIDnganpu’’e’ yIvoqQo’ .
Don’t trust Yridians who bring gifts.
[TKW p.189]

Huch nobHa’bogh verenganpu’’e’ yIvoqQo’ .
Don’t trust Ferengi who give back money.
[TKW p.189]

rura’ pente’Daq chuch ngevlaH ghaH .
He can sell ice on Rura Penthe.
[TKW p.190]

yIQeqQo’ neH. DoS yIqIp .
Don’t just aim; hit the target!
[TKW p.191]

Suvbe’chugh SuvwI’ tlhuHbe’ SuvwI’ .
If a warrior does not fight, he does not breathe.
[TKW p.193]

jach SuvwI’ ’e’ yIQoy .
Hear the warrior cry out!
[TKW p.195]

SeymoH QeH .
Anger excites.
[TKW p.196]

veqlarghlI’ yIbuS ’ej veqlarghwI’ vIbuS .
You pay attention to your Fek’lhr and I will pay attention to mine.
[TKW p.197]

ghojwI’pu’lI’ tISaH .
Care about your students.
[TKW p.199]

’avwI’ nejDI’ narghta’bogh qama’ reH ’avwI’ Sambej .
When an escaped prisoner looks for a guard, he always finds one.
[TKW p.200]

Dal pagh jagh .
No enemy is boring.
[TKW p.201]

DaHjaj SuvwI’’e’ jIH .
Today I am a warrior.
[TKW p.203]

tIqwIj Sa’angnIS .
I must show you my heart.
[TKW p.203]

’Iw bIQtIqDaq jIjaH .
I travel the river of blood.
[TKW p.203]

’oy’naQ Dalo’be’chugh not nenghep lop puq .
If you don’t use the painstik, the child will never celebrate his Age of Ascension.
[TKW p.205]

loD Quch jIHbe’ .
I am not a merry man.
[TKW p.206]

ghewmey tISuqQo’ .
Don’t catch any bugs.
[TKW p.207]

wa’ Dol nIvDaq matay’DI’ maQap .
We succeed together in a greater whole.
[TKW p.209]

noH QapmeH wo’ Qaw’lu’chugh yay chavbe’lu’ ’ej wo’ choqmeH may’ DoHlu’chugh lujbe’lu’ .
Destroying an empire to win a war is no victory, and ending a battle to save an empire is no defeat.
[TKW p.211]

QaghmeylIj tIchID ; yIyoH .
Have the courage to admit your mistakes.
[TKW p.212]

bIje’be’chugh vaj bIHegh .
Buy or die.
[TKW p.213]