This proverb suggests that it is better to take the initiative that to simply react to situations. Blood, the controller, does not need an external influence in order to heat up; one need not draw strength from the outside.

Perhaps because of increased association with the Federation, or perhaps simply as a result of the progression of time, the number of venues available to Klingons to act on their basic genetic need for battle and confrontation--- their boiling blood---has diminished. Whereas once Klingon warriors would use the slightest provocation as justification for a fight, today, more so than in the past, the strengths and skills of the warrior are often demonstrated ritualistically. Mock battle and tournaments are staged, such as the competition on Forcas III, in which Klingons prove their skills at wielding the bat'leth - {betleH}, the traditional sword.

As vital as musculature and weaponry are in winning battles or maintaining control, other qualities are equally if not more important. The unstated significance of this maxim is that intelligence and judgment play key roles in any confrontation.

When Worf learned that his father, who had been killed by Romulans in the Khitomer massacre, was later falsely accused of treason, he decided to exercise his responsibility as a son and appear before the Klingon High Council either to clear his father's name or to be punished for his crimes. According to Klingon custom, even though Worf was the one bringing the challenge, he was considered the accused since he would bear the punishment if the accusations against his father stood. During the course of the proceedings he was not permitted to participate in any fights himself, but instead was defended by an aide ("{cha'DIch}," literally, "second").

After Kurn, Worf's younger brother and first {cha'DIch}, was wounded, Worf asked Captain Picard to be his {cha'DIch}. Though, as Picard pointed out, stronger men were available, Worf preferred the captain, undoubtedly because of his shrewdness and loyalty. Such qualities are valued more than physical prowess alone.

Worf showed awareness of this aphorism when he explained to those in charge of space station Deep Space 9 that the accuracy of the Klingons' information that the Dominion was responsible for an uprising on the Cardassian homeworld was irrelevant. The Klingons were using it merely as a justification to go into battle. "There are many Klingons who say we have been at peace too long," he said. "Klingons are warriors, and warriors fight."

Perhaps Klingon General Chang was thinking of this expression as well when he told Kirk, "We need breathing room." Chang opposed the impending negotiations between the Empire and the Federation precisely because of the space it would bring.

While negotiation is not the Klingon's first choice of an approach to settling differences, it is not to be ruled out altogether. Worf himself has articulated the ideas embodied in both of these proverbs. Regarding the search for diplomatic solutions, he once remarked, "This is hopeless, fighting would be preferable." On the other hand, when talk is called for, one must not rely on words alone: "I prefer to negotiate eye to eye with my enemy."

These two maxims express the belief that fighting and winning define a Klingon's very being; everything else in life is secondary, if not superfluous. Unless they are engaged in battle or preparing for battle, Klingons become rather cantankerous (though, to those unfamiliar with Klingons, this might not be noticeable). As a result, Klingons are likely to, at the slightest provocation, instigate a battle of some sort.

Lieutenant Commander Worf is well aware of the Klingon predilection reflected in these two sayings. Though raised among humans, he has always prided himself on his knowledge of Klingon history and culture. He observed that a potentially dangerous situation involving the Dominion and the Cardassians, which the Klingons viewed as a threat, "has given my people an excuse to do what they were born to do: to fight and to conquer."

This sentence was from the first edition and was completely replaced in the second edition of the paq'batlh with the following:

HarghmeH yeq chaH
molor HI''a' luSuv
lughIjlu'be' 'ej pujHa' 'e' lu'aghmeH Suv