This Klingon truism is heard, in one form or another, again and again and probably dates back to ancient times, when warfare was carried out not in space vessels, but on fields where only the most indispensable supplies could be carried. Not only are consideration such as comfort, ease, and enjoyment not part of the Klingon way of thinking, to find them even desirable might be considered a sign of weakness. Thus, Worf explained to Riker, "I am not concerned with pleasure.... I am a warrior." The Klingon emissary K'Ehleyr, who was half-human and half-Klingon and therefore tended to view much of Klingon culture from a unique perspective, noted that "Klingons are not supposed to mind hardship."

On the other hand, it is assumed that non-Klingons do not share this sentiment. When showing Picard and Data their slablike beds on his ship, Klingon Captain K'Vada said, "You'll sleep Klingon style. We don't soften our bodies by putting down a pad." Though Klingon ships certainly could be designed to include various amenities, there is never any thought given to doing so. As Klingon Captain Koloth told Captain Kirk, "We do not equip our ships with ... nonessentials."