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.