I'd probably go with something like:

bInIv 'e' chIDbe'chugh jagh Dajeyta'bogh, bIQapchu'ta'be'.

---

From: tlhIngan-Hol <tlhingan-hol-bounces@lists.kli.org> on behalf of James Landau via tlhIngan-Hol <tlhingan-hol@lists.kli.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 27, 2024 12:40:18 AM
To: tlhingan-hol@lists.kli.org
Cc: James Landau
Subject: [tlhIngan Hol] Claudian quote

 

Today I came across this quote by the Roman emperor Claudian:

"It is no victory unless the vanquished foe admits your mastery."

Sounds very Klingon-y. Who can make the best translation into tlhIngan Hol?

Too specific. And mastery is more than just being superior. There is also a connection between the word chargh and the translation victor.

bIcharghpu'be' bIghatlh 'e' chIDbe'chugh jagh Dajeypu'bogh.
You have not conquered if the enemy you have defeated does not admit that you dominate.

As with most translations of pithy English phrases, the Klingon isn't as pithy, and I don't see a way to shorten this and keep all the parts.

-- 
SuStel
http://trimboli.name