"___ is more important than life" (Klingon proverb)

HONOR

["Here’s a helpful hint for your crossword clue:\n\n*\"In Klingon culture, this virtue is held above all else—even survival.\"*\n\nThis hint:\n- References the cultural context (Klingon values) without repeating the proverb.\n- Suggests the answer is a core principle or virtue.\n- Avoids giving away the answer directly while guiding the solver toward the idea of honor."]

The clue is a direct reference to a well-known Klingon proverb from the *Star Trek* universe, which states, *"Honor is more important than life."* The answer, **"HONOR,"** is explicitly mentioned in the proverb, making this a straightforward definition-based clue rather than one involving wordplay or puns. The cultural reference to Klingon philosophy—where honor is a central tenet—helps solvers familiar with *Star Trek* lore recognize the answer immediately. The blank in the clue signals that the missing word is the subject of the proverb, and "honor" fits perfectly both in meaning and context. In summary: The clue quotes a famous Klingon saying, and the answer is the word that completes it. No wordplay is involved—just knowledge of the proverb.