Speech of Victory

The Speech of Victory was a Klingon rite available when one warrior recognizes the other as a defeated enemy. As part of the rite, the defeated must acknowledge the victor's success in the battle. After which, the victor cannot deny the other warriors right to a death with honor. Once spoken, it cannot be retracted.

After Worf defeated Malach at Deep Space 9, he envoked the Speech of Victory where he explained why he had placed precedence on his oath to Starfleet over the Klingon Empire. (DS9 novel: Vengeance)