History Main / HonorbeforeReason

** Tadashi going back in the fire to save Callaghan, proclaiming "someone has to help". While it ''is'' a brave and noble thing to do, Tadashi does this on one person's word and doesn't consider it's a job better left to the firefighters, or his younger brother might follow him inside (and Hiro tries to do just that, only to be stopped because the fire explodes and propels him back). Later, it's revealed [[spoiler: Callaghan did survive]], making Tadashi's sacrifice all for nothing. [[spoiler:Callaghan points out Tadashi did something stupid, but phrasing it as "[[KickTheDog that was HIS mistake!]]" was not only a major dick move but [[BerserkButton pissed off Hiro]] to ''murderous'' levels.]] [[Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad That's not to say that he was wrong to jump in despite the danger.]] After all, this sense of righteousness is why so many people looked up to him, [[BigBrotherWorship especially Hiro]].

* [[TheLancer Daewi]] in ''Anime/TheGodOfHighSchool'' does this in his first real fight in the tournament when his opponent trips during an attack and he stops to offer him help to get back up (getting hit in the face by his [[BatterUp bat]] in the process), arguing that attacking him while he's down would be cowardly.

%%%

%%%
%% Image removed per Image Pickin' thread:https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1651344713088026000
%% Previous Thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1568495712015297500
%% Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread.

!!Example Subpages

!!Other Examples:

%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1329680163022160100
%% New IP thread did not produce a new image: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1568495712015297500

[[quoteright:342:[[Webcomic/ForLackOfABetterComic https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/GameOfKingsHbeforeR_227.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:342: [[http://forlackofabettercomic.com/?id=23 Honor is overrated.]]]]

An especially poignant situation is TurnTheOtherCheek. Often, and perhaps running counter to the theme of honor besting all, the hero has to be aided by BigDamnVillains, [[BadGuysDoTheDirtyWork who are able to cross that final line that their integrity would not allow]].

** A lot of Japanese monsters are like this. There's a particular woman ghost with a slit face who will approach you and ask you if she is pretty. Answering honestly will make her kill you out of anger. Lying about it will also make her kill you. However, one way to escape is by saying that you are terribly sorry, but you have an appointment that you must keep and do not have time to talk. [[JapanesePoliteness She will apologize for holding you up and let you go.]]

An especially poignant situation is TurnTheOtherCheek. Often, and perhaps running counter to the theme of honor besting all, the hero has to be aided by [[BadGuysDoTheDirtyWork Big Damn Villains, who are able to cross that final line that their integrity would not allow]].

ShootTheDog is this trope's opposite: Reason Before Honor. ''Usually'' not a trait of a CombatPragmatist due to their dirty approach to fighting often being seen as dishonorable.

Often features in IGaveMyWord, InItsHourOfNeed, RebelliousRebel. A trait of the ProudWarriorRaceGuy, especially if the culture is based on {{Samurai}} or [[TheSpartanWay Spartans]]. WhatYouAreInTheDark always reveals the same character as when they are seen. When a character does this to the point that it angers their more corrupt superiors, expect them to become TheLastDJ. {{The McCoy}} is the personification of this trope. MoreHeroThanThou disputes are sometimes this, when only one character is really suitable for the sacrifice. Can lead to the hero being prone to fall to things like the FalseInnocenceTrick. See also VictoriousLoser and SmallStepsHero.

%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1329680163022160100
%% New IP thread did not produce a new image: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1568495712015297500
%% Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread.

* Arguably, this is the tragic flaw of Brutus in ''Theatre/JuliusCaesar'' -- he doesn't want to accept that the people around him are not as idealistic and honorable as he is. Doing the honorable thing gets him in trouble when he spares Mark Antony and allows him to speak at Caesar's funeral, allowing Antony the chance to turn the opinion of the Roman public against Brutus with the famous "Friends, Romans, countrymen" speech.
* In ''Theatre/{{Camelot}}'', this is the fork Arthur finds himself caught on when Guinevere is caught with Lancelot. As Mordred says: "Let her die, your life is over; let her live, your life's a fraud. Which will it be -- kill the queen or kill the law?"
* Features prominently in Victor Hugo's play ''Hernani'' and its opera adaptation, ''Ernani''--a rather extreme case of IGaveMyWord.
* ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}'' : Duels in general, but especially the three that happen onstage during ''Hamilton'' are one hundred percent unreasonable. No one actually thinks they're a good idea, but everyone has to do them. TruthInTelevision, at least for that time.
* This is the central theme of ''Theatre/AManForAllSeasons'' - Thomas More could easily save himself, but that would come at the cost of his integrity, something he is not willing to give.

* Played straight and then deconstructed in Verdi's opera ''Theatre/LaForzaDelDestino''. Don Carlo di Vargas at first refuses to open the potentially dying Don Alvaro's secret letters despite having a reasonable suspicion that Alvaro is the man who seduced his sister and killed his father because he had sworn not to... but then realises that he technically didn't give his word that he wouldn't look at a ''portrait'' (without a seal) that he finds amongst Alvaro's things.
* In Borodin's opera ''Theatre/PrinceIgor'' (although not the epic poem upon which it is based), Igor first reacts with anger when Ovlur suggests that he flee his captivity in Khan Konchak's camp because as a Prince it would dishonour him to do so, and then refuses to exchange his word that he won't attack Konchak for his freedom because he doesn't want to then go back on his word. However, this ''does'' mean that Konchak comes to view him as even more of a WorthyOpponent than he already did.

* In Soryu Oh's route of ''VisualNovel/KissedByTheBaddestBidder'', Soryu is set for an ArrangedMarriage to the daughter of a [[TheTriadsAndTheTongs Triad]] boss - a marriage which would consolidate their two gangs into a powerful organization which he would be next in line to take over - but declines at the last minute. In doing so, he offends the girl's father and causes him to lose face to the point that the only way for Soryu's gang to smooth things over is to hand Soryu over to be executed. As Soryu is no doubt fully aware of the likely consequences of his decision, his chosen course of action benefits ''absolutely no one'', but he is willing to be executed rather than marry a woman he doesn't love and who doesn't love him when he knows that what he really wants is to be with the protagonist.
* Saber in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' and ''LightNovel/FateZero'' has a pretty bad case of this. She ''knows'' her decisions are going to screw her over yet feels bound by her honor and rules of fair play. As an example in FSN, she charges the temple single-handed after everyone agrees it's suicide to do so, is commanded ''not'' to go and is perfectly aware that at best she will be severely wounded. In FZ, she lets Lancer go assuming that he's going to kill her Master Kiritsugu and therefore remove her from the war. Why? One, she doesn't like Kiritsugu and two, Lancer just helped her out. He only lives because Lancer [[WorthyOpponent lives by the same rules]]. Naturally, in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', she ends up the Servant of another person who epitomizes this trope, Shirou.
* Watase Kasasagi in ''VisualNovel/RootDoubleBeforeCrimeAfterDays'' constantly follows this after getting amnesia. Prior to getting it, he's described as assessing every dangerous situation and acting accordingly, which is why his complete 180 baffles his rescue squad co-workers. This leads to plenty of bad ends...half of the time. However, plenty of bad ends have him ''still'' apply this shortly after making rational decisions because of his inability to not follow this, with most of the other ones being that the universe is out to get him for using his brain.

* In ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'', Sarge refuses to use sniper rifles and other long-distance weapons other than regular guns, as he believes the only way to kill someone is up close and personal. He admits that he has no problem with using a nuke on an enemy because of RuleOfCool.

Compare/contrast with IncorruptiblePurePureness, GoodIsOldFashioned, TheFettered, MartyrdomCulture, RevengeBeforeReason, and NobleDemon (the EvilCounterpart). Contrast CombatPragmatist, NoNonsenseNemesis, and BlindObedience.

* In UsefulNotes/{{Cricket}}, a batsman who feels he is honestly out may ''walk'', returning to the pavilion regadless of the umpire's decision. Though rare, especially at a professional level, it is not unknown. Witness [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXYbWIi8u7E Adam Gilchrist in the 2003 World Cup semi-final]]

** Tadashi going back in the fire to save Callaghan, proclaiming "someone has to help". While it it ''is'' a brave and noble thing to do, Tadashi does this on one person's word and doesn't consider it's a job better left to the firefighters, or his younger brother might follow him inside (and Hiro tries to do just that, only to be stopped because the fire explodes and propels him back). Later, it's revealed [[spoiler: Callaghan did survive]], making Tadashi's sacrifice all for nothing. [[spoiler:Callaghan points out Tadashi did something stupid, but phrasing it as "[[KickTheDog that was HIS mistake!]]" was not only a major dick move but [[BerserkButton pissed off Hiro]] to ''murderous'' levels.]] [[Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad That's not to say that he was wrong to jump in despite the danger.]] After all, this sense of righteousness is why so many people looked up to him, [[BigBrotherWorship especially Hiro]].

* In UsefulNotes/{{Cricket}}, a batsman who feels he is honestly out may ''walk'', returning to the pavilion regadless of the umpire's decision. Though rare, especially at professional level, it is not unknown. Witness [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXYbWIi8u7E Adam Gilchrist in the 2003 World Cup semi-final]]

* Saber in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' and ''LightNovel/FateZero'' has a pretty bad case of this. She ''knows'' her decisions are going to screw her over yet feels bound by her honor and rules of fair play. As an example in FSN, she charges the temple single handed after everyone agrees it's suicide to do so, is commanded ''not'' to go and is perfectly aware that at best she will be severely wounded. In FZ, she lets Lancer go assuming that he's going to kill her Master Kiritsugu and therefore remove her from the war. Why? One, she doesn't like Kiritsugu and two, Lancer just helped her out. He only lives because Lancer [[WorthyOpponent lives by the same rules]]. Naturally, in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', she ends up the Servant of another person who epitomizes this trope, Shirou.

* In ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'', Sarge refuses to use sniper rifles and other long distance weapons other than regular guns, as he believes the only way to kill someone is up close and personal. He admits that he has no problem with using a nuke on an enemy because of RuleOfCool.

Often features in IGaveMyWord, InItsHourOfNeed, RebelliousRebel; the ProudWarriorRaceGuy typically follows the rule, as well. WhatYouAreInTheDark always reveals the same character as when they are seen. When a character does this to the point that it angers their more corrupt superiors, expect them to become TheLastDJ. {{The McCoy}} is the personification of this trope. MoreHeroThanThou disputes are sometimes this, when only one character is really suitable for the sacrifice. Can lead to the hero being prone to fall to things like the FalseInnocenceTrick. See also VictoriousLoser and SmallStepsHero.

** The AEsir not killing Fenrisulfr and Jormungandr when they were small. Then again, the Norse did love their inevitable doom as thematic material...

** Weird variant with Loki, not particularly known for his sense of honor, who in two different myths is caught and coerced by a giant (Thiazi in one, Geirrod in the other) into promising to lure someone into a trap (Idunn and Thor, respectively). Afterward he goes ahead with it even when he's out of actual danger and it's sure to get the other Æsir angry with him. Blog/MythsRetold speculated that Geirrod had compromising pictures.

** The Æsir not killing Fenrisulfr and Jörmungandr when they were small. Then again, the Norse did love their inevitable doom as thematic material...

** Tadashi going back in the fire to save Callaghan, proclaiming "someone has to help". While it it ''is'' a brave and noble thing to do, Tadashi does this on one person's word and doesn't consider it's a job better left to the firefighters, or his younger brother might follow him inside (and Hiro tries to do just that, only to be stopped because the fire explodes and propels him back). Later, it's revealed [[spoiler: Callaghan did survive]], making Tadashi's sacrifice all for nothing. [[spoiler:Callaghan points out Tadashi did something stupid, but phrasing it as "[[KickTheDog that was HIS mistake!]]" was not only a major dick move but [[BerserkButton pissed off Hiro]] to ''murderous'' levels.]] [[Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad That's not to say what he was wrong to jump in despite the danger.]] After all, this sense of righteousness is why so many people looked up to him, [[BigBrotherWorship especially Hiro]].

** Tadashi going back in the fire to save Callaghan, proclaiming "someone has to help". While it it ''is'' a brave and noble thing to do, Tadashi does this on one person's word and doesn't consider it's a job better left to the firefighters, or his younger brother might follow him inside (and Hiro tries to do just that, only to be stopped because the fire explodes and propels him back). Later, it's revealed [[spoiler: Callaghan did survive]], making Tadashi's sacrifice all for nothing. [[spoiler:Callaghan points out Tadashi did something stupid, but phrasing it as "[[KickTheDog that was HIS mistake!]]" was not only a major dick move but [[BerserkButton pissed off Hiro]] to ''murderous'' levels.]] [[TropesAreNotBad That's not to say what he was wrong to jump in despite the danger.]] After all, this sense of righteousness is why so many people looked up to him, [[BigBrotherWorship especially Hiro]].

** Tadashi going back in the fire to save Callaghan, proclaiming "someone has to help". While it it ''is'' a brave and noble thing to do, Tadashi does this on one person's word and doesn't consider it's a job better left to the firefighters, or his younger brother might follow him inside (and Hiro tries to do just that, only to be stopped because the fire explodes and propels him back). Later, it's revealed [[spoiler: Callaghan did survive]], making Tadashi's sacrifice all for nothing. [[spoiler:Callaghan points out Tadashi did something stupid, but phrasing it as "[[KickTheDog that was HIS mistake!]]" was not only a major dick move but [[BerserkButton pissed off Hiro]] to ''murderous'' levels.]]

** In all the Myth/KingArthur stories, Arthur is just LawfulStupid. Now there is a good reason why he doesn't just ignore the law, because he is trying to get this new concept of "Rule of Law" to be adopted. But HonorBeforeReason is at work here, as he could just pardon Guinevere and Lancelot, as he is the king. And should he actually use some compassion, he could then get the law amended so future cases of adultery don't involve the death penalty.

LetsPlay/{{Pwnage}}: Kyle lampshades this in their ''VideoGame/TotallyAccurateBattleSimulator'' Gameplay when the last soldier of the army Kyle is fighting runs to his army alone.

* HonorBeforeReason/VisualNovels

* HonorBeforeReason/WebOriginal

[[folder:Sports]]
* In UsefulNotes/{{Cricket}}, a batsman who feels he is honestly out may ''walk'', returning to the pavilion regadless of the umpire's decision. Though rare, especially at professional level, it is not unknown. Witness [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXYbWIi8u7E Adam Gilchrist in the 2003 World Cup semi-final]]

!!Examples

* HonorBeforeReason/{{Film}}

* HonorBeforeReason/MythologyAndReligion
* HonorBeforeReason/ProfessionalWrestling

* HonorBeforeReason/{{Theatre}}

* HonorBeforeReason/{{Webcomics}}

!!Other Examples

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* ''Fanfic/CodeGeassPaladinsOfVoltron'': Something Suzaku held over from the [[Anime/CodeGeass main series]], and part of the reason he's the pilot of the Purple Lion.
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/10129274/chapters/22767356#workskin Back From the Future]]'':
** Yoda suffers a near fatal heart attack, only surviving because Luke arrived in time to heal him. While believing Mace Windu was the one to heal him[[note]]only one of Yoda's former padawan could and Mace is the only one still alive and not a Sith[[/note]], Yoda's very first thoughts are how he plans to scold Mace for having an attachment to him. At no point does Yoda even consider being grateful that he's still alive.
** Shaak-ti follows protocol so rigidly that even being shown that the Clone Troopers have chips in their heads that can force them to attack fellow Jedi won't make her act on her own. She continues to insist they bring the matter to the Jedi Council first, even while Plo Koon (having given up trying to convince her) aided Luke in removing the chips from the clones.
** In a later chapter [[TechnicalPacifist Duchess Satine]] is outraged when she thinks Obi-wan (actually Luke) is using a lightsaber to fight off people trying to assassinate her. Even the idea of someone bringing a lethal weapon to her planet infuriates her. Satine only relents when she realizes Luke was using a stun staff.
* The version of William Laurence leading the ''Literature/{{Temeraire}}'' fanfic ''Fanfic/BlackWingsBlackSails'' is majorly [[TheUnfettered Unfettered]] as a result of several events in the backstory souring the guy to the whole concept of duty to king and country that he takes so seriously in canon. Still, when Laurence is ordered by the Tswana to attack Capetown, he waits outside the town for a whole week before attacking, allowing an entire family of Africans to be burned alive by slavers simply because he wants to give the ''Allegiance'' (and subsequently Temeraire) time to leave before he attacks the town, unaware that the ''Allegiance'' was waiting for Laurence to attack first so it could take him down for good. Like his canon counterpart's many attempts at this, it blows up in his face, placing him in disgrace with the Tswana, and then the Tswana takes the ''Allegiance'' prisoner anyways.
* ''Fanfic/BloodAndHonor'': As a light side Force user in the Empire, Sanguis occasionally catches flack for this from her fellow Sith. She keeps her word, refuses to turn on her superiors and never seeks personal glory. She also refuses to force herself on Quinn - when he rejects her advances, she respects his wishes.
* ''FanFic/ABrighterDark'': Ryoma chooses to accept Xander's request to single combat, despite out-numbering and out-gunning the Nohrian army. His ninja retainers are able to mitigate the damage but if they hadn't, Nohr's conquest would have been a ''lot'' shorter.
* Samurai in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11803928/2/ Challenger]]'' considers using [[ElementalRockPaperScissors Super Effective]] moves in Pokemon battles to be dishonorable. Naturally he loses quickly when Ash's Sandile uses [[PlayingWithFire Fire Fang]] against his [[BigCreepyCrawlies Pinsir]]. Though, given that Samurai also blamed the Sandile for attacking him when he drew a sword on Ash, it's likely he's just being a {{Scrub}}.
* In ''Fanfic/DeadOrAlive4TheDevilFactor'', during their battle, Dante manages to steal Hayate's sword, but returns it to him after a few exchanges. Later, when Dante's gun Ebony is at Hayate's feet, he asks Hayate to return it, citing how he earlier returned his sword. Despite Jann Lee begging Hayate not to, he returns it, though he does try to attack Dante while he's distracted picking up the gun.
* Several characters note during the Chunin Exam prelims in ''Fanfic/DestinyIsAHazyThing'' that some of the genin have this problem when they refuse to forfeit their match despite being clearly out of their league.
* Lampshaded by T'Challa in ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/9681983/chapters/23726166#workskin Enough Rope]]'' that by promising to sanctuary to Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes without adding any extra stipulations, he's required by the panther spirit that gives him his powers to honor his promise unless they attack him or someone else under his protection.
* ''Fanfic/FateParallelFantasia'': Rin says that battles between magi should be fought only using magic, so she refuses an offered gun even after it is pointed out most magi don't know how to defend themselves against them.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12662796/10/The-Fourth-Council-Race The Fourth Council Race]]'', the governments of the Systems Alliance continue playing political games while Shanxi is under attack from the turians. The Chinese refuse to let anyone else reinforce the forces on Shanxi as it's a Chinese colony and they don't want "interference from western imperialists" while the United States won't spend the political capital to force the issue because they're certain China will fail so waiting will make the US look better and one of their main rivals look worse.
** Once the Systems Alliance wins the space battle above Shanxi, the leader of the turian ground forces tries to continue fighting regardless, insisting she will not be responsible for the turians' first defeat in over a thousand years. Upon realizing it, her second in command genuinely regrets that (unlike humanity) the turians have no latitude towards bad orders or officers placing themselves above their soldiers, leaving him unable to relieve her of command.
* ''Fanfic/FrankieRules'': Despite any past crimes, any imaginary friend that come to Foster's is welcome.
* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13238312/23/The-Last-Prayer The Last Prayer]]'': After Zabuza loses his sword to Naruto in a bet, he eventually returns to reclaim it. Even though Naruto is perfectly happy to let the man simply have the blade, citing that he doesn't have the skills to wield it, Zabuza's code of honor insists he win it back fairly.
* ''Fanfic/TheLunarRebellion'':
** This appears to be something of a recurring flaw for the pegasi, who value their martial and ethical honor so highly that they will always choose what they perceive as the more honorable path in a given matter, even if their other, less honorable options were objectively smarter, less costly or otherwise more expedient. It’s mentioned at one point that their tradition of never surrendering their city to outsiders and fighting to the last has resulted in a long history of needless {{Last Stand}}s that got a lot of ponies killed for the sake of pride.
** This is specifically something of an issue with Shadow herself. A good example would be how, when seeking allies against Duke Polaris (a self-centered noble who had been given full command of the armed forces despite being highly unqualified for the role), she persistently refused to ally with Sunbeam Sparkle, whom she saw as distasteful and dishonorable, despite it being her only realistic choice for gaining useful allies, with the avenues she pursued instead gaining her little beyond lost time that allowed Polaris to cement his position.
* In ''FanFic/OriginStory'', several of the Avengers chew out [[BadassNormal Black Widow]] for "letting [Alex Harris] go" despite Alex having beaten Ms. Marvel, Iron Man, and Wonder Man quite easily. Combining this with the fact that Alex shrugs off Hulkbuster bullets, Natasha [[DeadpanSnarker asks if they expected her to beat Alex by breaking some of her bones on the girl]].
* Examples from ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'', in regards to the use of certain bloodliner abilities:
** Heart Bloodliners are able to [[MindManipulation Mind Control]] any Pokémon at least partially their type, but from the Pokémon's perspective, [[AndIMustScream this isn't a pleasant experience]]. Iris always knew she could do it but refused to use it in her family of Dragon types, and after learning from her Goldeen how it felt, Misty also refuses to use it ever again, even when it would give her an advantage.
** Zigzagged in Ash's case, who refuses to use his [[SuperEmpowering ability to give Pokémon temporary power boosts]] in competitive battles [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen because he considers it cheating]] and doesn't want his Pokémon to depend on it so they can grow strong on their own. However, he's willing to use it if it's to fight a villain or to help someone in need.
* ''Fanfic/PrincessOfTheBlacks'':
** Despite completing the first task the fastest ''and'' being one of the only ones to do so without injury, Leroux only ties for second place because he "didn't follow the spirit of the challenge" by simply using a summoning charm on the golden egg.
** Averted when Jen specifically tells Fudge that she was kidnapped by "someone ''claiming'' to be Voldemort" because it'd be easier for him to buy that a pretender was trying to restart the war than Voldemort returning to life.
*** Played straight with Dumbledore who hates that Jen didn't insist it was Voldemort, claiming that "a little discomfort or ridicule now" would be worth people being ready.
** One of Danny's grievances against Jen was that she "cowardly cursed him in the back instead of attacking honorably" during one of the tasks of the Triwizard Tournament. Later during the final task, he accuses her of cheating for attacking him while he's distracted.
*** Several other Light wizards have shown contempt for attacking someone with their back turned.
** Averted with Scrimgeour when he hears Jen apparated without a license during her fight with Voldemort. He understands that in a situation like that, pretty much every rule goes out the window.
* Subverted in ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/20060671/chapters/47509345 Reflex]]''. Upon being offered One For All, Izuku initially considers refusing as he wanted to become a hero using his own [[SuperReflexes Quirk]] and be an inspiration for underdogs without powerful Quirks. After a conversation with Aizawa where the Pro-Hero admits there'll always be people he fails to save but he comforts himself with the knowledge he did all he could, Izuku decides turning down such an advantage for his own pride is foolish and accepts One For All.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7892592/1/Sekirei-Guardian-of-the-North Sekirei: Guardian of the North]]'', Minato refuses to use the MBI cards with no spending limit because of how much he hates MBI. Likewise, he won't let the girls do any chores or get jobs to help out because it's his job to support them all. This leaves Minato trying to support several women and himself on just his wages as a construction worker.
* ''Fanfic/ServantsOfRemnant'': Bedivere refuses to steal or work with criminals even though he and Euryale don't have any money and can't get regular jobs because they are trying to stay hidden. Euryale shrugs and gets a job working for the shady club owner Junior.
* In ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/12535736 Shall Never Kill No Matter What]]'', Batman refuses to kill the Joker even when he knows an innocent child will die in front of him if he doesn't. Afterwards, Superman reassures him that he did the right thing. Green Arrow chews them both out for "enabling psychotic killers" rather than putting aside their moral codes for once. Batman outright accuses Green Arrow of murder, saying he killed people who'd never have a chance to redeem themselves.
* In one of the many [[FandomSpecificPlot Slytherin Harry]] stories, Harry retrieves his egg by using illusions and a disillusionment charm to sneak past the hydra guarding it. Dumbledore gives him a two because Harry's method wasn't "brave or noble."
* Played straight and subverted at different points in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9421918/6/ Soldier of Zero]]''. Played straight when Prince Wales wishes to martyr himself and die alongside his men even after Saito tries to convince him that it's far more important that he live. Subverted when Saito sneaks into the Reconquista camp by [[MuggedForDisguise stealing someone's uniform]] and is leery of killing a soldier of the right size as the man is currently having sex, but decides to anyway as war is no place for such things. He also prevents Wales' death and brings him back to Princess Henrietta alive, though injured. Apparently, Wales tried to throw Saito out a window for it afterward.
* ''FanFic/ATeachersGlory''
** Kin refuses to wear her deceased teammate's clothes, despite having been stripped naked and left to fend for herself in the forest of death. Also, Sasuke finds himself obliged to take Ino on a date because [[IGaveMyWord he said he would]], no matter how easily he could duck out of it, because the Uchiha Head keeps his promises.
** Team 7 decides that this does not apply in the Chunin exams when Naruto gets injured. Rather than give him what treatment they can scrape up while looking for a scroll, they know that the exams are not a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and opt to get him professional medical attention even at the cost of failing.
* Choji in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9948266/1/Team-7-s-Ascension-Blood-Wings Team 7's Ascension: Blood Wings]]'' holds very firmly to his policy of ThouShaltNotKill during the Chunin Exams after he (accidentally) kills an enemy, while the other members of the Konoha 12 hold to the declared "No Survivors" policy as there's several alliances bigger than their own. This comes back to bite him when an enemy he knocked out gets back up, kills Akamaru, severs Shino's arm, and leaves Ino temporarily crippled. Ino later gives him a WhatTheHellHero for sparing an enemy at the expense of his comrades.
* ''Fanfic/TwiceUponAnAge'': Some of Victoria's more compassionate judgments are viewed this way in ''All This Sh*t is Twice as Weird''. It eventually reaches a point where it's questioned whether she should be allowed to continue to sit in judgment.
* In ''Fanfic/TheVampireOfSteel'' [[BigBad Zol-Am]]'s demon army is about to overwhelm Supergirl, Buffy and the Scooby Gang when Kara demands a personal duel with Zol-Am. Zol-Am accepts because it's Kryptonian law, and he even incinerates one of his soldiers when he tries to interfere.
* In ''Fanfic/YuGiOhTheThousandYearDoor'', there's a situation similar to the one mention in the anime section. Maria demands a duel against Francesca by using the whole town of Keelhaul Key as a hostage. Maria cheats during most of the duel, using an enchanted eyepatch to view Francesca hand, until her mother appears in a hologram of her true, intimidating form of [[EvilSorcerer the Shadow Queen]] (the first time the protagonists have seen her as such) to disqualify her and scold her for the action. (While Fran's defeat is essential to her plans, cheating isn't allowed due to magical constraints.) However, Fran interrupts, saying she'll forgive the offense and let the duel continue if Maria simply stops doing so. This, despite the [[DeadlyGame terms of the contest]] that she and the others were pretty much conned into accepting. Both Maria and Queen think she's a fool, but the duel does continue and she wins anyway. (In the rebooted version, Fran presses her luck further, sympathizing with Maria and telling the Queen - to her face, with witnesses - [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech that the biggest reason she turned out bad was because she had bad parents]]. Maria and her other siblings seem to take this to heart later.)

[[folder:Sport]]
* In UsefulNotes/{{Cricket}}, a batsman who feels he is honestly out may ''walk'', returning to the pavilion regadless of the umpire's decision. Though rare, especially at professional level, it is not unknown. Witness [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXYbWIi8u7E Adam Gilchrist in the 2003 World Cup semi-final]]