History Main / MightMakesRight

Of course, on the other hand, people are often more than happy to use it as long as they're the ones with the power, [[Hypocrisy but cry out when the same rule is applied to them]].

This very simple aphorism can be used by a character of virtually any level of intelligence. Usually they're explicitly evil, [[GoodIsNotNice usually]]. Bear in mind that anyone who espouses this belief will almost invariably be wrong- but usually the hero beats them by actually [[RightMakesMight somehow]] being stronger than they are so, well, the Aesop is [[BrokenAesop kind of broken]].

TruthInTelevision for the vast majority of human history, including today. Fortunately for those of us living in RealLife, people who espouse this philosophy are ''not'' always explicitly evil; in fact, the whole idea of [[KnightInShiningArmor Knights In Shining Armor]], True Warriors and "ComesGreatResponsibility" is to espouse and encourage the ''virtuous'' use of power. The truth is that "Might" is a weapon like any other: its effects depend on s/he who wields it. It ''is'' possible to use Might for good. ...It's just not as likely. It's also the least constructive of just about any of humanity's problem-solving tools, which is why people are generally encouraged to settle conflicts with something ''other'' than their fists. This is where the "violence is evil" underlying assumption comes from: someone who resorts to violence must be too stupid to use any of the more peaceful conflict-resolution tools. Or worse, are actively looking for any PretextForWar.

->''""Right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."''

->''""There is only power. Power is of the individual mind but the mind's power is not enough. Power of the body decides everything in the end and only might is right."''
-->-- '''TheOnceAndFutureKing'''

This very simple aphorism can be used by a character of virtually any level of intelligence. Usually they're explicitly evil [[hottip:*: [[GoodIsNotNice Usually]]. Bear in mind that anyone who espouses this belief will almost invariably be wrong- but usually the hero beats them by actually [[RightMakesMight somehow]] being stronger than they are so, well, the Aesop is [[BrokenAesop kind of broken]].

->''"Might controls everything, and without strength you cannot protect anything, let alone yourself."''
-->-- '''Vergil''', ''DevilMayCry''

* ScrewTheRulesIHaveANuke

This very simple aphorism can be used by a character of virtually any level of intelligence. Usually they're explicitly evil. Bear in mind that anyone who espouses this belief will almost invariably be wrong- but usually the hero beats them by actually [[RightMakesMight somehow]] being stronger than they are so, well, the Aesop is [[BrokenAesop kind of broken]].

->''"Foolishness, Dante. Foolishness. Might controls everything, and without power you cannot protect anything, let alone yourself."''

->''"'''[[PunctuatedForEmphasis Might. Controls. Everything.]]'''"''

TruthInTelevision for the vast majority of human history, including today. Unfortunately for those of us living in RealLife, people who espouse this philosophy are ''not'' always explicitly evil; in fact, the whole idea of [[KnightInShiningArmor Knights In Shining Armor]], True Warriors and "ComesGreatResponsibility" is to espouse and encourage the ''virtuous'' use of power. The truth is that "Might" is a weapon like any other: its effects depend on s/he who wields it. It ''is'' possible to use Might for good. ...It's just not as likely. It's also the least constructive of just about any of humanity's problem-solving tools, which is why people are generally encouraged to settle conflicts with something ''other'' than their fists. This is where the "violence is evil" underlying assumption comes from: someone who resorts to violence must be too stupid to use any of the more peaceful conflict-resolution tools. Or worse, are actively looking for any PretextForWar.

[index]

[/index]

[[quoteright: 211:[[Webcomic/SchlockMercenary http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/SchlockMightRight_4175.png]]]]

->''"'''[[ThisIsSPARTA Might. Controls. Everything.]]'''"''

* [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney Screw The Rules, I Have Money!]]
* [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveSupernaturalPowers Screw The Rules, I Have Supernatural Powers!]].
* [[ScrewTheRulesIMakeThem Screw The Rules, I Make Them!]]
* [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveANuke Screw The Rules, I Have A Nuke!]]
* SocialDarwinist

See also AppealToForce in YouFailLogicForever. TheHedonist, when they are a powerful character, will usually use this logic.

[[quoteright: 211:[[SchlockMercenary http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/SchlockMightRight_4175.png]]]]

[[quoteright:350:[[SchlockMercenary http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/schlock20050902_5027.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Hey, at least he's fair.]]

->''"The pope disapproves? How many divisions does he have?"''
-->-- '''JosefStalin'''

-->--'''JosefStalin'''

->For might makes right,
->And till they've seen the light,
->They've got to be protected,
->All their rights respected,
->'Till somebody we like can be elected.
->-- ''Send the Marines'', [[{{TomLehrer}} Tom Lehrer]]

See also the appeal to force section in YouFailLogicForever. TheHedonist, when they are a powerful character, will usually use this logic.

* {{Darwinist}}

-- ''Send the Marines'', [[{{TomLehrer}} Tom Lehrer]]

-- '''Send the Marines''', [[{{TomLehrer Tom Lehrer]]

->Listen, then, he said; I proclaim that justice is nothing else than the interest of the stronger.\\
-- '''Thrasymachus''', {{Plato}}'s ''Republic''

-> Political power flows out from the barrel of a gun. \\
-- '''Chairman Mao - "The Little Red Book" '''

[[SchlockMercenary http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/schlock20050902_5027.png]]
[[caption-width:410:Hey, at least he's fair.]]

->Listen, then, he said; I proclaim that justice is nothing else than the interest of the stronger.
-->-- '''Thrasymachus''', {{Plato}}'s ''Republic''

-> Political power flows out from the barrel of a gun.
-->-- '''Chairman Mao - "The Little Red Book" '''