History Main / MightMakesRight

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority

* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking

"I am stronger than you, therefore, I make all the rules." This very simple aphorism can be used by a character of virtually any level of intelligence. Whether it's the thug with a club or a super genius with a kill sat, it is the same. Their power justifies whatever it is they do.

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[[quoteright:211:[[Webcomic/SchlockMercenary https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/SchlockMightRight_4175.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:211:Hey, at least he's fair.]]

TruthInTelevision for the vast majority of human history, including today. Fortunately for those of us living in RealLife, 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 who wields it. It ''is'' possible to use might for good. Unfortunately this still often puts those who are weaker at the mercy of those with power, who can only ''hope'' that they use it justly.

TruthInTelevision for the vast majority of human history, including today. Fortunately for those of us living in RealLife, 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.

War, however, is extremely expensive, both in terms of actual money and in terms of human lives, and tends to leave both sides the poorer for it, which is why people are generally encouraged to settle conflicts with something ''other'' than their fists.[[note]]This applies to one-on-one fights as well, which is why most species, including humans, have developed elaborate threat displays and mock-fights. It's a lot better for both sides for one to realize they're outclassed and back down, than it is for both to keep at it until [[PyrrhicVictory one winds up dead, and the other probably maimed]].[[/note]] 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. People and countries are often more than happy to use it as long as they're the ones with the power, [[MoralMyopia but complain when it is applied to them]].

See also AppealToForce in LogicalFallacies. TheHedonist, when they are a powerful character, will usually use this logic. Related is MutuallyAssuredDestruction, when both sides are so powerful that peace is maintained precisely because both sides are too mighty to fight without destroying everything they were fighting for.

War, however, is extremely expensive, both in terms of actual money and in terms of human lives, and tends to leave both sides the poorer for it, which is why people are generally encouraged to settle conflicts with something ''other'' than their fists.[[note]]This applies to one-on-one fights as well, which is why most species, including humans, have developed elaborate threat displays and mock-fights. It's a lot better for both sides for one to realize they're outclassed and back down, than it is for both to keep at it until [[PyrrhicVictory one winds up dead, and the other probably maimed]].[[/note]] 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. People and countries are often more than happy to use it as long as they're the ones with the power, but complain when it is applied to them.

* VirtueIsAWeakness

Remember that physical strength is not necessarily the determinant here. Monetary wealth, political power, and just about any form of bullying can take the place of this. (Not that any professed adherent to this will necessarily admit it; the bully who uses physical strength may regard an ambush or other clever plan as ''cheating.'')

War, however, is extremely expensive, both in terms of actual money and in terms of human lives, and tends to leave both sides the poorer for it, 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. People and countries are often more than happy to use it as long as they're the ones with the power, but complain when it is applied to them.

* RightMakesMight: Good always triumphs!

See also AppealToForce in LogicalFallacies. TheHedonist, when they are a powerful character, will usually use this logic. Related is MutuallyAssuredDestruction, when both sides are so powerful that peace is maintained precisely because both sides are too mighty to fight without destroying everything they were fighting for.
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<<|AuthorityTropes|>>

->''The tragedy of Earth is not that so many died. Death is an inevitable part of life. The tragedy is that so many died as victims. When the crisis came, they were helpless, unable to use their deaths to buy anything of value. Millions of otherwise intelligent people had been tricked into ignoring a fundamental truth: that no man has any rights if he is unable to personally defend them.''

->''The [[EarthThatWas tragedy of Earth]] [[LackOfEmpathy is not that so many died]]. Death is an inevitable part of life. The tragedy is that so many died as victims. When the crisis came, they were helpless, unable to use their deaths to buy anything of value. Millions of otherwise intelligent people had been tricked into ignoring a fundamental truth: that no man has any rights if he is unable to personally defend them.''

->''"Might controls everything."''
-->-- '''Vergil''' to Dante, ''DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening''

->''"Good and evil are just words. Power always wins."''
-->-- '''Dracula''', to Trevor Belmont, ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaJudgment''

"I am stronger than you, therefore, I make all the rules."

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 the hero usually beats them by [[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.

War, however, is extremely expensive, both in terms of actual money and in terms of human lives, and tends to leave both sides the poorer for it, 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.

Of course, people and countries are often more than happy to use it as long as they're the ones with the power, but complain when it is applied to them.

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.

->''"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."''
-->-- '''Creator/{{Thucydides}}''', the ''Melian Dialogue''

Remember that physical strength is not necessarily the determinant here. Monetary wealth, political power, and just about any form of bullying can take the place of this.

-->-- '''[[UrExample Thucydides]]''', the ''Melian Dialogue''

See also AppealToForce in LogicalFallacies. TheHedonist, when they are a powerful character, will usually use this logic. Related is MutuallyAssuredDestruction, when both sides are so powerful that peace is maintained precisely because both sides are too mighty to fight.

MutuallyAssuredDestruction is when this trope is used to ensure peace, because everyone involved is so powerful that any "war" could not be won in any real sense of the word, because the cost would always outweigh any possible benefit.

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