History Main / TheBeCarefulSpeech

* In Felix Salten's ''Bambi'', Bambi's mother warns him that "walking on the meadow is not so simple. It's a difficult and dangerous business." She instructs him to run if he sees her run, or "...even if something should happen...even if (you) should see me fall to the ground..." [[spoiler: Which of course, eventually, he does.]]
* In "Aladdin, or the Wonderful Lamp", from ''The 1001 Arabian Nights'', the wicked magician cautions Aladdin not to touch the walls of the enchanted cave he is about to enter, or he will die.
* In Lewis Carroll's ''Jabberwocky'', the hero's father warns,"Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch. Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun the frumious Bandersnatch!"
* Lampshaded in Elizabeth Enright's ''The Saturdays'', in which the Melendy children correctly predict what their father and housekeeper will caution them to do and not to do when they go into New York City independently.
* In Erle Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason novels, Della Street (his secretary), Paul Drake (his private investigator), and Lt. Tragg (a homicide detective), all often advise him to be careful to avoid arrest or disbarment. [[spoiler: He listens about as often as the Doctor does.]]
* In ''Sensible Kate'' by Doris Gates, Vic and the other fisherman warn Vic's brother, Leo, not to go out fishing during a storm. [[spoiler: Leo doesn't listen, and never comes back.]]

* Sally tells Lightning McQueen this when he's about to compete in a race.

* The TropeNamer is the ''WhiteCollar'' episode "Power Play". Neal and Peter have to switch identities, meaning Peter is the one who has to pull off a heist while working undercover for the VillainOfTheWeek.

* In Robert Heinlein's ''Starship Troopers'', one of Johnny's superiors warns him that he'd better not be trying to earn any medals as he goes into combat.

* Sergeant Phil Esterhaus in ''Hill Street Blues'' was famous for ending each briefing to the officers with these words: "Let's be careful out there."
* In the ''Numb3rs'' episode "Uncertainty Principle", Charlie gives one of these to Don, when he's about to go after armed bank robbers.

* Sergeant Phil Esterhaus in ''Hill Street Blues'' was famous for ending each briefing to the officers: "Let's be careful out there."

[[Religion and Mythology]]

* In '"Aladdin, or the Wonderful Lamp", from ''The 1001 Arabian Nights'', the wicked magician cautions Aladdin not to touch the walls of the enchanted cave he is about to enter, or he will die.

* "Billy, Don't Be a Hero." The title says it all.

* In ''Numb3rs'', Charlie gives one of these to Don, when he's about to go after armed bank robbers.

* In Robert Heinlein's ''Starship Troopers'', one of Johnny's superiors warns him that he'd better not be trying to earn any medals out there.

[[folder:Music]]
* "Billy, Don't Be a Hero." The title says it all.

* The [[Series/{{Doctor Who}} Doctor]] gives his companions (and just about everyone else he meets) this speech all the time. The companions also frequently feel the need to give the Doctor the same speech. It seldom helps much.

Our hero is about to go into a dangerous situation. Cue the hero's best friend/mentor/lover/commanding officer/etc., reminding them just how dangerous it's going to be.

* The TropeNamer is the WhiteCollar episode ''Power Play.'' Neal and Peter have to switch identities, meaning Peter is the one who has to pull off a heist while working undercover for the VillainOfTheWeek.
* The [[Series/{{Doctor Who}} Doctor]] gives his companions (and just about everyone else he meets) this speech all the time. The companions also frequently feel the need to give the Doctor the same speech. It usually doesn't help much.

This trope is in serious need of expansion.

* The [[Series/Doctor Who Doctor]] gives his companions (and just about everyone else he meets) this speech all the time. The companions also frequently feel the need to give the Doctor the same speech. It usually doesn't help much.

--> '''Peter:''' You don't give me the [[TropeNamer "be careful" speech.]] I ''invented'' the "be careful" speech.

Our hero is about to go into a dangerous situation. Cue the hero's best friend/mentor/lover/commanding officer/etc., reminding them just how dangerous it's going to be.

--> '''Neal:''' Hey, keep your eye on the prize, okay? This is serious. Stanzler doesn't mess around. And remember, nacup is ten seconds away, so--

--> '''Peter:''' You don't give me the [[TropeNamer 'be careful' speech.]] I ''invented'' the 'be careful' speech.