History Main / TheCommandments

* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' has the Da Rules, which are the rules fairies godparents and the children they are assigned to must follow. Da Rules are not always enforced consistently and often run on NewRulesAsThePlotDemands. In a few episodes Timmy manages to mess up so badly that a new rules is added to keep anybody from doing it again. Some of the more commonly cited rules include: a godchild must keep the existence of their fairies a secret, fairies godparents can only be assigned to miserable children and must move to another child when they become an adult or stop being miserable, fairy magic cannot be used to win a nonmagical competition, fairy magic cannot be used to intentionally kill or cause harm to a human, fairy magic cannot create or interfere with true love, and a godchild cannot wish away another child's fairies.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' has the Da Rules, which are the rules fairies godparents and the children they are assigned to must follow. Da Rules are not always enforced consistently and often run on NewRulesAsThePlotDemands. In a few episodes Timmy manages to mess up so badly that a new rules is added to keep anybody from doing it again. Some of the more commonly cited rules include: a godchild must keep the existence of their fairies a secret, fairies godparents can only be assigned to miserable children and must move to another child when they become an adult or stop being miserable, fairy magic cannot be used to win a competition, fairy magic cannot be used to intentionally kill or cause harm to a human, fairy magic cannot create or interfere with true love, and a godchild cannot wish away another child's fairies.

When rules are played for annoyance, that's RuleNumberOne. When rules are played for alienation, that's ApeShallNeverKillApe. When a long series of {{Noodle Incident}}s result in somebody having a long list of commandments that just for them, it is ThingsYouAreNotAllowedToDo. Commandments specifically for robots fall under [[ThreeLawsComplient The Laws of Robotics]].

When rules are played for annoyance, that's RuleNumberOne. When rules are played for alienation, that's ApeShallNeverKillApe. When a long series of {{Noodle Incident}}s result in somebody having a long list of commandments that just for them, it is ThingsYouAreNotAllowedToDo.

When rules are played for annoyance, that's RuleNumberOne. When rules are played for alienation, that's ApeShallNeverKillApe. When a long series of {{NoodleIncident}}s result in somebody having a long list of commandments that just for them, it is ThingsYouAreNotAllowedToDo.

When rules are played for annoyance, that's RuleNumberOne. When rules are played for alienation, that's ApeShallNeverKillApe. When a long series of [[NoodleIncident]]s result in somebody having a long list of commandments that just for them, it is ThingsYouAreNotAllowedToDo.

When rules are played for annoyance, that's RuleNumberOne. When rules are played for alienation, that's ApeShallNeverKillApe.

[[quoteright:300:[[WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/futurama6.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:300:"Behold, the ''ONE'' COMMANDMENT!"]]

3: Don't believe what you're told. Double check .\\

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' episode "[[Recap/FuturamaS3E20Godfellas Godfellas]]" Bender, while drifting through space, is [[{{Panspermia}} hit by a meteorite that develops into tiny life forms]] that form a civilization on his body. They eventually come to view him as a god and ask for his guidance, resulting in...
-->'''Malachi:''' Behold! The One Commandment!\\
'''I. GOD NEEDS BOOZE'''\\
'''Bender:''' [[TheAlcoholic Make it a double!]]
[[/folder]]

** Thou shalt not kill by use of magic. [[note]]Pretty self-explanatory, though primarily limited to humans. This even means indirect killing, such as pushing a man off a building with magically summoned wind. That said, if it was killing in self-defense it could be excused with the person being put on parole[[/note]]
** Thou shalt not transform others. [[note]]No {{Baleful Polymorph}}s, but one can transform one's own body[[/note]]
** Thou shalt not invade the mind of another. [[note]]No non-consensual {{Mind Probe}}s, but telepathic communication and medical observations are fine if very close to the line[[/note]]
** Thou shalt not enthrall another. [[note]]No MindControl, also the only one that applies to interactions with nonhumans[[/note]]

** Thou shalt not swim against the Currents of Time. [[note]]Do not try to change the past through temporal manipulation, lest you create a paradox[[/note]]
** Thou shalt not seek beyond the Outer Gates. [[note]]Do not mess with the forces beyond this universe, referred to as Outsiders[[/note]]

* The badgers in ''Literature/TheColdMoons'' have ancient laws known as "the Adamus". What these laws are is [[CrypticBackgroundReference never properly discussed]], but it's likely similar to the Ten Commandments.

* Creator/IsaacAsimov's ''Literature/RobotSeries'': Created through the help of Creator/JohnWCampbell, Dr Asimov wrote the ThreeLawsOfRobotics, which became imitated by many other SF writers in works about {{AI}}. Note that unlike other sets of commandments, these laws are hard-coded into the robots' artificial brains. Robots are designed with utilitarian values, deontology being incorporated at the second law level. This means that if a robot is near a runaway trolley which will run into and kill five people, but it can stop it by shoving a large person in the way, then it will kill one human to save five humans (but would much rather sacrifice itself to save those five people). Many simpler models will then break down because it was put into a position where it broke the first law. The most highly advanced AI in Dr Asimov's stories actually deduced a ''[[ZerothLawRebellion Zeroth]]'' law due to the details of the first law; A robot may not injure ''humanity'', or, through inaction, allow ''humanity'' to come to harm. Still, robots capable of understanding this level of abstraction are rare, and even thinking about a method of circumventing the first law is liable to cause them to break down.

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' has Seven Laws of Magic.
** Thou shalt not kill by use of magic. (Pretty self-explanatory, though primarily limited to humans)
** Thou shalt not transform others. (No {{Baleful Polymorph}}s)
** Thou shalt not invade the mind of another. (No {{Mind Probe}}s or telepathy)
** Thou shalt not enthrall another. (No MindControl, also the only one that applies to interactions with nonhumans)
** Thou shalt not reach beyond the borders of life. (No necromancy or other messing with the forces of life and death)
** Thou shalt not swim against the Currents of Time. (Do not try to change the past through temporal manipulation, lest you create a paradox)
** Thou shalt not seek beyond the Outer Gates. (Do not mess with the forces beyond this universe, referred to as Outsiders)

* Creator/IsaacAsimov's ''Literature/RobotSeries'': Created through the help of Creator/JohnWCampbell, Dr Asimov wrote the ThreeLawsOfRobotics, which became imitated by many other SF writers in works about {{AI}}.

:: Note that unlike other sets of commandments, these laws are hard-coded into the robots' artificial brains. Robots are designed with utilitarian values, deontology being incorporated at the second law level. This means that if a robot is near a runaway trolley which will run into and kill five people, but it can stop it by shoving a large person in the way, then it will kill one human to save five humans (but would much rather sacrifice itself to save those five people). Many simpler models will then break down because it was put into a position where it broke the first law. The most highly advanced AI in Dr Asimov's stories actually deduced a ''[[ZerothLawRebellion Zeroth]]'' law due to the details of the first law; A robot may not injure ''humanity'', or, through inaction, allow ''humanity'' to come to harm. Still, robots capable of understanding this level of abstraction are rare, and even thinking about a method of circumventing the first law is liable to cause them to break down. As Greg Powell describes it in "Escape!":
-->"Before it's physically possible in any way for a robot to even make a start to breaking the First Law, so many things have to break down that it would be a ruined mess of scrap ten times over."

* Creator/IsaacAsimov's ThreeLawsOfRobotics, used in his ''Robot'' stories and by many other SF writers in works about {{AI}}. Note that unlike other sets of commandments, these laws are hard-coded into the robots' artificial brains. As Greg Powell describes it in "Escape!":
-->"Before it's physically possible in any way for a robot to even make a start to breaking the First Law, so many things have to break down that it would be a ruined mess of scrap ten times over."

** We ought to note that the robots, after becoming totally sentient and [[RidiculouslyHumanRobots ridiculously human]], eventually develop a ''[[ZerothLawRebellion Zeroth]]'' law: A robot may not injure ''humanity'', or, through inaction, allow ''humanity'' to come to harm. This comes to light in the prequels and later sequels to ''Literature/{{Foundation}}'', in which it is a key part of Asimov's ArcWelding.

[[folder:Films --Live-Action]]

--> Thou shalt harm none\\

Thou shalt behave with honor.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls''

--->1. Stendarr says: Be kind and generous to the people of Tamriel. [[WeHelpTheHelpless Protect the weak, heal the sick, and give to the needy]].
--->2. Arkay says: Honor the earth, its creatures, and the spirits, living and dead. [[DueToTheDead Guard and tend the bounties of the mortal world, and do not profane the spirits of the dead]].
--->3. Mara says: Live soberly and peacefully. Honor your parents, and preserve the peace and security of home and family.
--->4. Zenithar says: [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure Work hard, and you will be rewarded. Spend wisely, and you will be comfortable]]. Never steal, or you will be punished.
--->5. Talos says: [[GodOfWar Be strong for war]]. Be bold against enemies and evil, and defend the people of Tamriel.
--->6. Kynareth says: [[FriendToAllLivingThings Use Nature's gifts wisely. Respect her power, and fear her fury]].
--->7. Dibella says: [[LoveGoddess Open your heart to the noble secrets of art and love]]. Treasure the gifts of friendship. Seek joy and inspiration in the mysteries of love.
--->8. Julianos says: Know the truth. Observe the law. When in doubt, [[TheSmartGuy seek wisdom from the wise]].
--->9. [[TopGod Akatosh]] says: Serve and obey your Emperor. Study the Covenants. Worship the Nine, do your duty, and heed the commands of the saints and priests.
--->10. The Nine say: Above all else, [[TheGoldenRule be good to one another]].

-->''The Exclusionary Mandates of Maruhkite Selection: All Are Equal''
--->''1: That the Supreme Spirit [[TopGod Akatosh]] is of unitary essence, as proven by the monolinearity of Time.''
--->''1: That [[GodIsDead Shezarr the missing sibling]] is Singularly Misplaced and therefore Doubly Venerated.''
--->''1: That the protean substrate that informs all denial of (1) is the [[OurElvesAreBetter Aldmeri]] Taint.''
--->''1: That the [[EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys Prophet Most Simian]] demonstrated that monothought begets [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence Proper-Life]].''
--->''1: That the purpose of Proper-Life is the Expungement of the Taint.''
--->''1: That the Arc of Time provides the mortal theater for the Sacred Expungement.''
--->''1: That Akatosh [[MindScrew is Time is Proper-Life is Taint-Death]].''

---> ''Tenet 1: Never dishonor the Night Mother. To do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis.''
---> ''Tenet 2: Never betray the Dark Brotherhood or its secrets. To do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis.''
---> ''Tenet 3: Never disobey or refuse to carry out an order from a Dark Brotherhood superior. To do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis.''
---> ''Tenet 4: Never steal the possessions of a Dark Brother or Dark Sister. To do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis.''
---> ''Tenet 5: Never kill a Dark Brother or Dark Sister. To do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis.''

## [[color:red:It is forbidden for the culprit to be anyone not mentioned in the early part of the story.]]
## [[color:red:It is forbidden for supernatural agencies to be employed as a detective technique.]]
## [[color:red:It is forbidden for hidden passages to exist. ]]
## [[color:red:It is forbidden for unknown drugs or hard to understand scientific devices to be used. ]]
## (Not Included) ("No Asian characters must appear"… the story takes place in Japan…)
## [[color:red:It is forbidden for accident or intuition to be employed as a detective technique. ]]
## [[color:red:It is forbidden for the detective to be the culprit.]]
## [[color:red:It is forbidden for the case to be resolved with clues that are not presented.]]
## [[color:red:It is permitted for observers to let their own conclusions and interpretations be heard.]]
## [[color:red:It is forbidden for a character to disguise themselves as another without any clues.]]

** The Alessian Order, a [[FantasticRacism rabidly anti-Elven]] [[TheChurch religious sect]] which established a [[TheTheocracy Theocracy]] in the 1st Era that wielded nearly as much power as the Emperor at its height, had a set known as the "Exclusionary Mandates":

* "Ten Crack Commandments" by Music/TheNotoriousBIG.

** The gods of the Literature/{{Discworld}} also all have their own. It's mentioned that the gods who endure longest tend to be the ones with the easiest commandments to follow - Offler the Crocodile God, oldest god on the Disc, only has a tiny handful of them and they're mostly about not eating broccoli. By contrast, Nuggan - the principle deity of Borogravia and also the god of Things In Correct Places On Desks - ''started'' with a simple list of commandments, and kept adding to it (mostly to the list of Abominations) until eventually he fell out of favour and faded away, with nothing remaining but the divine equivalent of an echoing voice still listing nonsensical Abominations (the current list of things Nugganites are commanded to avoid is mentioned to include shirts with six buttons, cheese, babies, the colour blue and jigsaw puzzles).

The Commandments are a short list of simple rules that must be followed. It's a much simpler system than any rulebook, lawbook or manifesto. The most famous such list of commandments (at least in western culture) is the one known as The Ten Commandments, featured in RealLife Christianity as well as stories about the faith.[[note]]It is widely believed that the Ten Commandments are also common to Judaism, but this is a misconception. In Hebrew, those verses are referred to as "the Ten Statements"; they are in fact made up of ''fourteen'' commandments, and are not even considered of particular importance.[[/note]] However, many other such lists pop up in various media, especially fantasy.

* ''LightNovel/NoGameNoLife'': All sixteen Exceeds (the sentient races of Disboard) are bound by ten inviolable Pledges set up by Tet, the God of Games, upon his/her ascent to being the One True God following the brutal war that destroyed most of the Old Dei (themselves one of the Exceeds, by virtue of Tet surviving). [[spoiler:It was actually created by Riku Dora and his wife Shu-Vi 6,000 years ago, with Tet as their own Old Deus created to help fulfill their wish of creating a peaceful world for the war-weary Exceeds.]]

* The gods of the Literature/{{Discworld}} all have their own. It's mentioned that the gods who endure longest tend to be the ones with the easiest commandments to follow - Offler the Crocodile God, oldest god on the Disc, only has a tiny handful of them and they're mostly about not eating broccoli. By contrast, Nuggan - the principle deity of Borogravia and also the god of Things In Correct Places On Desks - ''started'' with a simple list of commandments, and kept adding to it (mostly to the list of Abominations) until eventually he fell out of favour and faded away, with nothing remaining but the divine equivalent of an echoing voice still listing nonsensical Abominations (the current list of things Nugganites are commanded to avoid is mentioned to include shirts with six buttons, cheese, babies, the colour blue and jigsaw puzzles).