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1->''"If you believe in yourself, eat all your school, stay in milk, drink your teeth, don't do sleep, and get 8 hours of drugs, you can get work!"''
2-->-- '''Creator/MrT''' {{parody}}, ''[[Series/SaturdayNightLive TV Funhouse]]''
3
4Stock Aesops are the morals that the writers and [[ExecutiveMeddling producers]] of TV most often love to explore. They sometimes contradict each other, but it's a clumsy writer indeed who sticks [[MindScrew two contradictory aesops into the same script]], which can either [[BothSidesHaveAPoint prove them both to be good advice]] or create a BrokenAesop. When AnAesop [[HardWorkFallacy contradicts the typical beliefs of society]], [[ViolenceReallyIsTheAnswer offends the]] MoralGuardians, or [[HigherUnderstandingThroughDrugs promotes an "unconventional" belief]], it's a HardTruthAesop.
5
6Because times change, some older Aesops tend to be seen as [[FairForItsDay Fair For Their Day]] or ValuesDissonance.
7
8On the other hand, if they're treated as profound moral insights, they risk being seen as a CaptainObviousAesop to the audience.
9
10Many are OlderThanFeudalism. And some, indeed, come straight from the original Literature/AesopsFables.
11----
12!!Examples:
13[[index]]
14[[foldercontrol]]
15
16[[folder:On Agreement]]
17* All points of view are equally valid.
18* StrangeMindsThinkAlike: Two unlikely people can have the same idea.
19* [[YesMan The Foolish Seldom Differ]]
20* AgreeToDisagree
21* WithUsOrAgainstUs: You choose one or the other. There's no middle ground.
22[[/folder]]
23
24[[folder:On Ambition]]
25* [[ToBeAMaster Aspire To Greater Things, and work hard to achieve them]]
26* LivingIsMoreThanSurviving: A Man's Reach Should Exceed His Grasp.
27* CarpeDiem: Seize the day, for you may not live tomorrow.
28* ItsTheJourneyThatCounts
29* AmbitionIsEvil: Unfortunately, that also makes you '''evil'''.
30* It's LonelyAtTheTop
31* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: [[ExactWords Ya just might get it]].
32* SweetAndSourGrapes: Learn to appreciate your situation as it is.
33* ICouldaBeenAContender: the chances you don't take, or don't ''get'' to take, are the ones you regret the most
34[[/folder]]
35
36[[folder:On Appearance, Beauty, and Clothing]]
37* BeautyIsBad
38* BeautyEqualsGoodness
39* [[UnnecessaryMakeover Clothes Make The Man]]
40* [[HiddenDepths Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover]]
41* EvilMakesYouUgly
42* [[SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains Good People Dress Modestly]]
43* TrueBeautyIsOnTheInside
44* UncleanlinessIsNextToUngodliness
45* Beware the [[AWolfInSheepsClothing Wolf in Sheep's Clothing]]
46* Beware a ManOfWealthAndTaste
47* Take Pride In Your Appearance
48* Don't Be Vain
49[[/folder]]
50
51[[folder:On Authority, Government]]
52* DemocracyIsBad
53* DemocracyIsFlawed
54* [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure Trust Authority]]
55* TVNeverLies: Question Authority
56* DisobeyThisMessage: We're Telling You, Think For Yourself
57* YouCannotKillAnIdea: Stopping the proponent of an idea doesn't necessarily mean that no one else will follow the idea's principles.
58* It's MyCountryRightOrWrong
59* War crimes are bad, even if you were JustFollowingOrders.
60* RousseauWasRight: There is good in humanity.
61* HobbesWasRight: Leading through fear is necessary.
62* MachiavelliWasWrong: Leading through fear is bad.
63* GentleTouchVsFirmHand: Lead with a balance of softness and strictness.
64[[/folder]]
65
66[[folder:On Belief]]
67* BeliefMakesYouStupid: Beliefs and opinions based on blind faith (such as religion) instead of logical evidence cause you to think and act irrationally.
68* GodIsGood
69* HopeSpringsEternal
70[[/folder]]
71
72[[folder:On Caution and Planning]]
73* Live Dangerously and [[InHarmsWay Throw Caution To The Wind]].
74* Look Before You Leap.
75* He Who Hesitates Is Lost. Strike While The Iron is Hot.
76* An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure.
77* HoistByHisOwnPetard: The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men often go awry.
78* [[UsefulNotes/GunSafety Be very careful with tools designed to kill.]]
79[[/folder]]
80
81[[folder:On Change, Progress, and Technology]]
82* GoodOldWays: Change Is Bad.
83* LuddWasRight: Progress Is Bad.
84* EvilLuddite: Opposing Progress Is Bad.
85* ScienceHero: Influencing Progress Is Good.
86* Even though technology can be great, not everything can be automated.
87[[/folder]]
88
89[[folder:On Conformity, Individuality, and Tradition]]
90* BeYourself: Accept who you are.
91* BlitheSpirit: Change tradition and convert everyone else to your views.
92* TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong: You should always agree with your friends.
93* Conform to Expectations, 'cause great-grandma knows best.
94** Subverted: Giving in to expectations are more trouble than it's worth.
95* CryingWolf: If you lie about danger too often, no one will believe you when the day comes that you're being truthful about it.
96* PeerPressureMakesYouEvil: Don't give into peer pressure.
97* PygmalionSnapBack: Accept people for who they are and let others be themselves.
98* TallPoppySyndrome: The Nail That Stands Out Gets Hammered Flat.
99* TrendAesop: Giving into materialism, peer pressure, and/or the silly/fickle nature of fashion is more trouble than it is worth.
100[[/folder]]
101
102[[folder:On Cruelty, Kindness, and Trust]]
103* PowerOfTrust: Trust makes people stronger.
104* If you don't have trust, you have nothing.
105* BetrayalTropes: Some people should not be trusted.
106* ChildrenAreInnocent
107* KidsAreCruel
108* AndroclesLion: Kindness is returned in kind.
109* LaserGuidedKarma: Cruelty is returned in kind.
110* You can only push someone so far before they break.
111* Don't be AllTakeAndNoGive, because [[Music/TheBeatles in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make]].
112* TheFarmerAndTheViper: Don't be kind to evil.
113* GoodIsNotSoft: Don't take kindness for weakness.
114* MiseryBuildsCharacter: A little suffering is good for the soul.
115* EnemiesEqualsGreatness: Having enemies is good for you.
116* TheGoldenRule: Do unto others as you would have done unto you.
117* The best ''REAL'' magic is being kind and good to others!
118* TooSmartForStrangers: Don't trust people you don't know, especially if you're a kid.
119* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: Being kind to others doesn't necessarily guarantee that you will be justly rewarded or even appreciated.
120[[/folder]]
121
122[[folder:On Curiosity and Science]]
123* CuriosityKilledTheCast: Curiosity killed the cat.
124** CuriosityIsACrapshoot
125** Curiosity saved the cat.
126* [[IDoNotLikeGreenEggsAndHam Keep an open mind and be willing to try new things]] (like Literature/GreenEggsAndHam) -- maybe you'll like them!
127* There are ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow, and learning about them [[GoMadFromTheRevelation are bad for your sanity and happiness]].
128* ScienceIsBad: Scientific and technological achievements are not always good for our world.
129** ScienceIsWrong: Science doesn't offer any true answers.
130** [[ForScience Science Makes You Crazy]]: Studying science without any regard for morality makes you an {{Evil|Genius}} MadScientist.
131** Alternatively, ScienceIsGood! Every scientific discovery makes us less ignorant and can improve our world.
132*** ScienceHero: When science falls under the hands of good people, more awesome discoveries are made, and each discovery can be integrated within society for the better.
133[[/folder]]
134
135[[folder:On Destiny]]
136* BecauseDestinySaysSo: Accept Your Destiny.
137* ScrewDestiny: Shape Your Own Destiny.
138* ThereAreNoCoincidences: Nothing Happens By Chance; Everything Is Destined.
139[[/folder]]
140
141[[folder:On Differences]]
142* PrejudiceAesop: Bigotry and discrimination are stupid and wrong. Treat others with equal dignity and respect.
143** FantasticRacism: A lesson against real-life bigotry, [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything but filtered through (not-so-)subtle allegories and metaphors]].
144** GayAesop: Treat {{UsefulNotes/LGBT}} people with acceptance and tolerance.
145* HandyShortcoming
146* SillyReasonForWar: Your differences are minuscule. Just get along already!
147[[/folder]]
148
149[[folder:On Effort]]
150* If something is worth doing at all, it's worth doing well.
151* Failing Is Better Than Doing Nothing
152* QualityOverQuantity: Few but high-quality trumps many but low-quality.
153* CheatersNeverProsper: People who cheat will ultimately face punishment for doing so.
154* NoChallengeEqualsNoSatisfaction: It's no fun winning unless you actually had to put in an effort.
155* [[TalentedButTrained All the talent in the world won't mean anything if you don't hone it]], unless you're Music/JimiHendrix.
156[[/folder]]
157
158[[folder:On Family]]
159* BabiesMakeEverythingBetter: Having children can improve your relationship.
160* Blood is ThickerThanWater: Your Relatives Are Your Best Friends.
161* ChildrenRaiseYou: Looking after a child can mature you.
162* Family Is A Hindrance: Show The Other Generation What You're Really Worth.
163* WhenYouComingHomeDad: it's important to build bonds and settle differences with ones family while one has the chance.
164[[/folder]]
165
166[[folder:On Force]]
167* {{Forgiveness}}: You should forgive those who wrong you. [[ThisIsUnforgivable Unless]] [[MoralEventHorizon you]] [[BeyondRedemption shouldn't.]]
168** ForgivenButNotForgotten: ...and even if you did, you should never forget what they've done.
169* MightMakesRight: The strongest are the ones who decide what's okay.
170** RightMakesMight: Essentially, when things get bad, treating others with kindness and resect will lead to stronger bonds, as leading through fear will have them jump ship when the chance presents itself.
171* RevengeIsNotJustice: Two wrongs don't make a right.
172** DisproportionateRetribution: Going over and beyond when it comes to punishing wrongdoers is never good.
173** HeWhoFightsMonsters: Getting revenge will corrupt you.
174** IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim: It's bad to kill a bad person because then you'd be stooping to their level.
175** IfYouTauntHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim: It's bad to get back at a jerk because you'd be stooping to their level.
176** VengeanceFeelsEmpty: Getting revenge won't give you satisfaction you hoped for.
177* TurnTheOtherCheek: Break The CycleOfRevenge.
178* ViolenceReallyIsTheAnswer: Sometimes, people can't be reasoned with through discussion, and psychical force needs to be employed.
179** ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption: Being stronger and more aggressive is the only way to stop an aggressor.
180* True strength is not about who can hit hardest.
181[[/folder]]
182
183[[folder:On Friendship]]
184* ThePowerOfFriendship conquers all.
185* FalseFriend: Well, maybe they weren't really your friends.
186* LonersAreFreaks: If you don't have friends, there's something wrong with you.
187* InTheEndYouAreOnYourOwn: However, even if you have friends they won't always be there, and there's some things [[ThisIsSomethingHesGotToDoHimself you have to do yourself.]]
188* LoonyFriendsImproveYourPersonality: People who are extroverted to the point of being too much to handle can bring you out of your shell.
189* Be a FriendToAllLivingThings
190* SomebodyDoesntLoveRaymond: Not everyone in the world has to like you, for a friend to all is a friend to none.
191* BefriendingTheEnemy: Making friends with an enemy will cause them to change their ways.
192[[/folder]]
193
194[[folder:On Health and Safety]]
195* AntiAlcoholAesop: If you start drinking alcohol, it can have a negative impact on your life.
196* DiseasePreventionAesop: Practice proper hygiene and sanitation, so that you won't catch some nasty infections!
197* DrugsAreBad, [[WesternAnimation/SouthPark mmmkay]]? If you start using recreational substances, it can ruin your life.
198** Or: DrugsAreGood! All of that anti-drug stuff is just propaganda. They really let you achieve HigherUnderstandingThroughDrugs because... uh, reasons?
199* MissedMealAesop: Don't skip a meal.
200* SafeDrivingAesop: Be careful when you drive a vehicle, because it will literally mean the difference between life or death on the road.
201* SelfCareEpiphany: Looking out for others is good and all, but remember to take care of yourself as well.
202* SleepAesop: Get enough sleep!
203* AWeightyAesop: Junk food is bad for you. Eat healthier foods instead, like fruits and vegetables.
204[[/folder]]
205
206[[folder:On Honesty and Integrity]]
207* Don't Be Completely Honest ([[BrutalHonesty The Truth Hurts]], and Little White Lies Are Comforting And Convenient. And of course, you must protect your SecretIdentity.)
208** TheyreCalledPersonalIssuesForAReason
209** Some things are better left unsaid.
210* HonestAxe: Honesty Is The Best Policy (And Will Totally Get You The InfinityPlusOneSword.)
211* HonestyAesop: Always tell the truth.
212* What happens in the dark always comes to light; for secrets cannot remain hidden forever, and the truth has a way of revealing itself when the time is right and when one least expects it.
213[[/folder]]
214
215[[folder:On Honor]]
216* HonorBeforeReason: The honorable thing to do isn't always the smart thing to do.
217* NotCheatingUnlessYouGetCaught
218* WhatYouAreInTheDark matters.
219[[/folder]]
220
221[[folder:On Immortality]]
222* LivingForeverIsNoBigDeal: Immortality is alright.
223* LivingForeverIsAwesome: Immortality rules!
224* WhoWantsToLiveForever: Immortality sucks!
225[[/folder]]
226
227[[folder:On Initiative]]
228* LeeroyJenkins: Fools rush in.
229* MissedTheCall: He who hesitates is lost.
230[[/folder]]
231
232[[folder:On Intellectualism]]
233* TVGenius, BookDumb, DumbIsGood, BrilliantButLazy: Studying Is Overrated.
234* AwesomeByAnalysis: Knowledge is power.
235[[/folder]]
236
237[[folder:On Intuition and First Impressions]]
238* DontThinkFeel
239* SubvertedSuspicionAesop: Always trust your first impressions.
240* SuspicionAesop: First Impressions Are Misleading. Sometimes things are MoreThanMeetsTheEye.
241[[/folder]]
242
243[[folder:On Justice]]
244* FreudianExcuse: Cut your ArchEnemy some slack -- he had a rough childhood.
245* FreudianExcuseIsNoExcuse: Suffering a traumatic past does not make it okay to do bad things to other people.
246* AsLongAsThereIsOneMan...
247** JusticeWillPrevail,
248** and EvilWillFail, because EvilCannotComprehendGood.
249[[/folder]]
250
251[[folder:On Kinship]]
252* Blood Is ThickerThanWater
253* DoesntTrustThoseGuys: Don't be racist; they can't ''all'' be that bad, despite [[VillainousLineage their relatives all being evil]].
254[[/folder]]
255
256[[folder:On Literature]]
257* Actions Speak Louder Than Words.
258* The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword.
259* InDefenceOfStorytelling: Storytelling has inherent value.
260* ThePowerOfLanguage: Language and writing have power (or, sometimes, are powerless in the end).
261[[/folder]]
262
263[[folder:On Love]]
264* ThePowerOfLove conquers all.
265* WrongGuyFirst: Be careful who you give your heart to.
266* LoveAtFirstSight: You'll ''just know'' when your true love shows up, what with the [[BishieSparkle golden lights]] and [[HeartSymbol floating hearts]] and all.
267* LoveAtFirstPunch: You'll hate each other at first, though.
268* LoveMakesYouCrazy
269* LoveMakesYouDumb: Love can override common sense.
270* LoveMakesYouEvil: Love can bring out [[IfICantHaveYou the]] [[MurderTheHypotenuse worst]] [[StalkerWithACrush in]] [[{{Yandere}} people]].
271* LoveRedeems: Love can bring out [[HappilyMarried the]] [[RescueRomance best]] [[CantActPervertedTowardALoveInterest in]] [[BattleCouple people]].
272[[/folder]]
273
274[[folder:On Material Possessions and Wealth]]
275* CapitalismIsBad
276* AllThatGlitters is not gold.
277* GrailInTheGarbage
278* If you choose money over love, you will always be poor.
279* OneMansTrashIsAnothersTreasure: What one person sees as worthless, another may see as valuable.
280* The price of greed is always higher than any treasure.
281* You can have all the SolidGoldPoop you want, it's [[WorthlessYellowRocks worthless]].
282* WantingIsBetterThanHaving: Getting what you desire can turn out to be worse than simply longing for it.
283* The TrueMeaningOfChristmas: It's better to give than to receive.
284* YouGetWhatYouPayFor
285* AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted
286* A penny saved is a penny earned.
287[[/folder]]
288
289[[folder:On Media and Entertainment]]
290* AntiEscapismAesop: Reality is better than fiction.
291* DigitalPiracyIsEvil: It's wrong to download media without paying for it.
292** DigitalPiracyIsOkay: It's perfectly okay to download media without paying for it.
293* InDefenceOfStoryTelling
294* OldMediaAreEvil
295** NewMediaAreEvil
296** SocialMediaIsBad: It cannot substitute for genuine human relationships and can have bad effects if one obsesses over it.
297* ReadingIsCoolAesop: Reading can be really fun and useful.
298* ThinkOfTheChildren: You are responsible for the kids' well-being, not the media.
299[[/folder]]
300
301[[folder:On the Natural World]]
302* GreenAesop: Earth's natural environment is being threatened by the growth of human civilization, so let's try to protect and save it.
303* NatureIsNotNice: The natural wilderness is a harsh, hostile, and indifferent place where animals suffer and die. And humans are not safe from it either.
304** NaiveAnimalLover: Don't ever assume that wild animals are [[AllAnimalsAreDomesticated tame and friendly]]. Treat them with proper caution and respect, and keep your distance from them.
305[[/folder]]
306
307[[folder:On Patience]]
308* All Good Things Come To He Who Waits.
309* [[BystanderSyndrome Time and Tide Wait For No Man.]]
310[[/folder]]
311
312[[folder:On Perseverance]]
313* {{Determinator}}: Never give up.
314* EvilIsEasy, but it takes true fortitude to do the right thing.
315* HopeSpringsEternal
316* KnowWhenToFoldEm: Sometimes you have to give up.
317[[/folder]]
318
319[[folder:On Positive and Negative Attitude]]
320* TheAntiNihilist: Life sucks, [[EarnYourHappyEnding but we can make it better]].
321* DeterminedDefeatist: You're bound to fail, but still try anyways.
322* ThePollyanna: Keep a positive attitude in times of peril.
323* SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers: Take off those JadeColoredGlasses and don't be negative.
324* SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids: Being a WideEyedIdealist is foolish.
325[[/folder]]
326
327[[folder:On Power]]
328* WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility: If you're gifted with a special ability or talent, or given a position of authority or influence, please act wisely and don't abuse your powers over other people.
329** WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Because (more often than not), having absolute power may corrupt someone absolutely.
330[[/folder]]
331
332[[folder:On Pride]]
333* [[AGodAmI Don't play God]]; it never ends well.
334* [[PrideBeforeAFall Pride comes before a fall]].
335[[/folder]]
336
337[[folder:On Principle]]
338* You Have To Be Willing To Compromise
339* Stick To Your Guns
340[[/folder]]
341
342[[folder:On Relationships]]
343* BirdsOfAFeather Flock Together.
344** [[FairWeatherFriend ...Until The]] [[BetrayalByInaction Cat Comes.]]
345* OppositesAttract: A couple can fall in love even if they're completely different and have nothing alike.
346[[/folder]]
347
348[[folder:On Sex]]
349* ButWeUsedACondom: "Condoms are effective, not perfect." Though this storyline is [[Administrivia/SeenItAMillionTimes used so often]], it ends up feeling more like "Condoms don't work at all, so don't even bother with them."
350* SexEqualsLove (even when it's rape)
351* Love Is Not Sex
352* CantHaveSexEver: Love is more important than sex.
353* VirginityMakesYouStupid, SexAsRiteOfPassage: You aren't an adult until you've had sex.
354[[/folder]]
355
356[[folder:On Specialization]]
357* MasterOfNone: You can do everything, but you can't do everything THAT well if you can't be the JackOfAllTrades.
358* CripplingOverspecialization: You do one thing very well, but you can't do anything else straight.
359[[/folder]]
360
361[[folder:On Spontaneity]]
362* Don't Be Shy
363* Don't Get In Over Your Head
364[[/folder]]
365
366[[folder:On Teamwork]]
367* Two heads are better than one. Many hands make light work.
368* TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup: A project can go awry if there are too many people involved in it.
369[[/folder]]
370
371[[folder:On Time]]
372* Have Fun LikeYouWereDying
373* Work Now To Enjoy A Great Future
374[[/folder]]
375
376[[folder:On War]]
377* WarIsHell: War is just cruel and terrible bloodshed. Can we please give peace a chance?
378** ArmiesAreEvil: Soldiers are [[BlindObedience weak-willed drones]] who exist only to [[RapePillageAndBurn kill and destroy]].
379* WarIsGlorious: War is a heroic and patriotic adventure. Pacifism is for cowardly traitors!
380** StrawCivilian: Civilians are [[DirtyCoward spineless cowards]] who have [[JustForFun/DyingLikeAnimals no sense of duty or responsibility]].
381[[/folder]]
382
383[[folder:On Women]]
384* Treat Girls Nice
385* Treat Girls The Same As Guys
386* ShowingUpChauvinists: Women are at least as competent as men.
387* YouGoGirl: Women are just as good at sports as men.
388* WomenAreWiser: Women have more common sense.
389[[/folder]]
390
391[[folder:The Lessons of History]]
392* ALessonInDefeat: The greatest teacher, failure is.
393* TheDinosaursHadItComing: Immoral behavior is what drives species extinct.
394* HistoryRepeats: Those who [[IgnoredAesop fail to]] [[AesopAmnesia remember history]] are [[HereWeGoAgain doomed to repeat it]].
395[[/folder]]
396
397[[folder:Other Aesops]]
398* Follow TheCardinalVirtues
399* FearIsNormal: It's okay to be scared.
400* Follow the SevenHeavenlyVirtues.
401** Avoid the SevenDeadlySins.
402* WhenLifeGivesYouLemons, make lemonade!
403* MistakesAreNotTheEndOfTheWorld
404* GiveAManAFish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
405* [[ThePresentsWereNeverFromSanta Be careful where you get your power, your validation, and the justification for your actions]].
406* ...And the reason for all the contradictions is the Golden Mean: Nothing In Excess. Everything in moderation, [[GoldenMeanFallacy including moderation]].
407* GoingHomeAgain after flunking the big leagues allows you to reconnect with your loved ones.
408* You will never truly learn your lesson if you don't pay the price.
409[[/folder]]
410
411[[/index]]
412----
413For every proverb, there is an equal and opposite proverb.

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