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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* PerfectionIsStatic: Never-Ending Perfection Is Bad.
86* ScienceHero: Influencing Progress Is Good.
87* Even though technology can be great, not everything can be automated.
88[[/folder]]
89
90[[folder:On Conformity, Individuality, and Tradition]]
91* BeYourself: Accept who you are.
92* BlitheSpirit: Change tradition and convert everyone else to your views.
93* TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong: You should always agree with your friends.
94* Conform to Expectations, 'cause great-grandma knows best.
95** Subverted: Giving in to expectations are more trouble than it's worth.
96* CryingWolf: If you lie about danger too often, no one will believe you when the day comes that you're being truthful about it.
97* PeerPressureMakesYouEvil: Don't give into peer pressure.
98* PygmalionSnapBack: Accept people for who they are and let others be themselves.
99* TallPoppySyndrome: The Nail That Stands Out Gets Hammered Flat.
100* TrendAesop: Giving into materialism, peer pressure, and/or the silly/fickle nature of fashion is more trouble than it is worth.
101[[/folder]]
102
103[[folder:On Cruelty, Kindness, and Trust]]
104* PowerOfTrust: Trust makes people stronger.
105* If you don't have trust, you have nothing.
106* BetrayalTropes: Some people should not be trusted.
107* ChildrenAreInnocent
108* KidsAreCruel
109* AndroclesLion: Kindness is returned in kind.
110* LaserGuidedKarma: Cruelty is returned in kind.
111* You can only push someone so far before they break.
112* Don't be AllTakeAndNoGive, because [[Music/TheBeatles in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make]].
113* TheFarmerAndTheViper: Don't be kind to evil.
114* GoodIsNotSoft: Don't take kindness for weakness.
115* MiseryBuildsCharacter: A little suffering is good for the soul.
116* EnemiesEqualsGreatness: Having enemies is good for you.
117* TheGoldenRule: Do unto others as you would have done unto you.
118* The best ''REAL'' magic is being kind and good to others!
119* TooSmartForStrangers: Don't trust people you don't know, especially if you're a kid.
120* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: Being kind to others doesn't necessarily guarantee that you will be justly rewarded or even appreciated.
121[[/folder]]
122
123[[folder:On Curiosity and Science]]
124* CuriosityKilledTheCast: Curiosity killed the cat.
125** CuriosityIsACrapshoot
126** Curiosity saved the cat.
127* [[IDoNotLikeGreenEggsAndHam Keep an open mind and be willing to try new things]] (like Literature/GreenEggsAndHam) -- maybe you'll like them!
128* There are ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow, and learning about them [[GoMadFromTheRevelation are bad for your sanity and happiness]].
129* ScienceIsBad: Scientific and technological achievements are not always good for our world.
130** ScienceIsWrong: Science doesn't offer any true answers.
131** [[ForScience Science Makes You Crazy]]: Studying science without any regard for morality makes you an {{Evil|Genius}} MadScientist.
132** Alternatively, ScienceIsGood! Every scientific discovery makes us less ignorant and can improve our world.
133*** 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.
134[[/folder]]
135
136[[folder:On Destiny]]
137* BecauseDestinySaysSo: Accept Your Destiny.
138* ScrewDestiny: Shape Your Own Destiny.
139* ThereAreNoCoincidences: Nothing Happens By Chance; Everything Is Destined.
140[[/folder]]
141
142[[folder:On Differences]]
143* PrejudiceAesop: Bigotry and discrimination are stupid and wrong. Treat others with equal dignity and respect.
144** FantasticRacism: A lesson against real-life bigotry, [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything but filtered through (not-so-)subtle allegories and metaphors]].
145** GayAesop: Treat {{UsefulNotes/LGBT}} people with acceptance and tolerance.
146* HandyShortcoming
147* SillyReasonForWar: Your differences are minuscule. Just get along already!
148[[/folder]]
149
150[[folder:On Effort]]
151* If something is worth doing at all, it's worth doing well.
152* Failing Is Better Than Doing Nothing
153* QualityOverQuantity: Few but high-quality trumps many but low-quality.
154* CheatersNeverProsper: People who cheat will ultimately face punishment for doing so.
155* NoChallengeEqualsNoSatisfaction: It's no fun winning unless you actually had to put in an effort.
156* [[TalentedButTrained All the talent in the world won't mean anything if you don't hone it]], unless you're Music/JimiHendrix.
157[[/folder]]
158
159[[folder:On Family]]
160* BabiesMakeEverythingBetter: Having children can improve your relationship.
161* Blood is ThickerThanWater: Your Relatives Are Your Best Friends.
162* ChildrenRaiseYou: Looking after a child can mature you.
163* Family Is A Hindrance: Show The Other Generation What You're Really Worth.
164* WhenYouComingHomeDad: it's important to build bonds and settle differences with ones family while one has the chance.
165[[/folder]]
166
167[[folder:On Force]]
168* {{Forgiveness}}: You should forgive those who wrong you. [[ThisIsUnforgivable Unless]] [[MoralEventHorizon you]] [[BeyondRedemption shouldn't.]]
169** ForgivenButNotForgotten: ...and even if you did, you should never forget what they've done.
170* MightMakesRight: The strongest are the ones who decide what's okay.
171** 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.
172* RevengeIsNotJustice: Two wrongs don't make a right.
173** DisproportionateRetribution: Going over and beyond when it comes to punishing wrongdoers is never good.
174** HeWhoFightsMonsters: Getting revenge will corrupt you.
175** IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim: It's bad to kill a bad person because then you'd be stooping to their level.
176** IfYouTauntHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim: It's bad to get back at a jerk because you'd be stooping to their level.
177** VengeanceFeelsEmpty: Getting revenge won't give you satisfaction you hoped for.
178* TurnTheOtherCheek: Break The CycleOfRevenge.
179* ViolenceReallyIsTheAnswer: Sometimes, people can't be reasoned with through discussion, and psychical force needs to be employed.
180** ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption: Being stronger and more aggressive is the only way to stop an aggressor.
181* True strength is not about who can hit hardest.
182[[/folder]]
183
184[[folder:On Friendship]]
185* ThePowerOfFriendship conquers all.
186* FalseFriend: Well, maybe they weren't really your friends.
187* LonersAreFreaks: If you don't have friends, there's something wrong with you.
188* InTheEndYouAreOnYourOwn: However, even if you have friends they won't always be there, and there's some things [[ThisIsSomethingHesGotToDoHimself you have to do yourself.]]
189* LoonyFriendsImproveYourPersonality: People who are extroverted to the point of being too much to handle can bring you out of your shell.
190* Be a FriendToAllLivingThings
191* SomebodyDoesntLoveRaymond: Not everyone in the world has to like you, for a friend to all is a friend to none.
192* BefriendingTheEnemy: Making friends with an enemy will cause them to change their ways.
193[[/folder]]
194
195[[folder:On Health and Safety]]
196* AntiAlcoholAesop: If you start drinking alcohol, it can have a negative impact on your life.
197* DiseasePreventionAesop: Practice proper hygiene and sanitation, so that you won't catch some nasty infections!
198* DrugsAreBad, [[WesternAnimation/SouthPark mmmkay]]? If you start using recreational substances, it can ruin your life.
199** Or: DrugsAreGood! All of that anti-drug stuff is just propaganda. They really let you achieve HigherUnderstandingThroughDrugs because... uh, reasons?
200* MissedMealAesop: Don't skip a meal.
201* SafeDrivingAesop: Be careful when you drive a vehicle, because it will literally mean the difference between life or death on the road.
202* SelfCareEpiphany: Looking out for others is good and all, but remember to take care of yourself as well.
203* SleepAesop: Get enough sleep!
204* AWeightyAesop: Junk food is bad for you. Eat healthier foods instead, like fruits and vegetables.
205[[/folder]]
206
207[[folder:On Honesty and Integrity]]
208* 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.)
209** TheyreCalledPersonalIssuesForAReason
210** Some things are better left unsaid.
211* HonestAxe: Honesty Is The Best Policy (And Will Totally Get You The InfinityPlusOneSword.)
212* HonestyAesop: Always tell the truth.
213* 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.
214[[/folder]]
215
216[[folder:On Honor]]
217* HonorBeforeReason: The honorable thing to do isn't always the smart thing to do.
218* NotCheatingUnlessYouGetCaught
219* WhatYouAreInTheDark matters.
220[[/folder]]
221
222[[folder:On Immortality]]
223* LivingForeverIsNoBigDeal: Immortality is alright.
224* LivingForeverIsAwesome: Immortality rules!
225* WhoWantsToLiveForever: Immortality sucks!
226[[/folder]]
227
228[[folder:On Initiative]]
229* LeeroyJenkins: Fools rush in.
230* MissedTheCall: He who hesitates is lost.
231[[/folder]]
232
233[[folder:On Intellectualism]]
234* TVGenius, BookDumb, DumbIsGood, BrilliantButLazy: Studying Is Overrated.
235* AwesomeByAnalysis: Knowledge is power.
236[[/folder]]
237
238[[folder:On Intuition and First Impressions]]
239* DontThinkFeel
240* SubvertedSuspicionAesop: Always trust your first impressions.
241* SuspicionAesop: First Impressions Are Misleading. Sometimes things are MoreThanMeetsTheEye.
242[[/folder]]
243
244[[folder:On Justice]]
245* FreudianExcuse: Cut your ArchEnemy some slack -- he had a rough childhood.
246* FreudianExcuseIsNoExcuse: Suffering a traumatic past does not make it okay to do bad things to other people.
247* AsLongAsThereIsOneMan...
248** JusticeWillPrevail,
249** and EvilWillFail, because EvilCannotComprehendGood.
250[[/folder]]
251
252[[folder:On Kinship]]
253* Blood Is ThickerThanWater
254* DoesntTrustThoseGuys: Don't be racist; they can't ''all'' be that bad, despite [[VillainousLineage their relatives all being evil]].
255[[/folder]]
256
257[[folder:On Literature]]
258* Actions Speak Louder Than Words.
259* The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword.
260* InDefenceOfStorytelling: Storytelling has inherent value.
261* ThePowerOfLanguage: Language and writing have power (or, sometimes, are powerless in the end).
262[[/folder]]
263
264[[folder:On Love]]
265* ThePowerOfLove conquers all.
266* WrongGuyFirst: Be careful who you give your heart to.
267* LoveAtFirstSight: You'll ''just know'' when your true love shows up, what with the [[BishieSparkle golden lights]] and [[HeartSymbol floating hearts]] and all.
268* LoveAtFirstPunch: You'll hate each other at first, though.
269* LoveMakesYouCrazy
270* LoveMakesYouDumb: Love can sometimes override common sense.
271* LoveMakesYouEvil: Sometimes, love can bring out [[IfICantHaveYou the]] [[MurderTheHypotenuse worst]] [[StalkerWithACrush in]] [[{{Yandere}} people]].
272* LoveRedeems: Sometimes, love can bring out [[HappilyMarried the]] [[RescueRomance best]] [[CantActPervertedTowardALoveInterest in]] [[BattleCouple people]].
273[[/folder]]
274
275[[folder:On Material Possessions and Wealth]]
276* CapitalismIsBad
277* AllThatGlitters is not gold.
278* GrailInTheGarbage
279* If you choose money over love, you will always be poor.
280* OneMansTrashIsAnothersTreasure: What one person sees as worthless, another may see as valuable.
281* The price of greed is always much higher than any treasure.
282* You can have all the SolidGoldPoop you want, it's [[WorthlessYellowRocks worthless]].
283* WantingIsBetterThanHaving: Getting what you desire can turn out to be worse than simply longing for it.
284* The TrueMeaningOfChristmas: It's better to give than to receive.
285* YouGetWhatYouPayFor
286* AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted
287* A penny saved is a penny earned.
288[[/folder]]
289
290[[folder:On Media and Entertainment]]
291* AntiEscapismAesop: Reality is better than fiction.
292* DigitalPiracyIsEvil: It's wrong to download media without paying for it.
293** DigitalPiracyIsOkay: It's perfectly okay to download media without paying for it.
294* InDefenceOfStoryTelling
295* OldMediaAreEvil
296** NewMediaAreEvil
297** SocialMediaIsBad: It cannot substitute for genuine human relationships and can have bad effects if one obsesses over it.
298* ReadingIsCoolAesop: Reading can be really fun and useful.
299* ThinkOfTheChildren: You are responsible for the kids' well-being, not the media.
300[[/folder]]
301
302[[folder:On the Natural World]]
303* GreenAesop: Earth's natural environment is being threatened by the growth of human civilization, so let's try to protect and save it.
304* NatureIsNotNice: The natural wilderness is a harsh, hostile, and indifferent place where animals suffer and die. And humans are not safe from it either.
305** 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.
306[[/folder]]
307
308[[folder:On Patience]]
309* All Good Things Come To He Who Waits.
310* [[BystanderSyndrome Time and Tide Wait For No Man.]]
311[[/folder]]
312
313[[folder:On Perseverance]]
314* {{Determinator}}: Never give up.
315* EvilIsEasy, but it takes true fortitude to do the right thing.
316* HopeSpringsEternal
317* KnowWhenToFoldEm: Sometimes you have to give up.
318[[/folder]]
319
320[[folder:On Positive and Negative Attitude]]
321* TheAntiNihilist: Life sucks, [[EarnYourHappyEnding but we can make it better]].
322* DeterminedDefeatist: You're bound to fail, but still try anyways.
323* ThePollyanna: Keep a positive attitude in times of peril.
324* SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers: Take off those JadeColoredGlasses and don't be negative.
325* SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids: Being a WideEyedIdealist is foolish.
326[[/folder]]
327
328[[folder:On Power]]
329* 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.
330** WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Because (more often than not), having absolute power may corrupt someone absolutely.
331[[/folder]]
332
333[[folder:On Pride]]
334* [[AGodAmI Don't play God]]; it never ends well.
335* [[PrideBeforeAFall Pride comes before a fall]].
336[[/folder]]
337
338[[folder:On Principle]]
339* You Have To Be Willing To Compromise
340* Stick To Your Guns
341[[/folder]]
342
343[[folder:On Relationships]]
344* BirdsOfAFeather Flock Together.
345** [[FairWeatherFriend ...Until The]] [[BetrayalByInaction Cat Comes.]]
346* OppositesAttract: A couple can fall in love even if they're completely different and have nothing alike.
347[[/folder]]
348
349[[folder:On Sex]]
350* 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."
351* SexEqualsLove (even when it's rape)
352* Love Is Not Sex
353* CantHaveSexEver: Love is more important than sex.
354* VirginityMakesYouStupid, SexAsRiteOfPassage: You aren't an adult until you've had sex.
355[[/folder]]
356
357[[folder:On Specialization]]
358* MasterOfNone: You can do everything, but you can't do everything THAT well if you can't be the JackOfAllTrades.
359* CripplingOverspecialization: You do one thing very well, but you can't do anything else straight.
360[[/folder]]
361
362[[folder:On Spontaneity]]
363* Don't Be Shy
364* Don't Get In Over Your Head
365[[/folder]]
366
367[[folder:On Teamwork]]
368* Two heads are better than one. Many hands make light work.
369* TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup: A project can go awry if there are too many people involved in it.
370[[/folder]]
371
372[[folder:On Time]]
373* Have Fun LikeYouWereDying
374* Work Now To Enjoy A Great Future
375[[/folder]]
376
377[[folder:On War]]
378* WarIsHell: War is just cruel and terrible bloodshed. Can we please give peace a chance?
379** ArmiesAreEvil: Soldiers are [[BlindObedience weak-willed drones]] who exist only to [[RapePillageAndBurn kill and destroy]].
380* WarIsGlorious: War is a heroic and patriotic adventure. Pacifism is for cowardly traitors!
381** StrawCivilian: Civilians are [[DirtyCoward spineless cowards]] who have [[JustForFun/DyingLikeAnimals no sense of duty or responsibility]].
382[[/folder]]
383
384[[folder:On Women]]
385* Treat Girls Nice
386* Treat Girls The Same As Guys
387* ShowingUpChauvinists: Women are at least as competent as men.
388* YouGoGirl: Women are just as good at sports as men.
389* WomenAreWiser: Women have more common sense.
390[[/folder]]
391
392[[folder:The Lessons of History]]
393* ALessonInDefeat: The greatest teacher, failure is.
394* TheDinosaursHadItComing: Immoral behavior is what drives species extinct.
395* HistoryRepeats: Those who [[IgnoredAesop fail to]] [[AesopAmnesia remember history]] are [[HereWeGoAgain doomed to repeat it]].
396[[/folder]]
397
398[[folder:Other Aesops]]
399* Follow TheCardinalVirtues
400* FearIsNormal: It's okay to be scared.
401* Follow the SevenHeavenlyVirtues.
402** Avoid the SevenDeadlySins.
403* WhenLifeGivesYouLemons, make lemonade!
404* MistakesAreNotTheEndOfTheWorld
405* GiveAManAFish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
406* [[ThePresentsWereNeverFromSanta Be careful where you get your power, your validation, and the justification for your actions]].
407* ...And the reason for all the contradictions is the Golden Mean: Nothing In Excess. Everything in moderation, [[GoldenMeanFallacy including moderation]].
408* GoingHomeAgain after flunking the big leagues allows you to reconnect with your loved ones.
409* You will never truly learn your lesson if you don't pay the price.
410[[/folder]]
411
412[[/index]]
413----
414For every proverb, there is an equal and opposite proverb.

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