| 1 | %%% |
| 2 | %% |
| 3 | %%This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order. Thanks! |
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| 6 | |
| 7 | [[quoteright:300:[[ComicBook/AllStarSuperman https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/allstarsuperman_1230.jpg]]]] |
| 8 | [[caption-width-right:300:You should trust him. After all, he's ComicBook/{{Superman}}.]] |
| 9 | %% |
| 10 | |
| 11 | ->''"Gohan, let it go... It is not a sin to fight for the right cause. There are those who words alone will not reach. Cell is such a being. I know how you feel, Gohan. You are gentle. You do not like to hurt. I know because I too have learnt these feelings. But it is because you cherish life that you must protect it... Please, drop your restraints. Protect the life I loved. You have the strength, my scanners sensed it. Just... ''[smiles]'' let it go."'' |
| 12 | -->-- '''Android 16''', his last words, ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' |
| 13 | |
| 14 | Sometimes a character (usually the protagonist) feels like he is worthless, and does not belong somewhere they value and [[ThenLetMeBeEvil is fit only to be a villain]], no matter how much the idea frightens him. |
| 15 | |
| 16 | Eventually, their friends or mentors learn what is troubling him and comfort him saying something along the lines of, "Don't be so hard on yourself. You are better than you think you are, and we are going to prove it." |
| 17 | |
| 18 | When that challenger proves it with irrefutable evidence, the hero ends up feeling much better with the knowledge that someone he deeply respects believes in him more than he did himself. |
| 19 | |
| 20 | ThePowerOfFriendship and PowerOfTrust may come into play. Sometimes, though, you'll need a MagicFeather or maybe a MotivationalLie to pull it off. A character may come to this realization after facing a situation that tests WhatYouAreInTheDark. |
| 21 | |
| 22 | Similarly, a NaiveNewcomer and CowardlyLion may have a sager character explain that fear is not proof that they are cowards; only the FearlessFool really feels no fear. This trope may be used as a form of InterruptedSuicide. |
| 23 | |
| 24 | For the opposite, see HeelRealization or ThenLetMeBeEvil, though these alternatives may be reversed by helping the victim over their guilt to facilitate a HeelFaceTurn. When a character has to be constantly reminded of this, they usually suffer from HeroicSelfDeprecation. Compare YouAreNotAlone, LifeSavingEncouragement, FearIsNormal, RousingSpeech. |
| 25 | |
| 26 | See DontSaySuchStupidThings for a [[{{Tsundere}} rougher]] version, and for the inverse, see TheReasonYouSuckSpeech (which is usually directed at a SmallNameBigEgo). This is also a sort-of inversion of the DeclarationOfPersonalIndependence, in which the character assures others that they are strong. May overlap with ReformationAcknowledgement. |
| 27 | |
| 28 | ---- |
| 29 | !!Example Subpages: |
| 30 | [[index]] |
| 31 | * YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre/AnimeAndManga |
| 32 | * YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre/FanWorks |
| 33 | * YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre/LiveActionTV |
| 34 | * YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre/VideoGames |
| 35 | * YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre/VisualNovels |
| 36 | * YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre/WesternAnimation |
| 37 | [[/index]] |
| 38 | |
| 39 | !!Other Examples: |
| 40 | |
| 41 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 42 | |
| 43 | [[folder:Advertising]] |
| 44 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpaOjMXyJGk&feature=player_embedded In this Dove ad]], a forensic sketch artist for the FBI asks a series of women to describe themselves while he sketches them. Then, with the women never having seen the sketch, they leave and the sketch artist asks another person to describe the same woman. Both sketches are placed side by side and put on display. Cue images of the women looking amazed at how much more attractive the second sketch makes them look. Tagline: "You are more beautiful than you think." |
| 45 | [[/folder]] |
| 46 | |
| 47 | [[folder:Audio Plays]] |
| 48 | * ''AudioPlay/BigFinishDoctorWho'': |
| 49 | ** "[[Recap/BigFinishDoctorWho029TheChimesOfMidnight The Chimes at Midnight]]" rests its climax on one of these. [[spoiler:The villain of the piece is a sentient time loop generated from the suicide of Edith Thompson, a scullery maid who served the Doctor's companion, Charley. Edith had a very poor life of being told she was "nothing and no one" by her employers and considered Charley her only friend, so when Charley died in an airship crash, Edith killed herself - only the Doctor saved Charley from said crash, creating the paradox. Charley manages to vanquish the villain by convincing the time-locked Edith that she ''is'' important and ''will'' be remembered, preventing the suicide from ever happening.]] |
| 50 | ** The Master, of all characters, gets such a moment in "The Good Master", where he encounters the so-called Heart of Arcking, a powerful telephatic creature. The Heart reads his mind, and tells him that -- in spite of himself -- there is still some good buried deep within in him. This being the Master, who prides himself on being a [[CardCarryingVillain Card-Carrying]] EvilOverlord, the idea triggers a minor existential crisis in him, and he denies it verhemently. |
| 51 | [[/folder]] |
| 52 | |
| 53 | [[folder:Comic Books]] |
| 54 | * ''ComicBook/BrightestDay'': Dove tells Boston Brand (the now alive ComicBook/{{Deadman}}) this after he deflects her questions about his past life with claims that he wasn't anyone special. |
| 55 | * This is what Buzzard tells ComicBook/TheGoon in the issue Buzzard first appears: |
| 56 | -->'''Buzzard:''' You are better than you think you are. |
| 57 | * ''ComicBook/IKillGiants'' has the central message that "We're stronger than we think". |
| 58 | * ''ComicBook/TheMightyThor'' |
| 59 | ** ''ComicBook/JourneyIntoMysteryGillen'' has the following exchange between Thor and the mostly-innocent, mostly-amnesiac child incarnation of Loki that came into existence after the old Loki's death during ''Siege'': |
| 60 | -->'''Thor:''' You are not as wicked as they think.\ |
| 61 | '''Loki:''' I'd have to try terribly hard to be [[MoralEventHorizon that]] terrible. |
| 62 | ** During the time when Thor was unworthy of his hammer after Nick Fury whispered a secret to him, ComicBook/BetaRayBill was the first person he shared that secret with; [[spoiler:"Gorr was right", referring to the belief of Gorr the God Butcher that all gods were unworthy of worship and would always fail the mortals]]. Despite this, Bill encouraged Thor to consider that he was better than the other gods as he kept fighting for what was right even without his hammer, suggesting that his friend define himself as ''Thor'' rather than as a god. |
| 63 | * ''ComicBook/TheInternship'': |
| 64 | ** [[spoiler: River gives this to Cooper at the end of Volume 3. By the end of the Volume, both have significantly opened up to one another and become more comfortable with one another. River outright tells Coop to take the night to talk with Andy and settle things before finally helping them. When Coop points out he hasn’t done anything yet, River says otherwise, saying he’s done more than he realizes.]] |
| 65 | ** [[spoiler: Coop then gives this to Andy in the first quarter of Volume 4. Andy confesses to Cooper that he sees himself as, in his words, “boringly unremarkable”. He’s not masculine or muscular like Coop or Emery, nor is he pretty and slim like River is. Andy says that, compared to the aforementioned 3, he’s nothing and questions why Coop would even be into him. Cooper stops him and tells him Andy being Andy is exactly what he needs. He tells him that if it weren’t for Andy being exactly who he is, Cooper, given his past, might not even be alive right now. So, Andy should just be himself and never look back. It’s exactly what Andy needs to hear. And then the two proceed to really have sex (anal) for the first time. How’s that for CharacterDevelopment?]] |
| 66 | * ''ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica'' did a scene similar to the one from ''ComicBook/AllStarSuperman''. When the Superman from ''ComicBook/KingdomCome'' ends up in the main DCU, he tries to leave the Justice Society's headquarters. The Society believes Superman is trying to escape, even throwing off Starman's gravity powers, when in reality he can hear a suicidal teenager about to kill herself. He's not able to stop the girl from jumping off the building, but he does catch her in his arms and tells her it does no good to give up. |
| 67 | * This from the ''ComicBook/MegaManArchieComics'' comics, in a shoutout to Music/TheMegas: |
| 68 | -->'''Dr. Light:''' I made you in my image. I built your heart and gave you eyes. I gave you power and a sense of justice beyond any compare... I gave you hands, a child's face... Heh... Robot hair. But this burden, the burning in your heart, I did not put there. |
| 69 | * ''ComicBook/ThePowerpuffGirls'' #20, "Bow Jest" (DC run) has Blossom's psyche and confidence shattered when she loses her hair bow. Mojo steals it, thinking it possesses some type of power if losing it can turn Blossom into a sobbing mess. Suddenly, Bubbles (of all people) clocks Mojo, slams the bow back on Blossom's head, and dresses her down: |
| 70 | -->'''Bubbles:''' It's just a stupid bow! You're ''still'' a Powerpuff Girl whether you have it or not! |
| 71 | * Marvel has an unusual example in the ComicBook/RedSkull's origin story. Depending on your point of view, the trope is either played totally straight or ''very'' darkly subverted. As a young man, before he joined the Nazis, the Skull was a miserable loner who had failed at everything he tried and felt completely worthless, to the point of considering suicide. But then he met Hitler, who saw in him a "man of worth" and persuaded him that the new Germany he was building needed men like him. It was the great turning point in his life. |
| 72 | * ''ComicBook/{{Saga}}'' manages to pull it off in one word: |
| 73 | -->'''Sophie:''' I am all dirty on the inside because I did bad things with...\ |
| 74 | '''[[LivingLieDetector Lying Cat]]:''' LYING\ |
| 75 | ''(Sophie hugs Lying Cat)'' |
| 76 | * ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'': [[spoiler:In issue 276, Rotor's abusive father, Tundra, is revealed to be an Egg Boss and still shows him no respect for choosing to be an inventor. Rotor undergoes HeroicBSOD over this but Sonic snaps him out of it by stating he's more a man than his father by choosing to oppose Eggman rather than rolling over.]] |
| 77 | * ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': |
| 78 | ** Here's an interesting take on it: After ComicBook/DoctorOctopus severely injured the Black Cat, Spider-Man gives the villain the beating of his life. Doc Ock loses his confidence as a result, becoming a cowardly shell of his former self, unable to fight, with a bad case of arachnophobia. Eventually, Octopus tries to kill his foe indirectly, sabotaging a nuclear reactor -- which would kill everyone in New York, unfortunately. But after his out-of-control tentacles let him defeat the hero -- by accident -- Spidey convinces him to shut the reactor down so that there'd be witnesses to know of his "great triumph". And it works. Ock gains his confidence back, thinking he is letting the hero live with the humiliation by sparing him. (To Spider-Man, pride isn't an issue when the whole city is at stake.) |
| 79 | ** Years later, Doc Ock would do the reverse to Spidey in ''ComicBook/SuperiorSpiderMan''. Earlier, he had convinced [[spoiler:the remains of Peter's "spirit"]] that he was unsuited to be Spider-Man for endangering a child. Sometime later, thanks to the Goblin King, Ock encountered that same child and was ready to abandon her [[spoiler:before the spirit came roaring back]], forcing Otto to save her, telling him that when there's trouble, you don't plan, you just do the thing you think is right. Otto comes to realize that the real Superior Spider-Man really was Peter Parker because, while Otto was an arrogant man who overcompensated for his failings, Peter was a man who sabotaged himself because he never felt worthy of the greatness he could have deserved. [[spoiler:He then erases his memories and personality from Peter's mind, giving him control once more and asking him to save the woman he fell in love with.]] |
| 80 | * ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'': |
| 81 | ** ''ComicBook/AllStarSuperman'' has Kal-El express this sentiment to a [[http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv205/haven_bucket/1245822166636.jpg?t=1246328571 suicidal teenager.]] |
| 82 | ** At the climax of ''ComicBook/SupermanBrainiac'', ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} is given the speech by her cousin: |
| 83 | --->'''Superman:''' I'll handle him. You need to do something else. Brainiac's fired some kind of weapon at the Sun. Kara. Whatever is heading towards the Sun, you need to stop it. If it gets there, it's going to trigger a supernova. And that fire will engulf the Earth.\ |
| 84 | '''Supergirl:''' I-I'm not fast enough.\ |
| 85 | '''Superman:''' Yes, you are.\ |
| 86 | '''Supergirl:''' I can't do it.\ |
| 87 | '''Superman:''' Yes, you can.\ |
| 88 | '''Supergirl:''' I'm scared.\ |
| 89 | '''Superman:''' It's okay to be scared. |
| 90 | ** At the beginning of the ''ComicBook/TheFinalDaysOfSuperman'' storyline, Superman asks her to take over when he's gone. |
| 91 | --->'''Superman:''' You can do this. You're so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Sure, our family shield can be a target. But it's also a badge of honor that I know you wear proudly each and every day. |
| 92 | ** In ''ComicBook/RedDaughterOfKrypton'', when [[Franchise/GreenLantern Guy Gardner]] is trying to talk Kara into leaving the Red Lantern Corps, she argues that she can't stop being a Red Lantern, and she doesn't belong anywhere else. Guy replies she can find her way because she's stronger than them and stronger than she thinks. |
| 93 | --->'''Supergirl:''' But even if I do go... the Ring... I can't take it off. I'm a Red forever. Without you and the others, how will I -- What am I supposed to do?\ |
| 94 | '''Guy:''' You'll find your way. You're strong, Kara. You didn't choose this life, but I've seen enough in our time together to know that you can make something of it. You're better than all of us. |
| 95 | ** ''ComicBook/TheSupergirlFromKrypton2004'': Darkseid kidnaps and brainwashes Kara to become his servant. After being rescued Kara fears that her brain-washed, evil self is her real self. His cousin insists he ''knows'' that she's a good person. |
| 96 | --->'''Supergirl:''' Honestly...? I'm... torn. I remember what Darkseid turned me into —\ |
| 97 | '''Superman:''' ... We've been over this, Kara. Darkseid lives for manipulation. He has magics at his disposal. Hypnotists. Scientists whose only function is to break your spirit. Ask Barda if you want to hear the horror stories she and Scott suffered through. Darkseid IS evil.\ |
| 98 | '''Supergirl:''' But... Did he influence me... or bring out a darkness that is already there?\ |
| 99 | '''Superman:''' I already know that answer. |
| 100 | ** In ''[[http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com.es/2013/12/back-issue-holiday-box-dcu-infinite.html DCU Infinite Holiday Special issue #1]]'', Supergirl must reunite a little girl with her father. Though the man is a jerkass drunk who doesn't want to see his daughter because he doesn't want her to realize her father is a screw-up. Supergirl convinces him maybe he can fix things, but only if he tries. |
| 101 | --->'''Supergirl:''' You know the cliché, Fred. Everyone does. "When you're about to die, your life flashes in front of your eyes." But I've been there, and it's crap... isn't it? You see '''something''', though. You see the '''holes'''... the '''missing bits'''. And all of the things that '''would''' have made your life '''complete''', if you had one more year... a day... a '''second'''. I don't know what you saw, Fred, but considering you were in free fall for a solid minute, I bet it was an eyeful. Maybe you are a screw-up. A loser. A '''drunk'''. But maybe, the piece you're missing... can make you something better. But only if you go to her, and try. Merry Christmas, Fred. Hope it's a good one. |
| 102 | ** In ''ComicBook/Injustice2'' issue #26, Damian thinks he's become nothing but a soldier following orders of his madman of a grandfather. Kara disagrees. |
| 103 | --->'''Damian:''' Kara. I'm... not a good person.\ |
| 104 | '''Kara:''' Nonsense.\ |
| 105 | '''Damian:''' You don't know me. You don't know--\ |
| 106 | '''Kara:''' Your grandfather wants to kill millions. Your father is the Batman-- evil incarnate as I understand it. Your mother?\ |
| 107 | '''Damian:''' She's an assassin.\ |
| 108 | '''Kara:''' Of course she is. Damian. Your family sounds like pure evil. But I've known you for less than a day, and in that time I've already seen you willing to sacrifice your life for a stranger. You don't have to go back to them. |
| 109 | ** In ''ComicBook/Supergirl2005'' #34, after reading Cat Grant's slander, Kara wonders if that woman may be right and [[http://s179.photobucket.com/user/airhikec001/media/blog/comics/pages/Supergirl34_worthy.jpg.html she is worthy of the S-shield]]. [[http://s179.photobucket.com/user/airhikec001/media/blog/comics/pages/Supergirl34_coffeegrin.jpg.html Superman's reply is automatic]]: |
| 110 | --->'''Supergirl:''' Is she right, Kal? Am I "a tarted-up teenager in a short skirt and cape with some to prove"? Am I "not worthy of the legacy of Superman"?\ |
| 111 | '''Superman:''' I think you're more than worthy. |
| 112 | ** In ''ComicBook/ShouldAuldAcquaintanceBeForgot'', a RetGone Supergirl reminds ComicBook/{{Deadman}} that he doesn't need the glory of superheroing -- he does it because it's the right thing to do. |
| 113 | --->'''Kara:''' You're only human. You ''are'' still human, Boston. Don't be ashamed in it; ''rejoice'' in it. Because it means your spirit -- as flawed or selfish as our spirits can sometimes be -- is still ''alive''. |
| 114 | ** In ''ComicBook/TheKillersOfKrypton'', Kara tries to talk her mindless clones out of fighting her by stating they can overcome their programming and fight their rage and pain. Unfortunately, it does not work. |
| 115 | --->'''Supergirl:''' All of you, wait! If there is any true part of me within you, let it hear me! Fight your rage. Fight your pain. This is not who you-- who we-- are. There is always a way out. There is hope. I want to help you! Will you let me? |
| 116 | * ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' has Kid Devil, who tried desperately to be a good superhero but always felt like the weakest link of the team because of a string of losses. It came to a head when Clock King kidnapped and brainwashed him into fighting in a teenage superhero bloodsport and almost killing someone. Miss Martian managed to snap him out of it by reminding him of his dream to be a hero and what a sweet, earnest person he truly is. |
| 117 | * ''ComicBook/TheTransformersIDW'''s comic has the noble Wing from ''Spotlight: Drift'' try to teach this to the Decepticon [[{{Mook}} Deadlock]]. It eventually worked, and Deadlock became Drift. |
| 118 | ** A later issue has Optimus himself suffering doubt about whether he deserved the Matrix, due to a particularly nasty TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Megatron. After two issues of agnonising, he talks with Ratchet about this. Ratchet just smiles and says that if Optimus had wanted to know so badly, he could've asked him. |
| 119 | ** In an issue of ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'', Cyclonus tells Swerve, in no uncertain terms, [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech that he's kind of a dick]].[[note]]"Your humor is cruel and usually at other people's expense. You're a passive-aggressive rumormonger who avoids meaningful work, and your 'pranks' are foolish and often dangerous."[[/note]] However, he then notes that when it was discovered that [[spoiler:he was locked in a self-imposed LotusEaterMachine]], ''everyone came looking for him'', so he must be doing ''something'' right, even if that something is as simple as "[[TheBartender he knows where the keys to the bar are kept]]". |
| 120 | ** During ''ComicBook/TheTransformersDarkCybertron'' [[spoiler:Orion Pax]] has denounced the name [[spoiler:Optimus Prime]] because he believes he is just one more link in a chain of [[spoiler:Primes]] that have become increasingly corrupt. Rodimus explains to him that his desire to be a [[spoiler:Prime]] was not about the title, but that he wanted to be [[spoiler:''Optimus'']], because no matter what the [[spoiler:past Primes]] did and that he was better than them. [[spoiler:This gave him the confidence to [[HesBack reclaim his name and become Optimus Prime once again]] and defeat Nemesis Prime]]. |
| 121 | * ComicBook/WonderWoman uses this quite often, and it is exceptionally effective because of her nature as a truth seer. Not only does she easily get most normal criminals to turn themselves in just by talking to them she's also reformed several super-villains just by letting them know their worries are not foolish but are unfounded and they are loved and special. This is part of why her rogues gallery is less known; people don't often stay in it too long. |
| 122 | * Interactions between Nightcrawler and Wolverine in ''ComicBook/XMen'' and Wolverine had this nuance. At one point, Nightcrawler told the manageress of a bar "the only thing that is hard is Logan's skeleton and claws, the rest is an honorable man ..." Logan is there. |
| 123 | [[/folder]] |
| 124 | |
| 125 | [[folder:Films -- Animation]] |
| 126 | * ''WesternAnimation/ABugsLife'': Flik's TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Hopper doubles as this trope to his colony, and how the ants are not as weak and low-class as Hopper proclaims. In fact, it's because the ants are so much stronger that the grasshoppers depend on them for food in the first place. |
| 127 | ** Earlier in the film, Flik suffers a HeroicBSOD on the circus wagon when he's banished from the colony for having lied about the circus bugs being warrior bugs, lamenting that the fake bird that he and the colony worked together to build was doomed to fail, as was he. Manny's the first to speak up. |
| 128 | --->'''Manny:''' "You listen to me, my boy. I've made a living out of being a failure, and you, sir, are NOT a failure!" |
| 129 | ** Manny's initial speech doesn't work, and Flik remains deep in his funk. Then, Dot arrives and informs Flik that Hopper plans on squishing the Queen. When she realizes Flik has lost his motivation, she brings him a pebble and tells him to, [[MeaningfulEcho "Pretend it's a seed, okay?"]]. It works. |
| 130 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}'': [[spoiler:After learning that ''he'' is Miguel's great-great-grandfather and not Ernesto, who poisoned him and caused his family to think he abandoned them for selfish goals, Hector decries he's a sorry excuse for a great-great-grandpa. Miguel responds that Hector is a total upgrade from when he thought he was related to a murderer. When that doesn't work, he says this and it snaps Hector out of his depression.]] |
| 131 | -->My whole life, there's been something that made me different... and I never knew where it came from. But now I know. It comes from you. I'm proud we're family! |
| 132 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Encanto}}'': Mirabel displays this trope on several occasions: |
| 133 | ** During "What Else Can I Do?" when Isabel breaks out of her "perfect daughter" persona, Mirabel's line, "All I know are the blossoms you grow, but it's awesome to see how you rise," leads to the sisters' true reconciliation. |
| 134 | ** After Abuela's HeelRealization moment, Mirabel is there to assure her: |
| 135 | --->"We were saved because of you. We were given a miracle because of you. We are a family because of you. And nothing could ever be broken that we can't fix together." |
| 136 | ** In "All of You", Mirabel flat out declares this trope to the whole family: |
| 137 | --->"But the stars don't shine, they burn\ |
| 138 | And the constellations shift.\ |
| 139 | I think it's time you learned\ |
| 140 | You are more than just your gift." |
| 141 | ** Mirabel gives a minor one to Bruno before his vision. |
| 142 | --->"I don't think you make bad things happen. Sometimes family weirdos just get a bad rap. You can do this." |
| 143 | * ''WesternAnimation/Frozen2013'': |
| 144 | ** When Elsa is about to kill one of the soldiers (who just tried to kill ''her''), Prince Hans uses this to call her out and stop her from stepping over the MoralEventHorizon. |
| 145 | --->'''Prince Hans:''' Don't be the monster they fear you are. |
| 146 | ** Also her sister Anna tries to convince her that she actually can control her powers and end the winter. [[spoiler:At the end of the film, this happens to be true and Anna says "I knew you could do it."]] |
| 147 | ** "Frozen Heart" at the beginning of the film says as much as well: "This icy force both foul and fair / Has a frozen heart worth mining." |
| 148 | * ''Franchise/HowToTrainYourDragon'': |
| 149 | ** [[WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon2010 The first movie]]: |
| 150 | *** Astrid says this in a roundabout way to Hiccup when she explains why she asked her ArmorPiercingQuestion, "Because I want to remember what you say, RIGHT NOW." Translated: "Because you are a powerful Viking warrior of legend in your own way, and what you say now is likely going to be the stuff of a great saga." |
| 151 | *** And: |
| 152 | ---->'''Hiccup:''' 300 years and I'm the first Viking who wouldn't kill a dragon!\ |
| 153 | '''Astrid:''' [[spoiler:...First to RIDE one, though.]] |
| 154 | ** In the third installment, ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragonTheHiddenWorld'', when Toothless is captured by Grimmel the Grisly, Hiccup feels as much of a failure as he’s ever been. Astrid once again acts as Hiccup’s rock, reminding him of what he’s capable of. |
| 155 | --->'''Astrid:''' Well, you're right. You're back to where you started. But I was the first to believe in you. And I have watched you doubt whether you’re worthy ever since. But you know what? I am the person I am today because of you. I never told you that, but it's true. You are the bravest, most stubborn, most determined knucklehead I know. Toothless didn't give you that, Hiccup. He just made it...\ |
| 156 | '''Hiccup:''' ''Easier.''\ |
| 157 | '''Astrid:''' And now it’s gonna be a lot harder. So... what’re you gonna ''do'' about it?\ |
| 158 | '''Hiccup:''' [[CallBack Probably something stupid.]]\ |
| 159 | '''Astrid:''' [[HesBack That’s the Hiccup I know.]] |
| 160 | * In ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'', Violet, who had been kicking herself over not being able to make a force field big enough to protect them when they were on the plane, gets one from Helen which in turn, seems to help her [[CharacterDevelopment to try find her confidence.]] |
| 161 | -->'''Violet:''' Mom, what happened on the plane. I'm sorry. I wanted to help. When you asked me to... I'm sorry. |
| 162 | -->'''Helen:''' Shhhh... It isn't your fault. It wasn't fair for me to suddenly ask so much of you. But things are different now, and doubt is a luxury we can't afford anymore, sweetie. You have more power than you realize. Don't think, and don't worry. If the time comes, you'll know what to do. It's in your blood. |
| 163 | * ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZimEnterTheFlorpus'' has Gaz give one of these speeches when Dib is [[HeroicBSOD despairing]] after [[spoiler:they're locked up in Moo-Ping 10]], albeit in her [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold own tough way]]: |
| 164 | -->'''Gaz:''' You're my brother, man. I only torment you because I know you can handle it. I've done way worse than [[spoiler:throwing you in a space prison]]. This is nothing. Get up! |
| 165 | * ''WesternAnimation/JimmyNeutronBoyGenius'': After Jimmy and the kids get captured and thrown in a dungeon by [[BigBad King Goobot]], Jimmy suffers a HeroicBSOD upon realizing it's his fault the Yolkians made contact with Earth. To get him to help them escape, Cindy tries to cheer him up in her own way and spills some of her own insecurities in the process. |
| 166 | * In ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda1'', when Shifu realizes the way to train Po, he all but says "You have had the potential all along and you ''will'' become better than you think you are." |
| 167 | * In ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'', Simba is reminded by the ghost of his late father that "you are more than what you have become." |
| 168 | * In ''WesternAnimation/Luck2022'', [[spoiler: Sam goes through a [[HeroicBsoD Heroic BsoD]] when her attempt at sending only good luck to the Human World caused the bad luck pump to explode, which sent only bad luck to the Randomizer, caused it to shut down, and took away Hazel's guaranteed chance to get adopted. Bob manages to get Sam out of it with this kind of speech. He tells her that even though she has [[BornUnlucky bad luck]], she's a good person because she's selfless, wants good things for others, and that Hazel is the luckiest girl in the world because she has Sam as her friend.]] |
| 169 | * In ''WesternAnimation/{{Moana}}'', Moana delivers one of these to Maui after [[spoiler:he explains the story of how his parents abandoned him as a baby, and he feels like he'd be worthless without his powers]]. She encourages him by saying that the gods must've seen something about Maui himself that was worthwhile, and this marks a turning point in their relationship. |
| 170 | ** [[spoiler:She does it again in the climax, with Te KaTe Fiti:]] |
| 171 | -->[[IWillFindYou I have crossed the horizon to find you]]\ |
| 172 | I know your name\ |
| 173 | [[EmptyShell They have stolen the heart from inside you]]\ |
| 174 | [[DefiedTrope But this does not define you]]\ |
| 175 | This is not who you are\ |
| 176 | You know who you are |
| 177 | * In ''WesternAnimation/MonstersUniversity'', Mike realizes that he cannot overcome his shortcomings, that is, his lack of natural Scarer talent, despite his lifelong love and desire for Scaring. Sulley has this to say. |
| 178 | -->'''Sulley:''' Mike, you're not scary, not even a little bit, but you are fearless. |
| 179 | * When ''WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}}'' returns home after running away to join the Army, she first meets her father and gives her father the sword of the Hun Leader Shan-Yu and the Crest of the Emperor as gifts to honor the family. His reaction: |
| 180 | -->'''Fa Zhou:''' ''(throws the gifts aside and hugs her)'' The greatest gift and honor is having you for a daughter. |
| 181 | * ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsFriendshipGames'': Despite successfully [[TheAtoner earning everybody's trust back]] in the [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks previous film]], Sunset Shimmer needs to be reassured several times by her friends of her worth. Rarity even says "what we needed to defeat [the Sirens] was you" when Sunset undergoes some HeroicSelfDeprecation. It works, since Sunset channels ThePowerOfFriendship through Human Twilight's amulet to [[spoiler:enter a GoldenSuperMode as Daydream Shimmer to combat SuperpoweredEvilSide Midnight Sparkle]]. |
| 182 | * At the end of ''WesternAnimation/ThePeanutsMovie'', Charlie Brown thinks that [[spoiler:The Little Red-Haired Girl]] chose him as their summer pen pal out of pity because he's "an insecure, wishy-washy failure". Linus tells him that he should consider the possibility that he's a good person and people like him. [[spoiler:When he finally talks to her about it, she tells him it wasn't out of pity and that's not what he is at all. She wanted to be his pen pal because he's a good, honest, kind, brave person, citing all the things she's seen him do over the school year such as doing their book report by himself while she was away taking care of her grandmother, helping Sally salvage her act at the talent show, and confessing to everyone about his state exam getting mixed up with Peppermint Patty's.]] |
| 183 | * ''[[WesternAnimation/PoohsGrandAdventure Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin]]'': "Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." |
| 184 | * The song "Through Heaven's Eyes" from ''WesternAnimation/ThePrinceOfEgypt'' is one long version of this, sung by Jethro to Moses to knock him out of his depression. |
| 185 | * The main theme and message in ''WesternAnimation/PussInBoots'' involving the three central characters. |
| 186 | * In ''WesternAnimation/RobinHood1973'', Robin is unhappy because his status as an outlaw means he can't possibly have a future wiith Maid Marian. Friar Tucker happens by and tries to uplift him; |
| 187 | -->'''Friar Tuck:''' Oh, for Heaven's sake, son! You're no outlaw! Why, someday you'll be called a great hero!\ |
| 188 | '''Robin:''' ''(Amused)'' [[IgnorantOfTheCall A hero?]] Did you hear that, Johnny? We've just been pardoned!\ |
| 189 | '''Little John:''' ''(Laughing)'' Oh, that's a gas! We ain't even been arrested yet! |
| 190 | * In ''WesternAnimation/RugratsGoWild'', Tommy receives reassurance from the other kids after they get stuck in a cave: |
| 191 | -->'''Tommy:''' Angelica was right. I am just a backyard baby with a diapie full of dreams. |
| 192 | -->'''Susie:''' No, you're not. Tommy, you took us through the drainforest all by yourself! |
| 193 | -->'''Kimi:''' And led us up the side of the mountain. |
| 194 | -->'''Lil:''' And you founded Nigel Strawberry. |
| 195 | -->'''Chuckie:''' And you saved me from the giant kitty cat. |
| 196 | -->'''Phil:''' Oh, you got lots more than dreams in your diapie, Tommy. |
| 197 | -->''(the kids stare awkwardly at Phil, who shrugs with confusion)'' |
| 198 | * A fair chunk of ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' consists of people telling this to Miles Morales. After [[spoiler:his uncle's death, and his father's heartfelt speech about the "spark" he sees in Miles]], [[TookALevelInBadass he starts listening.]] |
| 199 | * While not outright stated, the sense of this trope is there in ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'', when Flynn Rider tells Rapunzel why he changed his name from [[spoiler:Eugene Fitzherbert]]: He was a lonely kid in an orphanage, and wanted to be a cool LoveableRogue thief, like his favorite character. Rapunzel tells him she likes his real name better, and she is implied to be the first person who liked him for himself. |
| 200 | ** He repays her by [[spoiler:cutting her hair, ruining its rejuvenating magic and freeing her of it.]] |
| 201 | * In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory1'', Buzz realizing that yes, he ''is'' a toy, not a space ranger, sends him into a HeroicBSOD. He doesn't even care when [[KidsAreCruel Sid]] straps large firework to his back. However, Woody explaining that Andy loves him ''because'' Buzz is a toy -- a cool toy, with lots of awesome features that Woody can't compare to -- snaps him out of it. |
| 202 | * In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory4'', Woody comforts a heartbroken Gabby Gabby after she was rejected by Harmony, by telling her that there are plenty of children out there who would want to have and cherish a doll like her. And when she expresses nervousness about getting adopted by the lost girl, Woody gently encourages her by telling her the exact same words she told him before he willingly sacrificed his voicebox to repair her, "[[MeaningfulEcho This is the most noble thing a toy can do.]]" |
| 203 | * In ''WesternAnimation/TreasurePlanet'', Silver gives an ''awesome'' one of these to Jim. John Musker based it on a particularly strong pep talk from his high school football coach that ended with both of them in tears. |
| 204 | * In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', when Mei returns to the spirit world after performing the panda ritual on Ming, she meets her mother as a little girl, [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone crying over the fact that she scarred her mother in a violent rage because she felt that she could never be perfect enough for her]]. Realizing that they're [[NotSoDifferentRemark not so different]], Mei comforts her and tells her that she's perfect enough before walking her back to her family's embrace. |
| 205 | -->'''Mei:''' I know it feels that way, like, all the time. But... ''it isn't true''. |
| 206 | * ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'': When Ralph is thrown into the Fungeon with Fix-It Felix, he tells Felix that he tried running away and being a good guy by going to Hero's Duty and taking the medal; Ralph asks Felix to fix Vanellope's cart, which he agrees to do. Later on, when the Cy-Bug has turned into an invasive swarm, Ralph punches the Mentos mints into the diet cola fountain, telling himself "I'm bad, and that's good! I will never be good, and that's not bad! There's no-one I'd rather be... than me." Ralph ends up becoming a hero to Vanellope, the other Sugar Rush racers and inhabitants by saving their game, with the Nicelanders treating him with more respect and consideration, and he even helps out unemployed video game characters to make special cameo guest appearances in Niceland. |
| 207 | -->'''Ralph:''' If that little kid likes me, how bad can I be? |
| 208 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'': When Nick tells Judy [[ThenLetMeBeEvil he became a shifty and untrustworthy fox]] because [[FantasticRacism that's what society expects him to be and there's no point in trying to be anything else]], Judy tells him she can see he's much more than that. |
| 209 | [[/folder]] |
| 210 | |
| 211 | [[folder:Films -- Live-Action]] |
| 212 | * In ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'', when Spider-Man rescues bullied geek Max Dillon at the beginning, Max is amazed and asks why the hero would bother saving a nobody like him. Spider-Man replies that he's not a nobody, he's a somebody. Unfortunately, Max is a stalker, and this furthers his obsession with Spider-Man, having deluded himself into thinking he's Spider-Man's best friend. |
| 213 | * ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'': When Batman gives Selina the Bat-Pod so she can open a tunnel out of the city and help people escape, she says she'll open the tunnel, but [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere she's leaving Gotham for good and going on her own]]. |
| 214 | -->'''Batman:''' There's more to you than that.\ |
| 215 | '''Selina:''' (''voice breaking'') Sorry to keep letting you down. |
| 216 | ** Of course, [[spoiler:this does inspire her [[ChangedMyMindKid to come back]] and save his life]]. |
| 217 | * ''Film/DemonKnight'': One character tries to refuse a TakeUpMySword moment because she thinks she's not the right kind of person for it. The other character asks her if the BigBad, a powerful demon, tried to tempt her with a DealWithTheDevil. She admits he tried. The other character points out she's '''exactly''' the right kind of person for the job, since she had the strength of character to refuse the deal. |
| 218 | * The effects are subverted in ''Film/DinnerForSchmucks''. When Tim finally explains to [[CloudCuckoolander Barry]] that the dinner's trophy is actually to be awarded to the most pathetic person there, Barry mistakes his You Are Better Than You Think You Are speech [[ComicallyMissingThePoint as telling him he's failed at being the biggest loser]] and thus winning the contest. |
| 219 | * ''Film/EverythingEverywhereAllAtOnce'': This is how Evelyn is ultimately able to befriend [[spoiler:Deirdre, the IRS auditor who'd been giving her grief the entire movie. When Evelyn has a breakdown and seems to completely blow her chances at saving her business and her marriage, Deirdre is [[PetTheDog surprisingly understanding]], since she also did some crazy things when her marriage fell apart. She then tries to comfort Evelyn by sardonically noting that, "Unlovable bitches like us make the world go 'round." Evelyn, taken aback, rejects this notion.]] |
| 220 | -->'''Evelyn:''' You are ''not'' unlovable. There is ''always'' something to love. Even in a stupid, ''stupid'' universe where [[ItMakesSenseInContext we have hot dogs for fingers, we get very good with our feet]]! |
| 221 | * ''Film/{{Greedy}}'': After discovering that [[spoiler:Uncle Joe was flat broke]], [[HeelRealization Danny regrets having stooped to his cousins' level for an old man's money]]. Robin, who left Danny for this reason, consoles him by reminding him of how he felt genuine concern for Joe when he claimed to be losing his mind. Danny retorts that Joe was putting on an act that anyone would have fallen for. She then asks him: |
| 222 | -->'''Robin:''' Even your [[BigScrewedUpFamily cousins]]? |
| 223 | * The 2004 ''Film/{{Hellboy|2004}}'' movie had an exchange between the newcomer to the team, John Myers, and TheEmpath Abe Sapien: |
| 224 | -->'''Professor Trevor "Broom" Bruttenholm:''' In medieval stories, there is often a young knight who is inexperienced, but pure of heart. |
| 225 | -->'''John Myers:''' Oh, come on. I am not pure of heart. |
| 226 | -->'''Abe Sapien:''' ''(scanning him with his hand)'' Yes, you are. |
| 227 | * ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife'' had this as its central premise, to the point that [[ItsAWonderfulPlot the plot]] is often referenced by other works [[WholePlotReference in its entirety]]. |
| 228 | * In ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers'', the "Samwise the Brave" scene includes Frodo reassuring Sam that he is an important part of the story. |
| 229 | -->'''Sam:''' I wonder if anyone will ever say, "Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring!" "Yes, that's one of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn't he, Dad?" "Yes, m'boy, the most famousest of hobbits, and that's saying a lot." |
| 230 | -->'''Frodo''' ''(laughs)'': Why, you've left out one of the chief characters -- Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam. Frodo wouldn't have gotten far without Sam. |
| 231 | -->'''Sam:''' Now, Mr. Frodo. You shouldn't make fun. I was being serious. |
| 232 | -->'''Frodo:''' So was I. |
| 233 | * ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'': |
| 234 | ** In ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}'', Tony Stark tells Bruce Banner that he is not a monster, he can control the Hulk better than he thinks, the Hulk is not necessarily a curse, but a gift as well, and that Bruce can use him for good. He turns out to be right, as the Hulk not only follows Captain America's orders and provides crucial manpower in the final battle, but [[spoiler:''remembers'' Tony and consciously saves his life during the climax.]] |
| 235 | ** ''Film/ThorRagnarok:'' |
| 236 | *** Thor puts this into his KirkSummation aimed at Loki, telling him that his constant betrayals have made him predictable and that he could be so much more than just the God of Mischief. [[spoiler:This leads Loki to a HeelFaceTurn when he encounters Korg and his revolutionaries who are about to escape on a ship. He joins the group as their leader and turns the ship towards Asgard to save its survivors.]] |
| 237 | *** Later, when Thor is losing badly against Hela, [[spoiler:he has a DeadPersonConversation with his father Odin. When Thor tearfully says, "I'm not as strong as you!" Odin retorts, "No, you're stronger." This helps Thor get a HeroicSecondWind.]] |
| 238 | ** In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', when Thor hits his lowest DespairEventHorizon from failing to save his citizens from Thanos including [[HeroicSacrifice Loki and Heimdall]] ''and'' not stopping Thanos when he had the chance, leading to half of his remaining subjects and the world dying from the snap, Thor gets a much-needed pep talk from his mother belonging to an AlternateTimeline. |
| 239 | --->'''Thor:''' [[ComicBook/{{Thanos}} His]] head was over there... His body over there... What was the point? I was too late. I was just standing there. Some idiot with an axe.\ |
| 240 | '''[[TheHighQueen Frigga]]:''' You are no idiot. You're here, aren't you? Seeking counsel from the wisest person in Asgard. [...] Idiot? No. A failure? [[BrutalHonesty Absolutely]]. [...] You do know what that makes you? Just like everyone else. |
| 241 | ** ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'': |
| 242 | *** When Peter insists that this mission is well beyond saving, Nick Fury says, "Bitch, please![[Film/AvengersInfinityWar You've been to space!]]" |
| 243 | *** Happy also tells Peter this combined with a DareToBeBadass after Peter's convinced that he screwed up trusting [[spoiler: Beck.]] |
| 244 | --->'''Happy:''' You're not Iron Man. You're never gonna be Iron Man. Nobody can live up to Tony, not even Tony. Tony was my best friend and he was a mess. He second-guessed every thing. He was all over the place. The one thing that he did that he didn't second-guess was picking you. I don't think [[Film/AvengersEndgame Tony would have done]] [[HeroicSacrifice what he did]] [[PapaWolf if he didn't know you were gonna be here after he was gone.]] |
| 245 | ** In ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'', [[spoiler:when the [[IntraFranchiseCrossover other Spider-Men]] relate previous adventures like fighting ComicBook/{{Venom}} and [[Characters/MCUThanos Thanos]], [[Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries Webb Spider-Man]] can't offer anyone more impressive than Rhino and [[SelfDeprecation calls himself lame]]. However, [[Film/SpiderManTrilogy Raimi Spider-Man]] reassures him that he isn't and to have more confidence in himself. Webb Spider-Man later pays it forward, reassuring the AlternateTimeline version of his Electro that he [[IJustWantToBeSpecial isn't a nobody]] when he laments being BroughtDownToNormal.]] |
| 246 | * In ''Film/TheMask'', Peggy gives a speech of this variety to Stanley. And [[spoiler:despite it immediately leading to her FaceHeelTurn reveal, and it was very likely that she was lying through her teeth the entire time,]] in the end... She was ''right''. |
| 247 | -->'''Peggy:''' Look, I don't know what's happening to you, Stanley... but I do know this; that letter that you sent my column? That was from a guy with more ''guts''... and more ''heart'', than any of the creeps that I've met in this city. Whatever that mask is... ''you don't need it''. You, Stanley Ipkiss, are already all you'll ever need to be. |
| 248 | * ''Film/TheMuppetMovie'': Kermit attempts to convince this of Doc Hopper. It fails. |
| 249 | * There's a lovely moment in ''Film/MyBigFatGreekWedding'', just after her fiance's embarrassing baptism, where the main character worries that "Any second now, he's gonna say, 'Yeah, you're so not worth this,'" Only for her brother to pipe in, "Yeah you are." |
| 250 | * ''Film/OhGod'': First movie, from ''God Himself''; |
| 251 | -->'''God:''' if you find it hard to believe in Me, maybe it would help you to know that I believe in you. Think about it. |
| 252 | * In ''Film/{{Pixels}}'', Violet tells Sam that with his brain, he shouldn't be installing hardware - he should be ''making'' it. |
| 253 | * In ''Film/RaisingArizona'', Nathan Arizona gives a speech of this kind to Ed and Hi when they declare that they're planning to split up because they're immature and unrealistic people who are bad for each other. |
| 254 | * ''Film/SayAnything'': When Lloyd has gone into a tailspin after Diane breaks up with him, Corey does this for Lloyd: |
| 255 | -->'''D.C.:''' Lloyd, why do you have to be like this?\ |
| 256 | '''Lloyd:''' Because I'm a guy. I have pride.\ |
| 257 | '''Corey:''' No, you're not a guy.\ |
| 258 | '''Lloyd:''' I am.\ |
| 259 | '''Corey:''' No, the world is full of guys. Be a ''man''. Don't be a ''guy''. |
| 260 | * In ''Film/TheSmurfs'', Papa Smurf delivers this type of speech to Brainy Smurf to help convince him that he's up to the task of deciphering the spell that can get the Smurfs back home. |
| 261 | * ''Film/SomebodyIUsedToKnow'': Ally eventually realizes that she joins her ex's wedding party because she dislikes the person she became. Her mother tells her that her pure passion has always gotten her places, and she just has to find that spark again. |
| 262 | * ''Film/SomeGuyWhoKillsPeople'': Ken's coworker and old classmate Irv constantly tells him that he shouldn't be working the same menial job Irv has (with Irv calling himself a loser) and his breakdown isn't his fault. |
| 263 | * In ''Film/StarTrekNemesis'', Picard attempts to use speeches of this message to persuade Shinzon. |
| 264 | * ''Franchise/StarWars'': |
| 265 | ** At the end of ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'', Luke turns to the Emperor and states "I am a Jedi, like my father before me." You'd better believe [[HeelFaceTurn Vader heard that.]] |
| 266 | ** ''Film/TheForceAwakens'': [[spoiler:Han Solo tries to impart the same to his son, Kylo Ren. This time it doesn't work, and the former Ben Solo gives himself fully to the Dark Side by striking down his father.]] |
| 267 | ** In ''Film/TheLastJedi'', [[spoiler:Yoda's Force Ghost]] appears to the now-reclusive Luke, assuring him he is always an honorable Jedi. |
| 268 | ** In ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'', [[spoiler:Luke's Force Ghost]] appears to Rey in the middle of her {{HeroicBSOD}}, comforting her in the face of her UnpleasantParentReveal by pointing out [[spoiler:that he and Leia both knew Rey's grandfather was Emperor Palpatine, and yet they both decided to train Rey as a Jedi. The reason Luke gave was that Rey has a kind heart, which her grandfather lacked.]] |
| 269 | -->'''Luke:''' [[spoiler:Some things are stronger than blood.]] |
| 270 | * After Kirk Lazarus had a breakdown in ''Film/TropicThunder'', new actor, Kevin Sandusky managed to boost his self-esteem. |
| 271 | -->'''Kevin:''' You are Kirk Lazarus. You are the whole reason I went into acting in the first place. I memorized every monologue that you had ever been in while I was in theater school. |
| 272 | -->'''Kirk:''' Really? |
| 273 | * In ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'', after all the trouble caused by Eddie trying to protect Roger, which ultimately cost Delores her job at the bar, he tries to apologize to her and tells her to find herself a good man. She just looks him dead in the eye and says, "But I already ''have'' a good man." |
| 274 | * ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'': |
| 275 | ** ''Film/XMenFirstClass'': It has a repeated line where Charles urges Erik to "be the better man" and work for more than just [[ItsPersonal revenge]]. Erik interprets this somewhat differently than Xavier intended. |
| 276 | --->'''Charles:''' There is so much more to you than you know. Not just pain and anger. There is good, too. I felt it. When you can access all of that, you will possess a power no one can match. Not even me. |
| 277 | ** ''Film/{{Deadpool 2016}}'': Colossus keeps handing out speeches to this effect almost every time he speaks to Deadpool throughout the movie, [[ShutUpKirk but Deadpool is having]] [[KillHimAlready none of it.]] |
| 278 | ** While not in those exact words, the spirit of the trope comes up twice in ''Film/{{Logan}}'': |
| 279 | *** The first time Charles chides Logan when he swears in front of Laura. When Logan points out that she had just slaughtered several heavily-armed soldiers so should be able to handle a few curse words, Charles retorts that she can learn to be ''better'' than that. |
| 280 | --->'''Logan:''' Better than me?\ |
| 281 | '''Charles:''' Actually, yes! |
| 282 | *** The second time is [[spoiler:Logan's dying message to Laura. He tells her "Don't be what they made you," implying she can be a better person than the cold killer Transigen wanted her to be]]. |
| 283 | [[/folder]] |
| 284 | |
| 285 | [[folder:Game Shows]] |
| 286 | * PlayedForLaughs in Series 5 of ''Series/{{Taskmaster}}'', when they are tasked with recording "the most incredible footage" with a camera stuck to their head. Nish simply completes a [[GridPuzzle Sudoku]] puzzle quickly, and ''does it incorrectly''. Rather than yell or mock it, Greg takes him aside and gives him a pep talk to hammer home [[StealthInsult just how bad of an attempt it honestly was]]. |
| 287 | --> '''Greg:''' What is this? Is this self-sabotage? Do you want this or no?\ |
| 288 | '''Nish:''' I just thought it would be great--\ |
| 289 | '''Greg:'''You're doing well in this one!\ |
| 290 | '''Nish:''' Yeah, but I thought it'd be really impressive if I did a whole Sudoku--\ |
| 291 | '''Greg:''' Yeah, but we checked it: you weren't even doing the Sudoku properly. Just pull yourself up by the bootstraps, really have a go at the show. You're not a bad guy, Nish.\ |
| 292 | [[/folder]] |
| 293 | |
| 294 | [[folder:Literature]] |
| 295 | * A common theme through the ''Literature/CiaphasCain'' books is that of Cain engaging in tremendous amounts of SelfDeprecation. Amberley Vail, the editor of his memoirs and longtime friend, lover, and confidant, frequently comments in the footnotes that he is a far better person than he gives himself credit for. It reaches its peak when in one book, Cain is pained to realize he can no longer remember the names or faces of some of the long-dead soldiers he fought with near the beginning of his career. Amberley notes that his guilt over not remembering them says quite a lot about Cain's true character all by itself. |
| 296 | * In Jeramey Kraatz's ''Literature/TheCloakSociety'', Kirbie urges this on Alex, to get him to leave Cloak. |
| 297 | * ''Literature/{{Croak}}'': Lex comes to the town of Croak after a two-year run of absolutely no one treating her with respect. Her uncle suggesting to her that she's not as bad as people think nearly brings her to tears, because she'd been doubting that. |
| 298 | * Invoked in Terry Pratchett's ''[[Literature/{{Discworld}} Snuff]]''. Vimes is constantly watching himself because he thinks that if he loses control of the darkness inside him, he will become as bad as the villains he chases. His butler Willikins tells the latest villain that Vimes is, in fact, "a choirboy" -- unfortunately for the villain, Willikins is not. |
| 299 | * Often said by Michael and the other Knights of the Cross to ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' lead Harry Dresden. Dresden thinks of himself as more of an antihero, but his friends all know that he is a good man. Actually, Dresden ''is'' a bit of an AntiHero-- when it really comes down to it he can be fairly [[TheUnfettered extreme]] if someone important to him is at stake. [[spoiler:(This is evidenced in ''Literature/{{Changes}}'', where Dresden was more than willing to use the Darkhallow or become one of the Denarians if Mab hadn't been willing to help him save his daughter. Although picking her was morally grey at best, it was still the option with the most acceptable outcome, and he ''did'' go through with killing Susan.)]] However, Harry is still a better man than he thinks, and he isn't about to turn into a mustache-twirling villain any second. |
| 300 | ** Likewise, Harry spends a good part of ''Literature/GhostStory'' trying to convince a StreetUrchin that he's more than he thinks it is. He hasn't been back in the series since then, so it's hard to say how well he took Harry's words to heart. Interestingly, the boy has [[OrphansOrdeal a number]] of [[EvilMentor similarities]] with Harry at that age. |
| 301 | * The mantra of ''Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care'', the iconic reference book for mothers afraid of accidentally killing their infants, is "You know more than you think you do." |
| 302 | * ''Literature/FamilySkeletonMysteries'': When she was pregnant, Georgia didn't think she could have a career ''and'' raise a child by herself. But Sid was willing to believe in her, and his encouragement helped her self-confidence and allowed her to believe in herself again. |
| 303 | * Towards the end of ''Literature/GalaxyOfFear'', Zak Arranda has been feeling more and more overshadowed by his studious, Force-Sensitive sister Tash, feeling like he's TheLoad these days. On Dagobah, Yoda [[MyNewGiftIsLame gives him a meat flower]] and has him solve something [[HelpingWouldBeKillstealing himself]] to help teach him that he isn't. |
| 304 | * ''Literature/HarryPotter'': |
| 305 | ** The character arc of ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets''. In the end, Dumbledore learns that Harry felt unworthy of the House of Gryffindor, in part because of his [[BadPowersBadPeople ability to communicate with snakes]] and because he asked to be placed there, rather than letting himself be chosen. Dumbledore tells Harry that character is shown through one's choices and asks him to examine the sword he used to slay the Basilisk. When he sees it is Godric Gryffindor's sword, Harry has all the proof he needs that he truly belongs in that house. |
| 306 | ** Near the end of the series in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'', Harry returns the favor when he meets [[spoiler:Dumbledore again in a place between life and death. When Dumbledore bitterly states that his search for the Deathly Hallows in his bid to become a Master of Death [[NotSoDifferentRemark meant that he was ultimately similar]] to [[BigBad Voldemort]], Harry quickly refutes the claim. He mentions that at least Dumbledore didn't consider using Horcruxes. Dumbledore is able to draw a small measure of comfort from that.]] |
| 307 | ** Harry constantly tells Ron this, due to Ron's massive inferiority complexes about his Quidditch skills, his perceived status as the family's {{Unfavorite}}, his concerns that Hermione loves Harry more than him, and that he will always live in the shadow of his far cooler best friend. This really comes out in ''Deathly Hallows'', when [[spoiler:Ron destroys a Horcrux, as it tries to make him believe all of the aforementioned things.]] |
| 308 | --->'''Harry:''' You've sort of made up for it tonight. [[spoiler:Getting the sword. Finishing off the Horcrux. Saving my life.]]\ |
| 309 | '''Ron:''' That makes me sound a lot cooler than I was.\ |
| 310 | '''Harry:''' Stuff like that always sounds cooler than it really was. I've been trying to tell you that for years. |
| 311 | ** Also happens throughout the series with Neville. When Dumbledore called him brave for standing up to his friends at the end of ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'' and in books [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix five]] and [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows seven]], Neville begins to really come into his own as a wizard and realise that, despite the troubles he has doing magic, he's not a bad wizard or a coward at all. Even the Sorting Hat knew this and placed him in Gryffindor instead of the less popular Hufflepuff like he wanted. |
| 312 | * Subtle example in the ''Literature/MythAdventures'' books. Skeeve takes a D-Hopper to escape to another dimension from Klah, asking for the setting for Klah and Deva. He says that he's running, and Masha responds: "You asked for both settings. You only need one to run." |
| 313 | * ''Literature/{{Nevermoor}}'': Morrigan was born [[BornUnlucky cursed]], leading to everyone treating her like she's a curse ''on them'', and on some level, she believes it, too--understanding on a logical level that it's not her fault, but long since having internalized everyone's view of her. When [[ParentalSubstitute Jupiter]] takes her on as his apprentice and finds out, he's righteously ''furious'' on her behalf, and makes a point of telling her that her existence is not a curse on ''anyone'', least of all him. |
| 314 | * In ''Literature/PleaseDontTellMyParentsIHaveANemesis'', Sister Marianne finds Penny Akk at her lowest point, when all hope seems lost. She reminds Penny about the events of the [[Literature/PleaseDontTellMyParentsIveGotHenchmen previous book]] and all of her accomplishments with just little things she did. |
| 315 | -->'''Sister Marianne:''' If you are the real Penny Akk, who gave Bull Cuddihy peace, who gave Claudia Cuddihy freedom, and who gave my great niece Barbara hope, then a chance is all you need. |
| 316 | * In the Henry James novel ''Literature/ThePortraitOfALady'' Ralph tries to convince Isabelle of this. |
| 317 | * In Creator/LoisMcMasterBujold's ''Literature/TheSharingKnife'', Fawn's family, which has consistently undervalued her, asks Dag "But why ever would you want to marry Fawn in the first place?" Dag's answer, which sums up what we've come to know about the character through the story thus far, is also an awesome moment: |
| 318 | -->For the courage of her heart, which I saw face down the greatest horrors I know without breaking. For the high and hungry intelligence of her mind, which never stops asking questions, nor thinking about the answers. For the spark of her spirit, which could teach bonfires how to burn. That's three. Enough for going on with. |
| 319 | * In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', [[WorkingClassHero Davos Seaworth]] is elevated to the lofty rank of [[NumberTwo Hand of the King]], against his own objections. When he later confides to Maester Pylos his fears that he will fail in his duties and that the King's Hand should be some great knight or lord, Pylos assures him that one of the greatest Hands had been the son of a lowly blacksmith, and offers to help him overcome his shortcomings. |
| 320 | * ''Literature/SpySchool'': Ben does this to Alexander at the climax of the second book, when he's fallen into a depression, and they need him to help rescue Erica and Cyrus. He tells Alexander that yes, he is a bad spy, but he couldn't have become a LivingLegend without ''some'' skills, and right now they need him to inspire the others. |
| 321 | * In the Creator/DaleBrown book ''A Time for Patriots'', Ken Phoenix is told that he should stop beating himself up over the violence and deaths caused by {{Right Wing Militia Fanatic}}s. |
| 322 | * ''Literature/WarriorCats'': As [[spoiler: Yellowfang]] is dying, she says that she fears [=StarClan=] will judge her due to [[spoiler:having kits despite being a medicine cat]] and feels she deserves it, and that she doesn't deserve [[spoiler: to have a cat like Fireheart as her adopted son]]. Fireheart reminds her of all of the good things she did and how good of a cat she is, but she dies before he can finish speaking. |
| 323 | * ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'': |
| 324 | -->[[DarkAndTroubledPast "No man can walk so long in the Shadow]] [[HeelFaceTurn that he cannot come again to the Light"]] |
| 325 | * In ''Literature/WhyWeTookTheCar'', Maik breaks down and tells Tschick just how boring he actually is and how he sees himself. Tschick responds by telling Maik how much of a great person he is and that the week they spent together was the best of his life, which was something Maik probably really needed to hear. |
| 326 | * In ''Literature/WordsOfRadiance'' (second book of ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive''), when two bands of deserters are bearing down on her caravan, Shallan Davar -- a shipwrecked minor noble girl dressed in rags -- rides up to one of the bands and convinces them to defend them instead of robbing them, despite having absolutely nothing to offer but her word. |
| 327 | -->'''Shallan:''' What would you do, Vathah, to erase the past? Would you protect instead of kill, if you had the choice? Would you rescue instead of rob if you could do it over again? Good people are dying as we speak here. You can stop it.\ |
| 328 | '''Vathah:''' We can't change the past.\ |
| 329 | '''Shallan:''' I can change your future.\ |
| 330 | '''Vathah:''' We are wanted men.\ |
| 331 | '''Shallan:''' Yes, I came here wanting men. Hoping to find ''men''. You are offered the chance to be soldiers again. Come with me. I will see to it you have new lives. Those lives start by saving instead of killing. |
| 332 | ** Shallan herself is on the receiving end in ''Literature/{{Oathbringer}}''. [[spoiler:Shallan believes herself to be a monster because of the people she directly and indirectly killed, and Wit reassures her that she is not a monster and that he believes the world is better with her in it. And later in the same scene, when she tries to prove that everything she does is pointless because of her failings, and upon her indirectly proving that to be untrue, Wit tells her that it is okay to live.]] |
| 333 | -->'''Wit:''' [[spoiler:If you do not trust yourself, can you trust me? For in you, I see a woman more wonderful than any of the lies. I promise you, that woman is ''worth'' protecting. ''You'' are worth protecting.]] |
| 334 | * In ''Literature/TheWitchlands'', Evraine and Leopold try to tell Aeduen this on different occasions, as he considers himself to be little more than a human-shaped weapon. Unfortunately, Aeduen isn't exactly willing to listen. |
| 335 | [[/folder]] |
| 336 | |
| 337 | [[folder:Music]] |
| 338 | * Music/BillyJoel's "You're Only Human (Second Wind)". The music video is even more explicit. |
| 339 | * Music/DavidBowie's "[[Music/TheRiseAndFallOfZiggyStardustAndTheSpidersFromMars Rock and Roll Suicide]]", perhaps surprisingly given the title: |
| 340 | -->''[[YouAreNotAlone Oh, no, love, you're not alone!]]\ |
| 341 | You're watching yourself, but you're too unfair!\ |
| 342 | You've got your head all tangled up, but if I could only make you care!\ |
| 343 | Oh, no, love, you're not alone!\ |
| 344 | No matter what or who you've been,\ |
| 345 | No matter when or where you've failed...'' |
| 346 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpRUEsZoTyI Invisible]] by Disciple. |
| 347 | -->''You wish you were someone else\ |
| 348 | Every night you fall to pieces\ |
| 349 | Knowing you can't save yourself\ |
| 350 | I can see you, I can hear you\ |
| 351 | There's a place where the broken go\ |
| 352 | There's a room full of second chances\ |
| 353 | You're not stranded on your own\ |
| 354 | You're not invisible'' |
| 355 | * "Firework" by Music/KatyPerry |
| 356 | * "Beautiful" by Music/ChristinaAguilera |
| 357 | * Another "Beautiful", by Music/{{Eminem}} |
| 358 | -->''And to the rest of the world:\ |
| 359 | God gave you shoes to fit you, so put 'em on and wear 'em\ |
| 360 | Be yourself, man\ |
| 361 | Be proud of who you are\ |
| 362 | Even if it sounds corny\ |
| 363 | Don't ever let anyone tell you you ain't beautiful'' |
| 364 | * Eminem to Dr. Dre in "I Need A Doctor" by the latter |
| 365 | -->''Can't make a decision, you keep questionin' yourself\ |
| 366 | Second-guessin' and it's almost like you're beggin' for my help\ |
| 367 | Like I'm your leader, you're supposed to fuckin' be my mentor\ |
| 368 | I can endure no more, I demand you remember who you are!!'' |
| 369 | * "Who Says" by Music/SelenaGomez |
| 370 | * "F**kin' Perfect" by P!nk |
| 371 | -->''Pretty, pretty please\ |
| 372 | Don't you ever, ever feel\ |
| 373 | Like you're less than fuckin' perfect\ |
| 374 | Pretty, pretty please\ |
| 375 | If you ever, ever feel\ |
| 376 | Like you're nothing\ |
| 377 | You are perfect, to me'' |
| 378 | * "[[Music/TheVelvetUndergroundAndNico I'll Be Your Mirror]]" by the Music/VelvetUnderground. |
| 379 | -->''I find it hard to believe you don't know\ |
| 380 | The beauty that you are\ |
| 381 | But if you don't, let me be your eyes\ |
| 382 | A hand in your darkness so you won't be afraid\ |
| 383 | \ |
| 384 | When you think the night has seen your mind\ |
| 385 | That inside you're twisted and unkind\ |
| 386 | Let me stand to show that you are blind\ |
| 387 | Please put down your hands, 'cause I see you\ |
| 388 | I'll be your mirror'' |
| 389 | * "Low Self-Opinion" by Music/HenryRollins: |
| 390 | -->''If you could see the you that I see\ |
| 391 | When I see you seeing me\ |
| 392 | You'd see yourself so differently\ |
| 393 | Believe me'' |
| 394 | * "Kill Your Heroes" by Music/{{AWOLNATION}} |
| 395 | -->''Well, I met an old man dying on a train\ |
| 396 | No more destination, no more pain\ |
| 397 | Well, he said one thing, before I graduate\ |
| 398 | Never let your fear decide your fate.'' |
| 399 | * "You're Worth More Than Gold" by Brit Nicole. |
| 400 | * "Carry You" by Music/VNVNation |
| 401 | -->''Truth defined by your adversities will defend you,\ |
| 402 | As your powers and all your energies conspire to carry you.'' |
| 403 | * "Beautiful Freak" by Eels, in which somebody is comforted for being not like the others, yet that makes him/her great. |
| 404 | -->''Some people think you have a problem\ |
| 405 | But that problem lies only with them\ |
| 406 | Just 'cause you are not like the others\ |
| 407 | And that is why I love you, beautiful freak'' |
| 408 | * "Super Trouper" by ''Music/{{ABBA}}'' is about urging a friend to stop settling for the easy things in life and stop being afraid to take risks, and start living up to his or her potential. |
| 409 | * "Every Little Thing" by Music/TheBeatles, from ''Music/BeatlesForSale''. |
| 410 | * "Jojo", a moving tribute by Jacques Brel about his best friend Jojo who died of cancer. He tells him what a great friend he was and adds the iconic message: |
| 411 | -->Six feet below the ground, Jojo, you are not dead |
| 412 | -->six feet below the ground: I adore you still. |
| 413 | ** Brel would die of the same illness only one year later. |
| 414 | * "Simply The Best" by Music/TinaTurner about a partner she considers superlative to all the others. |
| 415 | * ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvwo8f3SXKA What Are You Waiting For?]]'' by Music/{{Disturbed}} is pulling double duty as this and a SelfEmpowermentAnthem. |
| 416 | -->''Don't let them undermine\ |
| 417 | Your dreams can never be stolen\ |
| 418 | Don't leave them stagnant, rotting on the vine\ |
| 419 | Say goodbye to anyone who tries\ |
| 420 | To bleed you dry, you will show them\ |
| 421 | You're blessed with an unlimited supply\ |
| 422 | \ |
| 423 | Leave nothing left behind\ |
| 424 | \ |
| 425 | So what you waiting for, tell me what you're waiting for?\ |
| 426 | Don't stand by and deny it\ |
| 427 | So what you waiting for, tell me what you're waiting for?\ |
| 428 | Break new ground and defy it\ |
| 429 | Don't let the world outside\ |
| 430 | Leave you cornered and alone\ |
| 431 | So what you waiting for, tell me what you waiting for\ |
| 432 | Let them all be reminded'' |
| 433 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBdsO4bOIns "Porcelain"]] by Music/MarianasTrench |
| 434 | -->''You thought by now you'd have it figured out\ |
| 435 | You can't erase the way it pulls when seasons change\ |
| 436 | It hurts sometimes to find where you begin\ |
| 437 | You are perfect porcelain\ |
| 438 | \ |
| 439 | The slow and simple melody\ |
| 440 | Of tears you cannot keep from me\ |
| 441 | It's alright if you don't know what you need'' |
| 442 | * Parts of "By Your Side" by Music/{{Sade}}. |
| 443 | * "Priceless" by KING & COUNTRY, a song directed at women who, [[IAmNotPretty for one reason]] [[DefiledForever or another]], feel unworthy of love. Towards the end, it adds in [[AnAesop no matter who you are, no matter what your past, you are a priceless and irreplaceable thing of beauty because you are you.]] |
| 444 | -->''I see you [[FairytaleWeddingDress dressed in white]], every wrong made right\ |
| 445 | I see [[SomethingAboutARose a rose in bloom]] at the sight of you'' |
| 446 | * ''Danny Don't You Know'' by Music/NinjaSexParty is largely about lead singer Danny Sexbang providing a motivational speech to his younger self, and has lines implying that he is not alone in his feelings of inadequacy. The music video is dedicated to "all the nerds of the world." |
| 447 | -->''Danny don't you know that we're all rad as fuck on the inside?!'' |
| 448 | * This is such a deeply ingrained and recurring theme throughout the works of Music/AndrewWK that it's actively difficult to single out just one example. Andrew really does want nothing more than to inspire you to be the best that you can be. |
| 449 | * Music/{{Lorde}}'s album Melodrama features the song "Liability", where she sings about how she's too much for everyone and feels like a burden. Later in the album, "Liability (Reprise)", parts of "Liability" are sung and the end of the song includes this incredibly heartwarming lyric: |
| 450 | -->''But you're not what you thought you were.'' |
| 451 | * Music/{{Styx}}'s "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)": |
| 452 | -->''You're fooling yourself if you don't believe it\ |
| 453 | You're kidding yourself if you don't believe it\ |
| 454 | Get up, get back on your feet\ |
| 455 | You're the one they can't beat and you know it\ |
| 456 | Come on, let's see what you've got\ |
| 457 | Just take your best shot and don't blow it'' |
| 458 | * Music/MariahCarey's "Hero": |
| 459 | -->''And then a hero comes along,\ |
| 460 | With the strength to carry on,\ |
| 461 | And you cast your fears aside,\ |
| 462 | 'Cause you know you can survive,\ |
| 463 | So when you feel like hope is gone,\ |
| 464 | Look inside you and be strong,\ |
| 465 | And you'll finally see the truth,\ |
| 466 | That a hero lies in you.'' |
| 467 | * "You Are The Moon" by The Hush Sound can be interpreted as this. |
| 468 | * "King" by Lauren Aquilina practically ''embodies'' this trope. It's basically about talking someone out of a HeroicBSOD by telling them things aren't as bad as they think and they're much stronger than they believe. |
| 469 | -->''You've got it all\ |
| 470 | You've lost your mind in the sound\ |
| 471 | There's so much more\ |
| 472 | You can reclaim your crown\ |
| 473 | You're in control\ |
| 474 | Rid of the monsters inside your head\ |
| 475 | Put all your faults to bed\ |
| 476 | You can be king again'' |
| 477 | * "Shut up and Dance" by ''Walk the Moon'' is a love ballad both to the 80s and to the song-writer's giflriend, who told him to stop being a self-conscious douchebag and just get out on the dance floor and be happy. The music video includes a spot where the band's lead loses his mojo and looks like a jackass only for the girl, in her backless dress and beat-up sneaks, to grab him, kiss him, and get him to ''just fucking enjoy himself''. |
| 478 | * "Don't Come the Cowboy With Me, Sonny Jim" by Music/KirstyMacColl starts off as a "men are jerks" song, but turns out to be her telling a guy that she knows he's ''also'' been taught to believe that this is how men are "supposed" to behave, but it's not who he is: |
| 479 | -->So don't come the cowboy with me, Sonny Jim.\ |
| 480 | I've known lots of those, and you're not one of them,\ |
| 481 | There's a light in your eyes tells me somebody's in,\ |
| 482 | And you won't come the cowboy with me. |
| 483 | * "Modern Fears" by Electric Youth is all about building somebody up who is hard on themself and not to let what others think define them. |
| 484 | -->They can\ |
| 485 | Say what they say\ |
| 486 | But you need a heart\ |
| 487 | To have heart like you do\ |
| 488 | You're too\ |
| 489 | You're too careful\ |
| 490 | To truly not care\ |
| 491 | I don't believe that it's true\ |
| 492 | Oh\ |
| 493 | You might shed some tears\ |
| 494 | But these modern fears\ |
| 495 | Won't hold you down\ |
| 496 | [[/folder]] |
| 497 | |
| 498 | [[folder:Myths & Religion]] |
| 499 | * In one story in Myth/NorseMythology, Thor, along with Loki and Thor's servant Pjálfi, are challenged to several contests by the giant lord Utgard-Loki. Pjálfi competes against one of Utgard-Loki's men in a footrace, but only makes it halfway before his opponent finishes. Loki competes in an eating contest where he and his opponent have to start at opposing ends of a long trough full of meat and eat their way to the center, but while Loki reaches the center at the same time as his opponent, his opponent eats the bones and trough as well, so Loki loses. Thor himself has to drain a drinking mug, lift a cat, and wrestle an old woman, but he is only able to slightly lower the capacity of the cup, only manages to lift the cat's paw, and cannot defeat the old woman. [[BreakTheHaughty Having been humbled]], Thor and his companions [[SacredHospitality are treated as honored guests]], but the next morning, before they leave, Utgard-Loki tells Thor that while he had ''wanted'' to utterly humiliate him, he had actually done ''much'' better than he had thought. (The giant lord had used illusions in each contest to fool them; Pjálfi had been racing against the personification of Thought, and Loki had been competing against Fire; the cup that Thor tried to drink from was actually the sea, the cat was actually the Midgard Serpent, and the old woman was Old Age personified. Utgard-Loki admits that the fact that Thor and his companions did as well as they did scare the hell out of him and his court.) |
| 500 | * In UsefulNotes/{{Christianity}}, Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son likens this to a son who leaves home with his inheritance prior to his father's death and squanders half the family fortune. When he hits rock bottom, he returns and begs for his father's forgiveness. His father is so overjoyed just to have the wayward son back home, he throws a massive welcome home party. |
| 501 | * UsefulNotes/{{Judaism}} believes that anyone has the potential to be as righteous as Moses or as evil as Haman. The entire idea of teshuva revolves around the notion that one can always make an effort to overcome their negative traits and become better people. Furthermore, the Torah considers [[RedemptionRejection the willful refusal to overcome one's negative personality traits]] to be the only possible reason God may ever have not to forgive someone for their transgressions. |
| 502 | [[/folder]] |
| 503 | |
| 504 | [[folder:Podcasts]] |
| 505 | * In ''Podcast/InterstitialActualPlay'', Edith tries to invoke this in the hopes that [[spoiler:Tagdegx, Gadget's Nobody]], will believe in their own existence. |
| 506 | -->'''Edith:''' Being alive? Existing? That's a gift and a half right here. You should fucking own it! I know that it's hard. I know that a lot of people have told you you shouldn't, but goddammit--live! |
| 507 | * In ''Podcast/Wolf359'', Minkowski encourages Hera to save Eiffel from asphyxiating in "Let's Kill Hilbert": |
| 508 | -->'''Hera:''' Have you been listening? I-\ |
| 509 | '''Minkowski:''' Can. You are the smartest person I have ever met, Hera. Focus that intelligence, and save our moron. |
| 510 | [[/folder]] |
| 511 | |
| 512 | [[folder:Tabletop Games]] |
| 513 | * In ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'', there is a particular Social Charm for the Solar Exalted that acts as a literal gameplay effect of this trope: ''You Can Be More'', allowing a Solar to mend the broken spirits of those around them. With sufficient power behind it, the Charm can even literally cause a mortal to be more by making them become a Heroic Mortal and greatly increasing their own chances to Exalt. |
| 514 | * ''TabletopGame/PrincessTheHopeful:'' [[TheSocialExpert Graces]] can regain [[{{Mana}} Wisps]] by convincing people to act on their positive impulses. This can be anything from [[CannotSpitItOut Spitting It Out]] to a crush to kicking a drug habit. |
| 515 | [[/folder]] |
| 516 | |
| 517 | [[folder:Theatre]] |
| 518 | * ''Theatre/AnyoneCanWhistle'': |
| 519 | -->'''Hapgood:''' I can't stop being crazy. But that's my own affair.\ |
| 520 | '''Fay:''' No, it isn't. You're the hope of the world.\ |
| 521 | '''Hapgood:''' I don't think you can possibly repeat that sentence without laughing.\ |
| 522 | '''Fay:''' You're the hope of the world. You and all the crazy people like you.\ |
| 523 | '''Hapgood:''' From the first moment, you've been trying to put me on a white horse. Now stop it! |
| 524 | * In the final stretch of ''Theatre/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'' (the 2013 stage musical), Charlie worries that he can't take over the titular factory from Willy Wonka because he has no experience in being a chocolatier. Wonka explains in the song "A Little Me" that Charlie may be inexperienced in that ''now'', but that means he's capable of learning and becoming a unique talent in the process; moreover, he's "not just any careless child", but a bright, imaginative, kind, unspoiled, and disciplined one, "So aren't you glad upon review/That Charlie Bucket I chose you!" |
| 525 | * This is the essential crux of the "Starlight Sequence" song in the musical ''Theatre/StarlightExpress'', where the Starlight Express, a [[CrystalDragonJesus godlike entity]] [[ItMakesSenseInContext worshipped by the anthropomorphic representations of the trains in a child's train set]], shows up to tell the main character that he can win the race that all the trains are competing in if he just believes in himself. |
| 526 | * William Finn's song "You're Even Better Than You Think You Are" from ''Make Me A Song'', is an autobiographical story about people saying this to him when he was first starting out writing bad musicals, so he persevered into writing good musicals. |
| 527 | [[/folder]] |
| 528 | |
| 529 | [[folder:Toys]] |
| 530 | * In ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'', in an endeavor to ensure the success of his plans for the island city of Metru Nui, [[BigBad Makuta Teridax]] studied the stars to learn the names of the Metru Nui Matoran who were destined to become Toa. To thwart this, Teridax planted the names of six different Matoran into the mind of [[TheParagon Toa Lhikan]], the six most stubborn and strong-willed Matoran the Makuta could think of. Lhikan granted his Toa power to these Matoran, turning them into Toa Metru. During the Visorak saga, these Toa find a record of Teridax's efforts, along with evidence that proves that the Matoran who located the Great Disks were the ones truly destined to become Toa, causing no small amount of grief for them. Later on, whilst on the run from Teridax, Toa Metru Vakama re-encounters the [[PlantAliens Karzahni]]. Knowing that Vakama cannot best Teridax while bogged down with self-doubt, Karzahni reveals the ''real'' truth to the Toa: That Vakama and the others truly were destined to become Toa, that [[BigGood Mata]] [[PhysicalGod Nui]] had altered the stars to [[OutGambitted trick]] Teridax whilst planting the names of the true destined Matoran into the Makuta's mind. Furthermore, a [[HeroSecretService mysterious third party]] planted evidence to support Mata Nui's ruse, and it was a member of this organization that told Karzahni everything. |
| 531 | [[/folder]] |
| 532 | |
| 533 | [[folder:Web Animation]] |
| 534 | * ''WebVideo/ArbyNTheChief'': |
| 535 | ** Season 7: |
| 536 | *** In the episode "''Greenlit''", there's this exchange between [[JerkAss Master Chief]] and [[spoiler:a Hallucination of Cortana]]: |
| 537 | ---->'''Master Chief:''' [[spoiler:u has 2 b a ghosts / u cant b a figment newton of my imaginations]] / look -- as much as i hated 2 admit it -- ur sort of smarter than i am / k? / so how can u knew shit that i doesnt, and thot about stuff on ur own, and get all pissy @ me [[spoiler:if ur in my brains?]] / i doesnt get it / u could only knew whatever things i knew or sumthing, rite?\ |
| 538 | '''Cortana:''' Maybe, somewhere deep within your mind, you're a lot smarter and have a much clearer understanding of right from wrong than you think. |
| 539 | ** Season 8: |
| 540 | *** In the SeriesFinale "''Apocalypse''", Arbiter's final conversation with [[spoiler:Eugene's hallucination]] ends up being this: |
| 541 | ---->'''Arbiter:''' [[DespairEventHorizon Finally got what you wanted]].\ |
| 542 | '''Eugene:''' I don't want you to die, man. I don't want you to ''want to'' die. I want you to live.\ |
| 543 | '''Arbiter:''' Since when?\ |
| 544 | '''Eugene:''' The other guy you've been seeing, wasn't me. [[HauntingTheGuilty He was your guilt]]. [[ThatManIsDead I'm the real deal, partially]]. I'm the friend you saw when you first met me. I was always in there somewhere, buried under a lot of shit. But I was there.\ |
| 545 | '''Arbiter:''' How are you here?\ |
| 546 | '''Eugene:''' Dude, [[spoiler:you got blown up, [[ReasoningWithGod just talked to Jon]], [[ItMakesSenseIntheContext put back on the ship with all the butt-raping aliens]]]], the rules are obviously out-the-window at this point. You heard Jon: You made a lot of people happy, all over the world. How many people get that far? Wish they could? And think of the good they could all do as a result? And the good as a result of that? Ripples through time. And at the end of it all, you'll have had a part in the creation of something so wonderful, beyond comprehention. Guess what? That means something. Your life, has meaning. |
| 547 | * ''WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss'': |
| 548 | ** After circumstances force Blitzo to pretend he's a human actor in a TV show in "[[Recap/HelluvaBossS2E2SeeingStars Seeing Stars]]", he has a panic attack after not having performed in years since leaving the circus. Stolas then takes a moment to reassure him... [[LovableSexManiac in his own special way]]. |
| 549 | --->'''Stolas:''' Blitzo, if your performance on stage is half as good as it is [[SexGod in bed]], you'll leave them ''breathless''. |
| 550 | ** In "[[Recap/HelluvaBossS2E7MammonsMagnificentMusical Mammon's Magnificent Musical]]", Fizzarolli has a panic attack of his own once he cracks under the constant pressure Mammon puts him under. His lover, Asmodeus, tries his best to convince Fizz to quit working for Mammon, until Fizz reveals that the real reason he's afraid of losing the [[TalentContest clown pageant]] and works so hard all the time is because [[InsecureLoveInterest he feels he is unworthy of being with Asmodeus unless he is at his best]]. He wholeheartedly believes that, because of [[spoiler:[[ScarsAreUgly his horrific scars]] from [[DarkAndTroubledPast the circus fire years ago]]]], he is nothing unless he is the best damn clown in Hell, which he thinks he can only be thanks to Mammon. Asmodeus replies by telling Fizz why everything he just said is wrong: |
| 551 | --->'''Asmodeus:''' Fizz, Mammon didn't do ''[[PrecisionFStrike shit]].'' You already ''were'' this. You'd be this no matter ''what!'' You are the most ''inspiring'' demon I have ever known, and meeting you was the best thing that ''ever'' happened to me. I adore your inventiveness, your attitude, your ''resilience.'' ''Aaaaand'' you're just the cutest little thing alive. ''(nuzzles Fizz's cheek)'' Also, you are a ''waaaay'' better performer than Mammon ever was, and ''thaaat's'' just facts. |
| 552 | * The nameless, reclining nude person in the memetically weird claymation short [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHH2DFDcpH8 "Hi Stranger"]] (NSFW if your workplace doesn't like nudity, otherwise pretty wholesome, but weird) tells the viewer this toward the end. It's actually quite touching, all things considered. |
| 553 | -->'''Unnamed Character:''' I've been thinking about you a lot, lately. I see you trying to do so many things at once. Worrying about a decision you made or worried that you said the wrong thing to someone. You're so hard on yourself. But you're ''wonderful'', and worthy of being loved. You really are. You just have to let yourself believe it. Well, I know you're really busy and probably have to go. [[SincerityMode But I'm glad I got to see you for a minute]]. I love you. |
| 554 | * ''WebAnimation/TheMostEpicStoryEverToldInAllOfHumanHistory'': When Captain Epic is feeling down about himself, [[HeelFaceTurn Epic Robot Guy]] informs him that he was inspired to become a better person because of Captain Epic's dedication to doing good. This promptly revitalizes Captain Epic's spirit. |
| 555 | * Foamy, the normally {{Jerkass}} squirrel in ''WebAnimation/NeuroticallyYours'', gives Germaine a second chance at life with a reset button, basically telling her that he thinks she can do a lot better than how she is right now and can change her life. |
| 556 | * ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': |
| 557 | ** In Volume 1, Jaune admits to Ruby that he's massively screwed up and is a failure. She tells him that she thinks that he is capable of being the team leader JNPR needs, he just needs to believe in himself more. [[spoiler:Their shared belief that leaders must never fail comes back to haunt them both in Volume 9.]] |
| 558 | ** In Volume 4, Blake believes that she betrayed her family by leaving them to follow the White Fang's new leader, and no longer considers herself worthy of their love. Her father tells her that her eventually leaving and setting herself back onto the right path proves she is a far stronger person than most people ever manage. |
| 559 | ** In Volume 5, Oscar privately admits to Ruby that's he's absolutely terrified about what Ozpin has dragged him into. Ruby tells him that the fact he's trying to help means that he's a much braver person than he's thinks he is. |
| 560 | ** In Volume 9, both Jaune and Ruby struggle with the belief that they're not capable of being what others need them to be. Jaune thinks he's incapable of being a hero or saving the lives of others while Ruby believes that she cannot live up to standards of perfection that she's set for herself. [[spoiler:Both of them learn that they need to accept themselves for who they are, warts and all; HumansAreFlawed, and that's okay]] |
| 561 | [[/folder]] |
| 562 | |
| 563 | [[folder:Webcomics]] |
| 564 | * ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'': |
| 565 | ** Grace is a genius, but when things go wrong, she always blames herself, and she thinks she's stupid. She also moped about "[[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2004-11-09 whether she deserves this power]]" and refused to shapeshift after the fight. Until [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2005-05-09 one of her siblings]] told her in no uncertain terms both to grow back a fluffy tail and where to stick such concerns. |
| 566 | ** A very young alternate universe Tedd felt that he was "[[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2004-09-15 no good]]," and [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2004-09-22 not just at kickball]]. When Ellen woke up from dreaming about that universe, [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2004-10-04 almost the first thing she did]] was ring the doorbell, hug this universe's Tedd and tell him he's "plenty good," and abruptly leaving without any explanation. |
| 567 | ** Elliot worries that he's "a bad guy" because he gets angry sometimes and he used to be a BullyHunter, so maybe he just likes violence. Ashley sometimes thinks she's "trash" for writing ironic-revenge transformation stories, and is worried what she might do now she knows this is actually possible. Their [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/party-237 first argument]] is based around telling each other "No, you're a good person." |
| 568 | * In ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}}'', because Florence is a carnivore, and Sam is a scavenger, Florence thinks that the captain sneaking to steal her food is low-ranking, and [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff700/fv00637.htm she needs to apply this trope.]] |
| 569 | ** Florence has been trying to help the robots of planet Jean achieve independence and avoid being mass-mindwiped by a brutal safeguard program. She begins to have second thoughts upon meeting Dr. Bowman, who created the robots' neural architecture, and learning that he is a high-functioning sociopath with impulse control problems [[spoiler:(by virtue of being an uplifted chimpanzee)]]. She knows, of course, that Bowman also created ''her'' neural architecture, and he points out that [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff2500/fc02476.htm if HER first thought was for the safety of humans]], the robots would probably react similarly to the idea that their safeguards can be broken. |
| 570 | * ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'': Agatha accidentally gives Gil such a piece of inspiration when she asks him what kind of power-hungry dictator he's going to be if he hasn't built himself an arsenal of death rays. While she fumes about their current unarmed state Gil wonders quietly in response that he's apparently on track to become a better kinder one than he'd thought. |
| 571 | * ''Webcomic/GreyIs'': Black thinks of himself as weak and not able to help other people, White who admires Blacks emotional strength disagrees and says something to this effect |
| 572 | * ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'': |
| 573 | ** Dave is on the receiving end of this after [[spoiler:he finds his Bro's corpse]], concluding that he's done nothing heroic and that his closest friend is better than he is, while Terezi tries to convince him that he is actually a heroic badass and not just an [[ItMakesSenseInContext alligator swindler]]. Of course, the trial for characters of the Knight class -- like Dave -- usually involves self-esteem in some way. Terezi, despite being a Seer instead of a Knight, gets a turn in the trope crosshairs when she's having a self-esteem crisis about her alternate universe counterpart being so popular and [[TotallyRadical radical]], and [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Karkat]] [[HairTriggerTemper of all people]] tells her that she doesn't ''need'' to put on a [[LargeHam ridiculously over-the-top act]] to be likeable and that when she withdraws she's just hiding someone who's already beautiful. |
| 574 | ** When Dirk is feeling down on himself after finding out what an asshole his alternate universe counterpart was, Dave tells him that he doesn't seem like a bad person and that he shouldn't beat himself up over the things his other self did. |
| 575 | * ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob:'' When Galatea is facing the possibility of prison time for her actions in "The Island And the Idol" story arc, she tearfully asks Bob why she's even alive, if everyone always [[TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong treats her as some walking bad example to be shunned.]] Her [[http://bobadventures.thecomicseries.com/comics/945/ sister Molly answers her]] that Galatea is the most passionate and alive person she knows, and that her willingness to go out and ''try'' things is an inspiration to Molly... and that her family loves her. |
| 576 | * In [[http://megatokyo.com/strip/722 these]] [[http://megatokyo.com/strip/723 two]] consecutive ''Webcomic/{{Megatokyo}}'' strips, Piro finally gets some sense talked into him. |
| 577 | * ''Webcomic/MyDeepestSecret'': Sophie gets told this twice, from Camie as a high schooler and from Emma in university. In an unusual take on this trope, [[spoiler:outside events foil the first one and make Sophie bitter.]] By the time Emma says it, [[spoiler:it turns Sophie against her.]] |
| 578 | * When a major WhamEpisode of ''Webcomic/{{Rain|2010}}'' hit a little too close to home for some people, [[Creator/JocelynSamara the author]] wrote an apology on her Website/DeviantArt journal, assuring the readers that Rain will make it through this. |
| 579 | -->''Same goes for you, Rain Beaus. You are stronger than you may realize. Don't let anyone hold anything over you. And if you think you're alone, [[YouAreNotAlone remember that we're ALL friends here]]. Myself and 2,000+ other people watching this page want to see you and everyone else here live positively in the way you want to.'' |
| 580 | * ''Webcomic/ShadowGirls'': Becka has to be told this after hesitating to SaveTheVillain. Which, given that said villain [[spoiler:tried to have her raped [[KickTheDog as a prank]]]] roughly a week before ([[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation maybe]]) [[spoiler:[[OmnicidalManiac trying to unmake the universe]]]], says [[MessianicArchetype quite a bit.]] |
| 581 | * ''Webcomic/{{Shortpacked}}'': Amber thinks she's useless, 'til Robin and Ethan both play a role in turning her around. |
| 582 | * In ''Webcomic/TalesOfTheQuestor'', [[http://www.rhjunior.com/tales-of-the-questor-0073/ Quentyn shamefully flees the successful conclusion of his first case]] thinking that he blundered through it and succeeded only through dumb luck. However, just before he takes off, the local sheriff asks what he is doing and the young Racoonan confesses. At that, the Sheriff firmly tells Quentyn that he is not stupid nor a failure, but a hero who showed admirable guile, skill, and courage to save the day. As Quentyn's mood lifts, the Sheriff gives him his hat noting wryly that the young Questor's career has had an excellent start. Repeated after [[http://www.rhjunior.com/tales-of-the-questor-0213 a heroic charge]] and in this case, the one doing the reassuring is an ''angel'' or close to it. |
| 583 | * ''Webcomic/ZebraGirl'': Becky, one of the vampires who turned on Zandra, is undergoing StagesOfMonsterGrief and [[DrivenToSuicide wishing she was dead]]. Zandra notes how some of the other vampires follow her and tells her she's stronger than she thinks she is. |
| 584 | [[/folder]] |
| 585 | |
| 586 | [[folder:Web Original]] |
| 587 | * On ''WebSite/NotAlwaysRight'', a heavily-pregnant young woman is harassed for being so at such a young age. She replies that younger women than her have been better mothers than she can, so [[https://notalwaysright.com/needs-to-adopt-a-nicer-outlook/ she has arranged for her child to be adopted]]. A bystander buys her a muffin and apple juice, and reassures her: "You are doing the best thing for your daughter, and you are the best mother I know". |
| 588 | * In the ASMRVideo series ''Creator/SweetAsHoney'', the video "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tHu0BtOvK8 Why Are You so Hard on Yourself?]]" sees Honey taking the role of the listener's big sister, telling them not to beat themselves up over mistakes, that they're not perfect, and that they're wonderful in spite of a few mistakes. |
| 589 | * ''[[Literature/{{Takotsubo}} Takotsubo: The story of a superhero]]'' is a pretty upfront tagline: Cord Cai is a [[GenericEthnicCrimeGang Chinese-American gangster,]] who's normally a ''villain.'' His backstory is a metric ton of shit: His parents are in prison, he was frequently gay-bashed (which is worse since he's ''bisexual,'' not gay), and joined a street gang in high school to cope. While he and his fiance Roland are trying to go clean, [[PlotTriggeringDeath Roland gets shot in a carjacking.]] The PoliceAreUseless, so Cord tracks the carjacker down and shoots him because [[TragicVillain he feels like it's his only choice.]] The [[AllThereInTheManual author's notes]] state that this is his long journey back from the DespairEventHorizon to acknowledge that he's a superhero. |
| 590 | * ''Website/ChannelAwesome'': |
| 591 | ** Done in a subtle way in ''WebVideo/{{Kickassia}}'' when Ma-Ti is trying to get WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic to stop being a douchebag. He tells him that he's strong and loyal, but Critic's still on his "a president has no friends" kick. |
| 592 | ** Film Brain tries very hard to get the Critic to believe this in ''WebVideo/ToBoldlyFlee'', but by then the Critic is just too depressed to listen. Not even a "you've evolved beyond my writing" speech from [[spoiler:Creator/DougWalker]] helped. [[PeacefulInDeath Finally dying did though]]. |
| 593 | ** More downbeat in the review of ''Film/ChristmasWithTheKranks'', as Critic talks about people changing sometimes not always for the best, and you'll/he'll fuck up, but don't hate yourself too much. |
| 594 | * In Episode 44 of ''Podcast/WelcomeToNightVale'', [[spoiler:Dana, or her double,]] talks about meeting their future self, and expresses disappointment at having to wait until they get older before becoming important. Cecil's response? |
| 595 | -->"You have always been important. You have always been something. Age just reveals the facts that always were. Experience uncovers the you that always was." |
| 596 | * ''Series/TheWeather'': In the last sketch of "Spooky Fog", Alan spends the whole time insulting himself for being, according to himself, stupid, smelly, ugly, and generally misfortune. The caller, playing [[TheManInTheMirrorTalksBack his reflection]], works to convince him that he's better than that, and makes it clear that, at the very least, ''[[YouAreNotAlone they]]'' don't hate him. |
| 597 | * In ''Literature/{{Worm}}'', [[spoiler:Tattletale and Skitter]] try to convince [[spoiler:Panacea]] of this, unsuccessfully. |
| 598 | * Near the end of the first season of ''WebVideo/Dimension20'', the school guidance councillor delivers this message to Adaine by way of a tortured metaphor regarding a homeless man with warts on his genitals and fellatio. She does eventually get the message. |
| 599 | [[/folder]] |
| 600 | |
| 601 | [[folder:Real Life]] |
| 602 | * You. Oh sure, you faced all of yesterday just to get to today, and tomorrow probably won't be any better. [[JustForFun/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife And all you have to do is browse TV Tropes at 3 AM]]. But you're here because you want to know and learn and share. And aren't those things worthwhile too? |
| 603 | * As noted in the laconic version of this trope, the statement "you are better than you think you are" is backed up with an explanation or motivation ''why'' the person making this speech believes this (something which isn't reflected in the Superman picture atop this page and some entries). To borrow the example with the disabled person, this motivation would come in pointing out that while they might never walk again (in case of wheelchair-bound people), they have gotten amazing victories in chess, are very talented in singing, drawing, writing inspirational speeches, or what-have-you. They can't walk, but they're ''not'' worthless. Without this sort of motivation, "yes you can" or "you are better than you think you are" falls flat and can come over insulting or condescending. Or give the impulse to look at the first entry of this page's Real Life examples and ask "''why?''". |
| 604 | ** ''But'' it's also important to remember, as some forget, that a person with a disability is (generally) capable of things that people don't realize they're capable of - that sometimes the person themselves doesn't realize they could do. There are countless examples of people with disabilities breaking through barriers, starting with the Special Olympics and including a Down's Syndrome woman graduating from college, an Autistic teenager writing a book about her experiences[[hottip:*:after learning to type and proving to her surprised parents that she actually had a fully-functional mind in there despite being unable to talk or control much of her body]], and a kid born without arms growing up to become a motivational speaker. Having a disability ''usually'' doesn't mean you can't leave a mark on the world and ''definitely'' doesn't mean you're worthless. |
| 605 | * People often start physical training and the like vastly underestimating their own abilities, especially if their lifestyle doesn't really involve strenuous work. A part of the trainer's job isn't just building them up physically, but showing their client just how strong they are when they're pushed. |
| 606 | * Herb Brooks's speech to his US hockey team right before the famed "Miracle on Ice" game, when the amateur squad beat the four-time defending champs from the USSR in the 1980 Olympic semifinals, arguably the greatest sports upset ever: |
| 607 | -->''One game; if we played them ten times, they might win nine. But not this game, not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them, and we shut them down because we can. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world.'' |
| 608 | * In psychology, "impostor syndrome" is a feeling where talent outstrips confidence. The so-called "impostor" is somebody who's actually pretty good at what they do but believes that they aren't really that good. When faced with proof of their success, they protest that it was a fluke, that they got lucky, or even insist that it wasn't them. This causes people who could do better to not seek promotions, pay raises, etc. because they believe that they aren't deserving of such things. In extreme cases, they live in fear that someone will realize they've been "faking it" and fire/leave/abandon them. These kinds of fears are almost never true and can hold people back from achieving their full potential. A big part of getting through impostor syndrome is being told and shown that "you're better than you think you are" repeatedly, both through concrete proof of accomplishment and positive reinforcement. |
| 609 | ** Children are not immune to impostor syndrome, especially if they've been raised with abusive discipline and punishment. While the conventional wisdom is that kids create an ImaginaryFriend to blame misbehavior on, children have also been known to ascribe good deeds, successes, and achievements to such non-existent companions. |
| 610 | ** Creator/NeilGaiman famously tells the story of meeting Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the Moon, at a convention for people who had done assorted awesome stuff. Gaiman was feeling like quite the impostor, when Armstrong mentioned that he also felt like an impostor since he never really did anything special. Gaiman was shocked because he looked up to Armstrong, who continuously downplayed his once-in-a-lifetime achievement as no big deal. |
| 611 | [[/folder]] |
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