->''"If you believe in yourself, eat all your school, stay in milk, drink your teeth, don't do sleep, and get 8 hours of drugs, you can get work!"''
-->-- '''Creator/MrT''' {{parody}}, ''[[Series/SaturdayNightLive TV Funhouse]]''

Stock Aesops are the morals that the writers and [[ExecutiveMeddling producers]] of TV most often love to explore. They sometimes contradict each other, but it's a clumsy writer indeed who sticks [[MindScrew two contradictory aesops into the same script]], which can either [[BothSidesHaveAPoint prove them both to be good advice]] or create a BrokenAesop. When AnAesop [[HardWorkFallacy contradicts the typical beliefs of society]], [[ViolenceReallyIsTheAnswer offends the]] MoralGuardians, or [[HigherUnderstandingThroughDrugs promotes an "unconventional" belief]], it's a HardTruthAesop.

Because times change, some older Aesops tend to be seen as [[FairForItsDay Fair For Their Day]] or ValuesDissonance.

On the other hand, if they're treated as profound moral insights, they risk being seen as a CaptainObviousAesop to the audience.

Many are OlderThanFeudalism. And some, indeed, come straight from the original Literature/AesopsFables.
----
!!Examples:
[[index]]
[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:On Agreement]]
* All points of view are equally valid.
* StrangeMindsThinkAlike: Two unlikely people can have the same idea.
* [[YesMan The Foolish Seldom Differ]]
* AgreeToDisagree
* WithUsOrAgainstUs: You choose one or the other. There's no middle ground.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Ambition]]
* [[ToBeAMaster Aspire To Greater Things, and work hard to achieve them]]
* LivingIsMoreThanSurviving: A Man's Reach Should Exceed His Grasp.
* CarpeDiem: Seize the day, for you may not live tomorrow.
* ItsTheJourneyThatCounts
* AmbitionIsEvil: Unfortunately, that also makes you '''evil'''.
* It's LonelyAtTheTop
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: [[ExactWords Ya just might get it]].
* SweetAndSourGrapes: Learn to appreciate your situation as it is.
* ICouldaBeenAContender: the chances you don't take, or don't ''get'' to take, are the ones you regret the most
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Appearance, Beauty, and Clothing]]
* BeautyIsBad
* BeautyEqualsGoodness
* [[UnnecessaryMakeover Clothes Make The Man]]
* [[HiddenDepths Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover]]
* EvilMakesYouUgly
* [[SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains Good People Dress Modestly]]
* TrueBeautyIsOnTheInside
* UncleanlinessIsNextToUngodliness
* Beware the [[AWolfInSheepsClothing Wolf in Sheep's Clothing]]
* Beware a ManOfWealthAndTaste
* Take Pride In Your Appearance
* Don't Be Vain
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Authority, Government]]
* DemocracyIsBad
* DemocracyIsFlawed
* [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure Trust Authority]]
* TVNeverLies: Question Authority
* DisobeyThisMessage: We're Telling You, Think For Yourself
* YouCannotKillAnIdea: Stopping the proponent of an idea doesn't necessarily mean that no one else will follow the idea's principles.
* It's MyCountryRightOrWrong
* War crimes are bad, even if you were JustFollowingOrders.
* RousseauWasRight: There is good in humanity.
* HobbesWasRight: Leading through fear is necessary.
* MachiavelliWasWrong: Leading through fear is bad.
* GentleTouchVsFirmHand: Lead with a balance of softness and strictness.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Belief]]
* BeliefMakesYouStupid: Beliefs and opinions based on blind faith (such as religion) instead of logical evidence cause you to think and act irrationally.
* GodIsGood
* HopeSpringsEternal
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Caution and Planning]]
* Live Dangerously and [[InHarmsWay Throw Caution To The Wind]].
* Look Before You Leap.
* He Who Hesitates Is Lost. Strike While The Iron is Hot.
* An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men often go awry.
* [[UsefulNotes/GunSafety Be very careful with tools designed to kill.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Change, Progress, and Technology]]
* GoodOldWays: Change Is Bad.
* LuddWasRight: Progress Is Bad.
* EvilLuddite: Opposing Progress Is Bad.
* PerfectionIsStatic: Never-Ending Perfection Is Bad.
* ScienceHero: Influencing Progress Is Good.
* Even though technology can be great, not everything can be automated.
* Change can be scary and hard to understand at first, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Conformity, Individuality, and Tradition]]
* BeYourself: Accept who you are.
* BlitheSpirit: Change tradition and convert everyone else to your views.
* TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong: You should always agree with your friends.
* Conform to Expectations, 'cause great-grandma knows best.
** Subverted: Giving in to expectations are more trouble than it's worth.
* CryingWolf: If you lie about danger too often, no one will believe you when the day comes that you're being truthful about it.
* PeerPressureMakesYouEvil: Don't give into peer pressure.
* PygmalionSnapBack: Accept people for who they are and let others be themselves.
* TallPoppySyndrome: The Nail That Stands Out Gets Hammered Flat.
* TrendAesop: Giving into materialism, peer pressure, and/or the silly/fickle nature of fashion is more trouble than it is worth.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Cruelty, Kindness, and Trust]]
* PowerOfTrust: Trust makes people stronger.
* If you don't have trust, you have nothing.
* BetrayalTropes: Some people should not be trusted.
* ChildrenAreInnocent
* KidsAreCruel
* AndroclesLion: Kindness is returned in kind.
* LaserGuidedKarma: Cruelty is returned in kind.
* You can only push someone so far before they break.
* Don't be AllTakeAndNoGive, because [[Music/TheBeatles in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make]].
* TheFarmerAndTheViper: Don't be kind to evil.
* GoodIsNotSoft: Don't take kindness for weakness.
* MiseryBuildsCharacter: A little suffering is good for the soul.
* EnemiesEqualsGreatness: Having enemies is good for you.
* TheGoldenRule: Do unto others as you would have done unto you.
* The best ''REAL'' magic is being kind and good to others!
* TooSmartForStrangers: Don't trust people you don't know, especially if you're a kid.
* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: Being kind to others doesn't necessarily guarantee that you will be justly rewarded or even appreciated.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Curiosity and Science]]
* CuriosityKilledTheCast: Curiosity killed the cat.
** CuriosityIsACrapshoot
** Curiosity saved the cat.
* [[IDoNotLikeGreenEggsAndHam Keep an open mind and be willing to try new things]] (like Literature/GreenEggsAndHam) -- maybe you'll like them!
* There are ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow, and learning about them [[GoMadFromTheRevelation are bad for your sanity and happiness]].
* ScienceIsBad: Scientific and technological achievements are not always good for our world.
** ScienceIsWrong: Science doesn't offer any true answers.
** [[ForScience Science Makes You Crazy]]: Studying science without any regard for morality makes you an {{Evil|Genius}} MadScientist.
** Alternatively, ScienceIsGood! Every scientific discovery makes us less ignorant and can improve our world.
*** ScienceHero: When science falls under the hands of good people, more awesome discoveries are made, and each discovery can be integrated within society for the better.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Destiny]]
* BecauseDestinySaysSo: Accept Your Destiny.
* ScrewDestiny: Shape Your Own Destiny.
* ThereAreNoCoincidences: Nothing Happens By Chance; Everything Is Destined.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Differences]]
* PrejudiceAesop: Bigotry and discrimination are stupid and wrong. Treat others with equal dignity and respect.
** FantasticRacism: A lesson against real-life bigotry, [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything but filtered through (not-so-)subtle allegories and metaphors]].
** GayAesop: Treat {{UsefulNotes/LGBT}} people with acceptance and tolerance.
* HandyShortcoming
* SillyReasonForWar: Your differences are minuscule. Just get along already!
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Effort]]
* If something is worth doing at all, it's worth doing well.
* Failing Is Better Than Doing Nothing
* QualityOverQuantity: Few but high-quality trumps many but low-quality.
* CheatersNeverProsper: People who cheat will ultimately face punishment for doing so.
* NoChallengeEqualsNoSatisfaction: It's no fun winning unless you actually had to put in an effort.
* [[TalentedButTrained All the talent in the world won't mean anything if you don't hone it]], unless you're Music/JimiHendrix.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Family]]
* BabiesMakeEverythingBetter: Having children can improve your relationship.
* Blood is ThickerThanWater: Your Relatives Are Your Best Friends.
* ChildrenRaiseYou: Looking after a child can mature you.
* Family Is A Hindrance: Show The Other Generation What You're Really Worth.
* WhenYouComingHomeDad: it's important to build bonds and settle differences with ones family while one has the chance.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Force]]
* {{Forgiveness}}: You should forgive those who wrong you. [[ThisIsUnforgivable Unless]] [[MoralEventHorizon you]] [[BeyondRedemption shouldn't.]]
** ForgivenButNotForgotten: ...and even if you did, you should never forget what they've done.
* MightMakesRight: The strongest are the ones who decide what's okay.
** RightMakesMight: Essentially, when things get bad, treating others with kindness and resect will lead to stronger bonds, as leading through fear will have them jump ship when the chance presents itself.
* RevengeIsNotJustice: Two wrongs don't make a right.
** DisproportionateRetribution: Going over and beyond when it comes to punishing wrongdoers is never good.
** HeWhoFightsMonsters: Getting revenge will corrupt you.
** IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim: It's bad to kill a bad person because then you'd be stooping to their level.
** IfYouTauntHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim: It's bad to get back at a jerk because you'd be stooping to their level.
** VengeanceFeelsEmpty: Getting revenge won't give you satisfaction you hoped for.
* TurnTheOtherCheek: Break The CycleOfRevenge.
* ViolenceReallyIsTheAnswer: Sometimes, people can't be reasoned with through discussion, and psychical force needs to be employed.
** ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption: Being stronger and more aggressive is the only way to stop an aggressor.
* True strength is not about who can hit hardest.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Friendship]]
* ThePowerOfFriendship conquers all.
* FalseFriend: Well, maybe they weren't really your friends.
* LonersAreFreaks: If you don't have friends, there's something wrong with you.
* InTheEndYouAreOnYourOwn: However, even if you have friends they won't always be there, and there's some things [[ThisIsSomethingHesGotToDoHimself you have to do yourself.]]
* LoonyFriendsImproveYourPersonality: People who are extroverted to the point of being too much to handle can bring you out of your shell.
* Be a FriendToAllLivingThings
* SomebodyDoesntLoveRaymond: Not everyone in the world has to like you, for a friend to all is a friend to none.
* BefriendingTheEnemy: Making friends with an enemy will cause them to change their ways.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Health and Safety]]
* AntiAlcoholAesop: If you start drinking alcohol, it can have a negative impact on your life.
* DiseasePreventionAesop: Practice proper hygiene and sanitation, so that you won't catch some nasty infections!
* DrugsAreBad, [[WesternAnimation/SouthPark mmmkay]]? If you start using recreational substances, it can ruin your life.
** Or: DrugsAreGood! All of that anti-drug stuff is just propaganda. They really let you achieve HigherUnderstandingThroughDrugs because... uh, reasons?
* MissedMealAesop: Don't skip a meal.
* SafeDrivingAesop: Be careful when you drive a vehicle, because it will literally mean the difference between life or death on the road.
* SelfCareEpiphany: Looking out for others is good and all, but remember to take care of yourself as well.
* SleepAesop: Get enough sleep!
* AWeightyAesop: Junk food is bad for you. Eat healthier foods instead, like fruits and vegetables.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Honesty and Integrity]]
* Don't Be Completely Honest ([[BrutalHonesty The Truth Hurts]], and Little White Lies Are Comforting And Convenient. And of course, you must protect your SecretIdentity.)
** TheyreCalledPersonalIssuesForAReason
** Some things are better left unsaid.
* HonestAxe: Honesty Is The Best Policy (And Will Totally Get You The InfinityPlusOneSword.)
* HonestyAesop: Always tell the truth.
* What happens in the dark always comes to light; for secrets cannot remain hidden forever, and the truth has a way of revealing itself when the time is right and when one least expects it.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Honor]]
* HonorBeforeReason: The honorable thing to do isn't always the smart thing to do.
* NotCheatingUnlessYouGetCaught
* WhatYouAreInTheDark matters.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Immortality]]
* LivingForeverIsNoBigDeal: Immortality is alright.
* LivingForeverIsAwesome: Immortality rules!
* WhoWantsToLiveForever: Immortality sucks!
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Initiative]]
* LeeroyJenkins: Fools rush in.
* MissedTheCall: He who hesitates is lost.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Intellectualism]]
* TVGenius, BookDumb, DumbIsGood, BrilliantButLazy: Studying Is Overrated.
* AwesomeByAnalysis: Knowledge is power.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Intuition and First Impressions]]
* DontThinkFeel
* SubvertedSuspicionAesop: Always trust your first impressions.
* SuspicionAesop: First Impressions Are Misleading. Sometimes things are MoreThanMeetsTheEye.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Justice]]
* FreudianExcuse: Cut your ArchEnemy some slack -- he had a rough childhood.
* FreudianExcuseIsNoExcuse: Suffering a traumatic past does not make it okay to do bad things to other people.
* AsLongAsThereIsOneMan...
** JusticeWillPrevail,
** and EvilWillFail, because EvilCannotComprehendGood.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Kinship]]
* Blood Is ThickerThanWater
* DoesntTrustThoseGuys: Don't be racist; they can't ''all'' be that bad, despite [[VillainousLineage their relatives all being evil]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Literature]]
* Actions Speak Louder Than Words.
* The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword.
* InDefenceOfStorytelling: Storytelling has inherent value.
* ThePowerOfLanguage: Language and writing have power (or, sometimes, are powerless in the end).
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Love]]
* ThePowerOfLove conquers all.
* WrongGuyFirst: Be careful who you give your heart to.
* LoveAtFirstSight: You'll ''just know'' when your true love shows up, what with the [[BishieSparkle golden lights]] and [[HeartSymbol floating hearts]] and all.
* LoveAtFirstPunch: You'll hate each other at first, though.
* LoveMakesYouCrazy
* LoveMakesYouDumb: Love can sometimes override common sense.
* LoveMakesYouEvil: Sometimes, love can bring out [[IfICantHaveYou the]] [[MurderTheHypotenuse worst]] [[StalkerWithACrush in]] [[{{Yandere}} people]].
* LoveRedeems: Sometimes, love can bring out [[HappilyMarried the]] [[RescueRomance best]] [[CantActPervertedTowardALoveInterest in]] [[BattleCouple people]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Material Possessions and Wealth]]
* CapitalismIsBad
* AllThatGlitters is not gold.
* GrailInTheGarbage
* If you choose money over love, you will always be poor.
* OneMansTrashIsAnothersTreasure: What one person sees as worthless, another may see as valuable.
* The price of greed is always much higher than any treasure.
* You can have all the SolidGoldPoop you want, it's [[WorthlessYellowRocks worthless]].
* WantingIsBetterThanHaving: Getting what you desire can turn out to be worse than simply longing for it.
* The TrueMeaningOfChristmas: It's better to give than to receive.
* YouGetWhatYouPayFor
* AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted
* A penny saved is a penny earned.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Media and Entertainment]]
* AntiEscapismAesop: Reality is better than fiction.
* DigitalPiracyIsEvil: It's wrong to download media without paying for it.
** DigitalPiracyIsOkay: It's perfectly okay to download media without paying for it.
* InDefenceOfStoryTelling
* OldMediaAreEvil
** NewMediaAreEvil
** SocialMediaIsBad: It cannot substitute for genuine human relationships and can have bad effects if one obsesses over it.
* ReadingIsCoolAesop: Reading can be really fun and useful.
* ThinkOfTheChildren: You are responsible for the kids' well-being, not the media.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On the Natural World]]
* GreenAesop: Earth's natural environment is being threatened by the growth of human civilization, so let's try to protect and save it.
* NatureIsNotNice: The natural wilderness is a harsh, hostile, and indifferent place where animals suffer and die. And humans are not safe from it either.
** NaiveAnimalLover: Don't ever assume that wild animals are [[AllAnimalsAreDomesticated tame and friendly]]. Treat them with proper caution and respect, and keep your distance from them.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Patience]]
* All Good Things Come To He Who Waits.
* [[BystanderSyndrome Time and Tide Wait For No Man.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Perseverance]]
* {{Determinator}}: Never give up.
* EvilIsEasy, but it takes true fortitude to do the right thing.
* HopeSpringsEternal
* KnowWhenToFoldEm: Sometimes you have to give up.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Positive and Negative Attitude]]
* TheAntiNihilist: Life sucks, [[EarnYourHappyEnding but we can make it better]].
* DeterminedDefeatist: You're bound to fail, but still try anyways.
* ThePollyanna: Keep a positive attitude in times of peril.
* SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers: Take off those JadeColoredGlasses and don't be negative.
* SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids: Being a WideEyedIdealist is foolish.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Power]]
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility: If you're gifted with a special ability or talent, or given a position of authority or influence, please act wisely and don't abuse your powers over other people.
** WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Because (more often than not), having absolute power may corrupt someone absolutely.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Pride]]
* [[AGodAmI Don't play God]]; it never ends well.
* [[PrideBeforeAFall Pride comes before a fall]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Principle]]
* You Have To Be Willing To Compromise
* Stick To Your Guns
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Relationships]]
* BirdsOfAFeather Flock Together.
** [[FairWeatherFriend ...Until The]] [[BetrayalByInaction Cat Comes.]]
* OppositesAttract: A couple can fall in love even if they're completely different and have nothing alike.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Sex]]
* ButWeUsedACondom: "Condoms are effective, not perfect." Though this storyline is [[Administrivia/SeenItAMillionTimes used so often]], it ends up feeling more like "Condoms don't work at all, so don't even bother with them."
* SexEqualsLove (even when it's rape)
* Love Is Not Sex
* CantHaveSexEver: Love is more important than sex.
* VirginityMakesYouStupid, SexAsRiteOfPassage: You aren't an adult until you've had sex.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Specialization]]
* MasterOfNone: You can do everything, but you can't do everything THAT well if you can't be the JackOfAllTrades.
* CripplingOverspecialization: You do one thing very well, but you can't do anything else straight.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Spontaneity]]
* Don't Be Shy
* Don't Get In Over Your Head
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Teamwork]]
* Two heads are better than one. Many hands make light work.
* TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup: A project can go awry if there are too many people involved in it.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Time]]
* Have Fun LikeYouWereDying
* Work Now To Enjoy A Great Future
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On War]]
* WarIsHell: War is just cruel and terrible bloodshed. Can we please give peace a chance?
** ArmiesAreEvil: Soldiers are [[BlindObedience weak-willed drones]] who exist only to [[RapePillageAndBurn kill and destroy]].
* WarIsGlorious: War is a heroic and patriotic adventure. Pacifism is for cowardly traitors!
** StrawCivilian: Civilians are [[DirtyCoward spineless cowards]] who have [[JustForFun/DyingLikeAnimals no sense of duty or responsibility]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:On Women]]
* Treat Girls Nice
* Treat Girls The Same As Guys
* ShowingUpChauvinists: Women are at least as competent as men.
* YouGoGirl: Women are just as good at sports as men.
* WomenAreWiser: Women have more common sense.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:The Lessons of History]]
* ALessonInDefeat: The greatest teacher, failure is.
* TheDinosaursHadItComing: Immoral behavior is what drives species extinct.
* HistoryRepeats: Those who [[IgnoredAesop fail to]] [[AesopAmnesia remember history]] are [[HereWeGoAgain doomed to repeat it]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Other Aesops]]
* Follow TheCardinalVirtues
* FearIsNormal: It's okay to be scared.
* Follow the SevenHeavenlyVirtues.
** Avoid the SevenDeadlySins.
* WhenLifeGivesYouLemons, make lemonade!
* MistakesAreNotTheEndOfTheWorld
* GiveAManAFish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
* [[ThePresentsWereNeverFromSanta Be careful where you get your power, your validation, and the justification for your actions]].
* ...And the reason for all the contradictions is the Golden Mean: Nothing In Excess. Everything in moderation, [[GoldenMeanFallacy including moderation]].
* GoingHomeAgain after flunking the big leagues allows you to reconnect with your loved ones.
* You will never truly learn your lesson if you don't pay the price.
[[/folder]]

[[/index]]
----
For every proverb, there is an equal and opposite proverb.
----