History Main / RightMakesMight

** Straight up [[Averted|Trope]] with the passion of Jesus: despite being the Son of God, He suffered and died like a low criminal in the cross, humilliated and abandoned by everyone but St. Mary and St. John; while His death was necessary to bring salvation to mankind, it must be mentioned that the way he died further divorces the correlation between might and right. This also became ingrained in the tradition of the Martyrs, as they were sentenced to death for their faith and choose to remain with Christ, even if it meant a horrible end.

** ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'':
* It was stated several times in the original continuity that the two sons of Sparda are perfectly equal or evenly-matched in every way; power, ability, [[AlwaysIdenticalTwins face]], etc. to the point where some of their battles are tied; their physical differences are only due to circumstances or preference. Naturally, Dante beats Vergil in their final clash in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening'' after having just [[JumpedAtTheCall awoken to justice]] or having realized what he's fighting for. This trope is a decisive factor in favor of Dante, as the original continuity also stated several times that Vergil has a much stronger control over his demonic powers (specifically the [[SuperMode Devil Trigger]] form, which Vergil acquired first before Dante) and takes his training more seriously.

* It was stated several times in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'''s continuity that the two sons of Sparda are perfectly equal in every way; power, ability, faces, etc. Naturally, Dante beats Vergil in their final clash, after having just [[JumpedAtTheCall awoken to justice]]. Keep in mind, in the same continuity, it also stated several times that Vergil has a much stronger control over his devil powers (specifically the devil trigger) and takes his training more seriously.

** This also applies to the ''[[VideoGame/DmCDevilMayCry DmC: Devil May Cry]]'' continuity, where Dante is UnskilledButStrong while Vergil is about as strong, yet also has superior skill. As expected, [[spoiler: during their duel, Dante's ChaoticGood triumphs over Vergil's mix of LawfulNeutral and LawfulEvil]].
** In ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'''s climax, [[spoiler: even after fully awakening to the blood of Sparda, Nero should clearly be no match for the stronger and more skilled Vergil, and yet he manages to defeat him. It should be noted though that Vergil had been fighting Dante earlier and was most likely exhausted from it.]]

Very prevalent in {{sho|nenDemographic}}unen anime and western comic books, but really, this has been used to deliver morals throughout history. It was even assumed in ancient times in Western civilization to ''work in real life'', on the logic that God or gods would help them win. It is still often considered true for more nuanced reasons, which essentially amount to the fact that EvilIsEasy but [[EvilWillFail self-destructive]], while Good is DifficultButAwesome.

Very prevalent in {{sho|nenDemographic}}unen anime and western comic books, but really, this has been used to deliver morals throughout history. It was even assumed in ancient times in Western civilization to ''work in real life'', on the logic that God or gods would help them win. It is still often considered true for more nuanced reasons, which essentially amount to the fact that EvilIsEasy but Good is DifficultButAwesome.

* Many ''Franchise/StarWars'' game stories turn out this way. Usually the light side of TheForce is just better... because it is. Even if you are allowed to create the end yourself, you can be sure, that somewhere after this particular incident good will win anyway ('cause both ''Videogame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' took place before the prequels, where the good guys were in charge... more or less).

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* [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist L]] of ''Manga/DeathNote'' seems to believe this, with lines like, "JusticeWillPrevail!" and, "Let's show him that the good guys always win." {{Light|IsNotGood}}, on the other hand, believes the opposite - making this one interesting aspect of their clash of ideals.

* The titular character from ''Manga/SaintSeiya'' is driven by justice, ThePowerOfFriendship, and his [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl love for Saori (that is, the Goddess Athena.)]] He's a Bronze Saint --[[UnderdogsNeverLose the lowest class of guardian, beneath Silver and Gold Saints, Specters, Marine Shoguns, and God Warriors]]-- and he's arguably the least naturally powerful of the FiveManBand. And yet, his [[{{Determinator}} all-encompassing determination]] to defeat evil has allowed him to [[TimeToUnlockMoreTruePotential awaken the Seventh Sense]] and fight actual ''Gods'' to a standstill. At least, hold them back long enough for Athena herself to finish the job.

* Whenever ComicBook/CaptainAmerica throws [[{{Anvilicious}} His Mighty Shield]], you can see this written on it in six-inch letters. His {{Nigh Invulnerab|ility}}le {{Unobtainium}} shield is literally reinforced with American Righteous Might - not [[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve Self-Righteous Might]]. [[EagleLand America is the Greatest Country in the World]] - but only when it ''[[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism maintains its idealism]].''

* In ''Film/TheKarateKid'' movie series, the protagonists often overcome stronger, more experienced adversaries through the strength of conviction and self-respect.

* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', the White Cloaks have a Trial Beneath the Light, in which judgement is dispensed by the accuser and accused fighting to the death. The White Cloaks, being KnightTemplar, haven't used this particular trial in 400 years. And just to make sure the reader knows who's going to win: Eamon Valda, the accused, goes up to the Galad Damodred, the accuser, and mentions that Galad's stepmother was healthy when he last saw her and that "she was the best ride I ever had, and I hope to ride her again one day."
** Though this is ultimately subverted in that it's not superior strength or skill on Galad's part that wins the duel but a trick capitalizing on Valda's overconfidence.
* The Galahad quote above is referenced and mocked in Literature/{{Discworld}}:

* The fantasy-medieval-Europe civilization of ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' has the "trial by combat" legend too. Most of the characters are too cynical to believe in it, but they're willing to play along with superstition when it's useful. Most 'trial by combat' so far has had "accurate" results, however, [[spoiler:when Tyrion is on trial for killing [[TheCaligula King Joffrey, his sociopathic nephew]], his champion faces off against the prosecution's champion, the {{card carrying villain}} Gregor Clegane. Clegane dies the slow, KarmicDeath of a poisoned spear -- but manages to bludgeon Tyrion's champion before dying, sentencing an innocent man to death]].
** The degree of "accuracy" is debatable. Aside from Tyrion's successful escape, Dunk has avoided punishment for the 'crime' of kicking the prince who deserved it, and we never find out if the Red Widow from the Sworn Sword was actually guilty, only that she loses the trial.
*** It's hard to say whether Dunk's case is playing this trope straight or not. He got in trouble because he wasn't familiar enough with the court or knightly etiquette. However, the trial by combat turned out the way it did for the same reason: [[spoiler: he was losing badly until he started to fight dirty.]]
*** The trope is given a TitleDrop by house Wydman, whose words are "Right Conquerors Might."
* Twisted in ''Literature/TheBrightestShadow''. The Hero's power operates by this logic even when what he's doing is horrifying. It's effectively about how horrifying this trope is if you don't agree with the "right" side.

* In Creator/JohnMilton's ''Literature/ParadiseLost'', Abdiel laments that this is not so, and that Satan should be powerful after fallen.
-->''wherfore should not strength & might\\
There fail where Vertue fails, or weakest prove\\
Where boldest; though to sight unconquerable?''

* Literature/TheBible - [[PlayingWithATrope Played with]] - Gideon has an army of 22,000 that God says is too many because then Israel might think they won with their own strength rather than God's support, averting a possible MightMakesRight. There are only 10,000 left, and then God gives them ultimate Hebrew test of righteousness - ritual physical cleanliness. If they lap water from a stream like dogs instead of cupping it with their hands, they go home. There are only Film/ThreeHundred men left and they triumph.

* Pun aside, after Josianne tried her hand at being [[{{face}} the kind wrestler SAWmill and PGWA crowds would cheer for]] failing [[HeroWithAnFInGood horribly at it]] and losing title match to Tracy Taylor after being caught cheating, Genni Right took her on in a match to prove Josianne should stick to the rules because it was ultimately the best way to win matches, not because fans like it.[[/folder]]

* The source of the powers wielded by the [[AmazonBrigade Sisters]] [[ChurchMilitant of]] [[KillItWithFire Battle]] in the ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' universe is never explained. All the other races' powers, whether they see them as religious, arcane or psychic in origin, actually ultimately derive from [[HyperspaceIsAScaryPlace the Warp]], which is anathema to the Sisters' religion. They're either unknowing {{hypocrite}}s, or get their power from another source altogether. The official explanation is that their belief in the Emperor, of whom they are officially his wives (since they're nuns and nuns are married to their God etc), is so strong it actually reaches him on Terra and makes him send miracles to aid them in battle. Considering how they are just about the only army whose "magic" looks divine and positive rather than base (other Imperial forces, Eldar), bestial (Orks) or even outright vile (Chaos, Tyranids), if still clearly KnightTemplar, maybe they do have a point.
** The book ''Horus Rising'' plays with this trope in the character of Kyril Sindermann. Sindermann spends the first half of a chapter giving a speech about tyrants and bullies using the "might is right" argument to argue morality. This is juxstaposed with the Imperium invading and subjugat-excuse me, [[InsistentTerminology "bringing into compliance"]] a world that just wanted to be left alone. Sindermann says "We are not right because we are mighty, we are mighty because we are right", and it's up to the reader to decide if the Imperium is actually a force for good or if it's no better than the tyrants it claims to overthrow.
* True to the source material, the ''TabletopGame/StarWarsD20'' game makes Dark-side Force users advance in power more quickly than [[MagikarpPower Light-siders]], but have a lower cap, meaning that a high-level Light-sider has an edge.

* A recurring bit in the ''Franchise/MegaMan'' series, both games and other media, is Proto Man telling Bass that his obsessive desire to be the strongest robot is what keeps him from defeating Mega Man, who fights for the greater cause of protecting everyone. Bass never gets it.
** Duo also tells Bass that acknowledging and fighting for justice will make him stronger. Coming from someone who is one of the strongest characters in the entire franchise because of his 'Justice Energy,' you'd think Bass would get the hint.
* In the computer game ''VideoGame/FreedomForce'', the main hero, The Minuteman, [[TropeNamers actually says]] "Right Makes Might!" He's also your most damaging melee fighter (if not the sturdiest), so he is apparently right on that.

* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' has an ability, called "Valor" or "{{Hot Blood|ed}}", that [[GameBreaker doubles the damage of the next attack]]. Its use is balanced by its price: most most pilots can use it two or three times a stage at high levels. ''Every'' ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' ''seishin'' spell is something like this, from Courage and Love (essentially LastDiscMagic) to Trust (healing) to Hard Work and Luck (doubled rewards for killing). Which can produce interesting in-jokes - [[Anime/GunBuster Noriko's]] first two ''seishin'' were, true to the spirit of Coach Oota, '''Hard Work and Guts!'''
** Narrative-wise, this is very much used in any games. How do you think that the good guys always wins against impossible odds? Because they are fueled with positive emotions and being HotBlooded in refusal to give up the fight for goodness. Even characters from cynical series would end up being less cynical, start believing in righteousness (in as much as they can muster) and then end up prevailing along with the optimistic good guys.

* In ''Videogame/PlanescapeTorment'', the character Vhailor embodies this trope. A "Mercykiller" who died long before the beginning of the game, he is now held together solely by his burning hunger for justice, and it is stated that his strength is equivalent to the degree of injustice that he's facing at the time - [[spoiler: as can be seen if you choose him to resurrect at the final battle, where he'll gain ludicrous stat bonuses and utterly trample the final boss]].

* Many ''Franchise/StarWars'' game stories turn out this way. Usually the light side of TheForce is just better... because it is. Even if you are allowed to create the end yourself, you can be sure, that somewhere after this particular incident good will win anyway ('cause both ''Videogame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' took place before the prequels, where the good guys were in charge... more or less).
** {{Enforced|Trope}} by Creator/GeorgeLucas's policy. In a Star Wars game, only the "Light Side" path is considered canonical. This prevented Obsidian from doing a KillEmAll ending and forced them to prop up the Light Side path they were working so hard on deconstructing.
** This is a JustifiedTrope, in that the Dark Side canonically grants more raw power, but is toxic and self-destructive in the long run.
** ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords'', despite its deconstructionist tendencies, still gave stat bonuses for filling your KarmaMeter to one side or the other. The bonus for a full light side Jedi Guardian? +3 to your Strength score. Meaning that right ''literally'' makes might.

* In ''Webcomic/WakeTheSleepers'', [[http://wakethesleepers.com/comics/71 Oralee's reason for believing Locke will win: he's nice.]]

* Bionic-1 uses this exact phrase in a ''WesternAnimation/BionicSix'' episode.

* A rare villainous example in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' - [[WellIntentionedExtremist Zaheer]], Book 3's BigBad, believes that his new airbending abilities are due to this trope. He had, apparently coincidentally, been studying Airbender lore for years beforehand; this meant that unlike the other new benders he was a master from the moment he gained the power. He takes this as a sign from the universe that his cause is a righteous one.

*** In World War II, America was frantic to get the best people for crucial wartime activities, and relaxed their existing prejudices against women and African-Americans. Their outstanding contributions to the war - best known for "Rosie the Riveters" and the Tuskegee Airmen but by no means limited to them - is believed to have been one major factor that laid the groundwork for the success of the Civil Rights Movement.

This is one of the main components of JapaneseSpirit. See also: HeroicResolve, AsLongAsThereIsOneMan. Contrast WrittenByTheWinners, which {{deconstruct|ion}}s this belief by pointing out that due to ValuesDissonance, every side of a conflict will always believe they will prevail over the other because ''their'' cause is the right cause.

--> '''ComicBook/WhatIf #44''': ''[[SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped Without its ideals -- its commitment to the freedom of all men]], America is [[ThisLoserIsYou a piece of trash]]!''

* The final fight between [[spoiler:Shirou and Kotomine]] in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' is a mild example of this, pitting the former's ideal against a person who is the antithesis of that ideal and considers it idiotic. The [[spoiler:Shirou/Archer]] fight in Unlimited Blade Works is a sheer endurance match for [[spoiler:Shirou to try and defend his ideals against a man who was betrayed by the very same ideal and wants Shirou to give up on it]]. Finally, the trope is {{defied|Trope}} in Heaven's Feel where [[spoiler:Shirou once again fights Kotomine but recognizes that he has long since lost any moral high ground and that the battle is merely that of two equally selfish and NotSoDifferent wishes clashing against each other]].

This is one of the main components of JapaneseSpirit. See also: HeroicResolve, AsLongAsThereIsOneMan. Contrast WrittenByTheWinners, which {{deconstruct|ion}}s this belief by pointing out that due to ValuesDissonance, every side of a conflict will always believe they will prevail over the other because ''[[PerspectiveFlip their]]'' cause is the right cause.

This is one of the main components of JapaneseSpirit. See also: HeroicResolve, AsLongAsThereIsOneMan. Contrast WrittenByTheWinners, which {{deconstruct|ion}}s this belief by pointing out that due to ValuesDissonance, every side of a conflict will always believe they will prevail over the other because ''their'' cause is the right cause.

This is one of the main components of JapaneseSpirit. See also: HeroicResolve, AsLongAsThereIsOneMan. Contrast WrittenByTheWinners, which {{deconstruct|ion}}s this by pointing out that due to ValuesDissonance, every side of a conflict will always believe ''they'' are the righteous ones who will prevail over the other.

This is one of the main components of JapaneseSpirit. See also: HeroicResolve, AsLongAsThereIsOneMan. Contrast WrittenByTheWinners, which {{deconstruct|ion}}s this by pointing out that due to ValuesDissonance, every side of a conflict will always believe ''they'' are the righteous ones who will prevail.

This is one of the main components of JapaneseSpirit. See also: HeroicResolve, AsLongAsThereIsOneMan. Contrast WrittenByTheWinners, which is essentially a {{deconstruction}} of the belief that Right Makes Might.

This is one of the main components of JapaneseSpirit. See also: HeroicResolve, AsLongAsThereIsOneMan.

** In order to teach Film/{{Thor}} a lesson in humility and compassion, Odin casts a curse/geas on the Divine Hammer Mjölnir that allows only those with a kind and noble heart to wield, much less lift it, before casting his hot-headed and violent firsborn son to Earth for re-igniting a bloody war with the Frost Giants of Jotunheim. Only through the three days he spent as a mortal man did Thor learn the value of selflessness, love and kindness, and only then was he deemed worthy of wielding Mjölnir once more.
** Doctor Abraham Erskine chose the sickly but kind and gentle boy Steve Rogers to be the prototype candidate for the Super Soldier Project because he ''adamantly'' believes that it takes a kind-heart to creat the Ultimate Warrior, not strength or obedience. He is of course laughed off by the cynics in charge of the US Military, who believe violent and obedient bullies are what it takes to win wars, not kindness. But when Steve Rogers finally becomes Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger, he proved them all wrong with flying colors.

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'''s Might Guy actually believes in this, but it's impact on the show is questionable, as his apprentice, Rock Lee, is forbidden from using his most powerful techniques except for when it's to protect a friend or loved one. Also questionable in the fact that [[TheWorfEffect Rock Lee loses a lot.]] In Naruto, there's one sure-fire way to win which even works for Lee. Promise someone important that you will win. Naturally, you can't break your promise, so you'll just have to win instead. Guy, however, plays it straight, never having lost one fight on-screen. Even his supposed failure to defeat [[PhysicalGod Madara]] counts as a victory as he stalled Madara long enough for Naruto to arrive, thus successfully protecting the people he cared about.

* In general it can be convincingly claimed that EvilIsEasy but Good is DifficultButAwesome. [[TheAlliance Mutual cooperation, alliances, and diversity]] may be harder to pull off in some ways but the results are self evident. At a minimum, people you are cooperating with are people you don't have to fight. And at best you get something greater than the sum of it's parts. This is also the fundamental reason for HonorAmongThieves: even if you don't care about morality, a reputation for honesty is [[PragmaticVillainy just better business.]] This also applies to seemingly amoral and ruthless fields like war and spycraft. Studies by the CIA, of all people, have determined that TortureIsIneffective and is more likely to make your enemies fight to the death than anything else. [[RapePillageAndBurn War crimes against civilians]] cost you informants, effectively recruit for your enemy, and on top of it they lead to poor discipline in your troops. And authoritarian governments and warlords tend to collapse quite dramatically in short order, because the [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder paranoia]] and inevitable [[YesMan toadies]] that come from emphasizing loyalty over all lead to ''very'' [[VillainBall poor decision making.]] Not to mention the pervasive fear of being subject to ShootTheMessenger if you dare cross the party line. Even seemingly self-sacrificing choices such as accepting refugees turn out to have a karmic payoff, since economic studies have shown that in the long run having people around who are ready to work hard for a new life becomes a major economic boon. And the better they are supported and helped to get on their feet, the faster and better the results.

This is obviously intended to be AnAesop on how TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin and JusticeWillPrevail. In these cases, the implication that Right Makes Might comes off as an equivalence, which is most likely not what the writers intended. Often, the writers will make the opponent KickTheDog by fighting like a {{Heel}}, which will result in either the hero winning anyway through brute force, or the enemy's KarmicDeath. Other time's they'll make an opponent want [[DisproportionateRetribution revenge rather than justice]], taking away from whatever righteousness their cause had. That being said, it's still a slightly more acceptable philosophy than the inverse: MightMakesRight.

If the defeated party acknowledges the wrong of his/her/their ways, this may also include DefeatMeansFriendship. If the meaning of the battle is supposed to be particularly obvious, the characters will actually engage in a WorldOfCardboardSpeech or TheReasonYouSuckSpeech before or [[TalkingIsAFreeAction during]] the battle, explaining their particular beliefs, the lessons they've learned and why they have faith that they will carry them through this battle successfully.

This is obviously intended to be AnAesop on how TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin but it can come off as a FamilyUnfriendlyAesop that is functionally JusticeWillPrevail (those who prevail are justice). In these cases, the implication that Right Makes Might comes off as an equivalence, which is most likely not what the writers intended. Often, the writers will make the opponent KickTheDog by fighting like a {{Heel}}, which will result in either the hero winning anyway through brute force, or the enemy's KarmicDeath. Other time's they'll make an opponent want [[DisproportionateRetribution revenge rather than justice]], taking away from whatever righteousness their cause had. That being said, it's still a slightly more acceptable philosophy than the inverse: MightMakesRight.

-->-- '''William Jennings Bryan'''

This trope can be more or less {{justified|Trope}} by the story showing just ''why'' the Right philosophy is better (even for winning in combat) in the end. One possibility is that the good guys rely on character-building virtues like dedication and teamwork while the villains bluster and bully their way through life, leaving the latter unready to face a real test. If nothing else, the ''belief'' that Right Makes Might could [[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve make it happen]] by encouraging the heroes or demoralizing the villains. It could also be that the hero's resolve and dedication to an idea that they hold to be greater than their self interest, [[ExplosiveOverclocking allows them]] [[DangerousForbinddenTechnique to go past]] [[HeroicRROD limits]] [[CastFromHitPoints the villains]] [[CastFromLifeSpan wouldn't dare,]] even to making the [[HeroicSacrifice ultimate sacrifice.]] After all, the villains tend to value their lives above all and see defeat as failure whereas the heroes see stopping the villain as victory itself and surviving in one piece as a luxury.

This trope can be more or less {{justified|Trope}} by the story showing just ''why'' the Right philosophy is better (even for winning in combat) in the end. One possibility is that the good guys rely on character-building virtues like dedication and teamwork while the villains bluster and bully their way through life, leaving the latter unready to face a real test. If nothing else, the ''belief'' that Right Makes Might could [[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve make it happen]] by encouraging the heroes or demoralizing the villains.

[[folder: Anime and Manga]]

[[folder: Live Action TV]]

[[folder: Mythology and Religion]]

** This also applys to the ''[[VideoGame/DmCDevilMayCry DmC: Devil May Cry]]'' continuity, where Dante is UnskilledButStrong while Vergil is about as strong, yet also has superior skill. As expected, [[spoiler: during their duel, Dante's ChaoticGood triumphs over Vergil's mix of LawfulNeutral and LawfulEvil]].

** This also applys to the ''[[VideoGame/DmCDevilMayCry DmC: Devil May Cry]]'' continuity, where Dante is UnskilledButStrong while Vergil is about as strong, yet also has superior skill. As expected, [[spoiler: during their duel, Dante's ChaoticGood triumphs Vergil's mix of LawfulNeutral and LawfulEvil]].

** This also applys to the ''[[VideoGame/DmCDevilMayCry DmC: Devil May Cry]]'' continuity, where Dante is UnskilledButStrong while Vergil is about as strong, yet also has superior skill. As expected, [[spoiler: during their duel, Dante's ChaoticGood trumps Vergil's mix of LawfulNeutral and LawfulEvil, Dante wins anyway]].