History Main / YouAreNotReady

Commonly uttered phrase by powerful -- often {{Sufficiently Advanced|Alien}} -- beings when lesser lifeforms (like our heroes) ask for assistance or [[LowCultureHighTech technical support]]. Oftentimes, the heroes get a hold of the information or gear for themselves, and the point is proven or refuted. (If the hero keeps insisting for an answer, they may get an ArmorPiercingResponse, which may prove that they're indeed not ready.)

In other situations, this can be a line uttered by either TheMentor or the BigBad. In the former case, he is telling our young hero not to be brash and preparation is very important (though the hero will rarely listen). In the latter case, it is used as a rather [[LargeHam hammy]] [[TrashTalk taunt]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', OldMaster Jeong Jeong says this to Aang about his wanting to learn firebending. Traditionally, the Avatar learns the elements in the order of the Avatar cycle (Air-Water-Earth-Fire), so Aang wouldn't be ready to learn firebending until he mastered water and earth. Though Jeong Jeong relents, it's proven that Aang ''wasn't'' ready, as his impetuousness results in Katara getting burned.
* In ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'', Azmuth considers Ben to be this regarding the new Omnitrix he is building (He changes his mind by the end of the series, though).
* In the SequelSeries ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', the Order of the White Lotus thinks of this for Korra, believing she wasn't ready to learn Airbending because of her lack of spirituality. But thanks to Katara approving of Korra learning it, they instantly agree with her. Experience prove both Katara and the White Lotus have a point. Korra ''wasn't'' ready to learn airbending yet. But by leaving her sheltered home and going to Republic City, she matures enough to learn it.
* In episode four of ''WesternAnimation/DeltaState'' Brodie states that Phillip is not even close to taking on the BigBad when he wants revenge after [[spoiler:they murder Chanterelle, someone who could have had answers to his past.]]
* In Episode XXXII of ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'', after Jack fails to defeat The Guardian and gain access to the time portal, we see in a FlashForward that Jack will eventually use the portal when he's ready. [[spoiler:[[BigBad Aku]] decided [[ScrewDestiny he didn't like that idea]], [[ThreadOfProphecySevered blew up the portal and (presumably) killed the Guardian too]] over the 50-year {{Timeskip}}.]]

* The ''Franchise/StarWars'' example between Luke and Yoda was parodied in ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuyPresentsLaughItUpFuzzball.''

* A recurring element ''WesternAnimation/SuperMarioWorld1991'' would be the heroes would try to provide some innovation to help the cavemen of Dome City. But in some episodes, they overdo it and cause a mess. For example, "The Wheel Thing". Mario introduces the wheel, but then goes ahead and begins making cars for everyone. Needless to say, the lack of driving etiquette result in a ''lot'' traffic jams, car crashes, and unhappy cavemen.

** In ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'', Yoda informs Luke of this when he goes to face Vader on Cloud City. Vader himself emphasizes the point that Luke is "not a Jedi yet" right before their fight, and then [[JustToyingWithThem proves it]].

* In the SequelSeries ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', the Order of the White Lotus thinks of this for Korra, believing she wasn't ready to learn Airbending because of her lack of spirituality. But thanks to Katara approving of Korra learning it, they instantly agree with her.\\\\
Experience prove both Katara and the White Lotus have a point. Korra ''wasn't'' ready to learn airbending yet. But by leaving her sheltered home and going to Republic City she matures enough to learn it.

** Played even more straight with Anakin's accession to Jedi Master in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''. Mace Windu knows a thing or two about ready, and Anakin is not ready. Similarly, Yoda confronted Palpatine on his own because Obi-Wan, while strong, was not yet nearly strong ''enough'' to face the Dark Lord of the Sith.

* ''Film/{{Sphere}}''. A depressing thought to Norman.
-->'''Beth:''' What's the matter, Norman?
-->'''Norman:''' It's a little hard to let go of. Something that could've been... this gift? The power to make your dreams come true. We're given the greatest gift in the history of mankind. We're given this magic ball. And it says "lmagine what you will and you can have it." That's an extraordinary gift, but we're so primitive we... we manifested the worst in us, because what we have inside us... is what we have inside of us, instead of the best of us. What does that say?
-->'''Harry:''' We weren't ready, Norman.
-->'''Normal:''' We have what's called an imagination. I mean, look what we're capable of. We can... ''(sighs)'' We're not ready.

* {{Subverted}} in Chapter 62 of ''Fanfic/BlazBlueAlternativeRemnant''. When Yang asks Qrow why he and her dad never told her the truth about her mother (the fact that she was a ruthless bandit leader who'd rather lie and kill than be with her family), Qrow says that it wasn't because they felt Yang wasn't ready to hear the truth. If anything, it's that ''they'' weren't ready to open up about it.

* It was implied Shayna Baszler had tried to tell Nicole Savoy this when the latter announced her intentions to enter a 2016 catch as catch can tournament. Savoy would admit she wasn't quite ready after being eliminated by Baszler.

* A recurring element ''WesternAnimation/SuperMarioWorld1991 would be the heroes would try to provide some innovation to help the cavemen of Dome City. But in some episodes, they overdo it and cause a mess. For example, "The Wheel Thing". Mario introduces the wheel, but then goes ahead and begins making cars for everyone. Needless to say, the lack of driving etiquette result in a ''lot'' traffic jams, car crashes, and unhappy cavemen.

* ''VideoGame/BrothersInArms'': In ''Hell's Highway'', following a mortar attack that [[spoiler:kills Friar, badly wounds Campbell, and gives Hartsock a CareerEndingInjury]], Col. Robert Sink asks Sgt. Baker on who should be promoted to [[spoiler:replace Hartsock as 2nd Squad Leader]]. When Baker chooses [[spoiler:Paddock]] over [[spoiler:Corrion]], the latter gets furious, and questions Baker on why he's been passed over for promotion for a fourth time. Matt then gives him an ArmorPiercingResponse combined with this trope, stating that [[spoiler:thanks to his inactions in Eindhoven that ultimately got Franky killed ([[DiedInYourArmsTonight in Baker's arms, no less]], on top of not following the very principles he preached]], he was not ready to handle commanding an entire squad of men.

** When [[{{Determinator}} Luffy]] tries to go up against all three [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking Admirals]] at Marineford, he gets hit with this. ''Hard.''
--->'''Admiral Akainu''': If nothing else, I praise your tenacity.\\
'''Admiral Aokiji''': But you're not ready for this stage yet.\\
'''Admiral Kizaru''': There's no way you can beat us, you know?
*** Luffy actually seems to listen to this and realized his crew is not strong enough to survive the New World. So via a secret message, he orders them to train for the next two years.

->'''The Dragonborn''': Surely there's more you can tell me.\\
'''Master Arngeir''': There is indeed much that we know that you do not. That does not mean that you are ready to understand it.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

** In the first season episode "Deathwalker". A notorious war criminal has created a serum that gives the user immortality. Despite the heinousness of her crimes, Earth's government pardons her in return for turning over the formula. As she leaves the station, she reveals to the characters that had reacted to her in disgust the evil twist involved: every dose of the formula required [[PoweredByAForsakenChild killing another person of the same species]]. She intended to give the formula to everyone, and watch as they all fell into self-destructive chaos as a result to prove her twisted reasoning right. However, as she's leaving, a Vorlon ship appears through the jump gate and destroys the ship with her on it. When questioned about it, Ambassador Kosh says simply, "You are not ready for immortality."

** Sebastian, the Inquisitor sent by Vorlons to test Delenn's resilience and spirit, replies with this to Sheridan's questions about Vorlons.
** After Vorlons [[spoiler: leave the galaxy]] Lyta, who had been tightly involved with them, said that it would take humans more than a million years to get ready for a visit to the Vorlon homeworld.

* Basically the reason the Vulcans gave for not giving humans the technology to go to Warp 5 pre-''Series/StarTrekEnterprise''. The NX-01 is the humans' Warp 5 prototype, nearly 50 years and much enmity between humans and Vulcans later.

* In ''Manga/DragonBall'', Master Roshi panics when Yamcha and Krillin first attempt the kamehameha wave, fearing that they'd die if they released that much energy at once. {{Subverted|Trope}} when both of them [[StrongAsTheyNeedToBe pull it off flawlessly]].

* ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI'': Creepy guy in brown cloak: "One who knows nothing, can understand nothing..." (referring to Sora)
** Subverted, as creepy guy is later shown to be greatly mistaken about his beliefs and knowledge. [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII The sequel]] features another arrogant old man with a thing for vague statements about your ignorance, he turns out to be wrong about many things too. The Kingdom Hearts world isn't a good place to be an enigmatic mentor.
** The latter example, though, actually turns things around. In the end, he admits his own ignorance and uses the knowledge he gained from the experience to make the Big Bad's defeat possible.

* ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'': As far as the other species are concerned, Humanity is not ready for a human Spectre, or a seat on the Citadel Council. [[spoiler: By the end of the game, they have both.]]
** Technically, humanity was ready for a Spectre appointment about two decades before the game takes place. However, the potential Spectre candidate was framed by the game’s BigBad to torpedo his chance.

* The nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty was put in place with this exact justification -- that nations which didn't already have nuclear weapons for decades at this point in time, won't have the cultural maturity and restraint to be able to use them wisely. Owing to the fact that the nations allowed to be exempt from this treaty were primarily European or European derived nations [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and China]], [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement this treaty is open to controversy.]]

[[folder:Film]]

* Subverted in Chapter 62 of ''Fanfic/BlazBlueAlternativeRemnant''. When Yang asks Qrow why he and her dad never told her the truth about her mother (the fact that she was a ruthless bandit leader who'd rather lie and kill than be with her family), Qrow says that it wasn't because they felt Yang wasn't ready to hear the truth. If anything, it's that ''they'' weren't ready to open up about it.

* In the SequelSeries ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', the Order of the White Lotus thinks of this for Korra, believing she wasn't ready to learn Airbending because of her lack of spirituality. But thanks to Katara approving of Korra learning it, they instantly agree with her.\\
\\

* In episode four of ''WesternAnimation/DeltaState'' Brodie states that Phillip is not even close to taking on the BigBad after [[spoiler:they murder Chanterelle, someone who could have had answers to his past.]]

* In episode four of ''WesternAnimation/DeltaState'' Brodie states that Phillip is not even close to taking on[[Sven and Maria]] after [[spoiler:they murder Chanterelle, someone who could have had answers this his past.]]

* In ''Manga/OnePiece'', when [[{{Determinator}} Luffy]] tries to go up against all three [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking Admirals]] at Marineford, he gets hit with this. ''Hard.''
-->'''Admiral Akainu''': If nothing else, I praise your tenacity.\\

** Luffy actually seems to listen to this and realized his crew is not strong enough to survive the New World. So via a secret message, he orders them to train for the next two years.

* Subverted in Chapter 62 of ''Fanfic/BlazBlueAlternativeRemnant''. When Yang asks Qrow why he and dad never told her the truth about her mother (the fact that she was a ruthless bandit leader who'd rather lie and kill than be with her family), Qrow says that it wasn't because they felt Yang wasn't ready to hear the truth. If anything, it's that ''they'' weren't ready to open up about it.