Five Times When Cartoons Were Wiser
Times of Bennett | Updated: Oct 06, 2025 10:19
Correspondent: Vanya Chhabra & Megha Lahiri
Motivational speakers love their spotlights and step-by-step guides to success. However, sometimes the wisest life lessons don’t come from a TED Talk but they come from cartoons. In the middle of animated chaos these characters dropped truths so simple that even adults can’t ignore them. Cartoons don’t just entertain us but they shape how we think.
MasterOogway – Kung Fu Panda
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
Here, Master Oogway was always seen as a character of wisdom as he always used a simple pun that even a kid can understand. Instead of obsessing over the past or worrying about the future, focus on the present because that’s literally the only time you have control over so live in the present.
Homer Simpson – The Simpsons
“Trying is the first step towards failure.”Sounds overly pessimistic, right? But Homer is secretly reminding us that failure is inevitable and normal. Every time you try, you risk failing but without trying, you don’t even get the chance to grow. While motivational speakers promise constant success, Homer highlights the uncomfortable truth where failure is the first step towards success
Mufasa
– The Lion King
“Remember who you are.” WhenSimba loses himself, Mufasa reminds him of his roots and responsibilities. Motivational speakers often say “find your purpose,” but Mufasa condenses it into four words. True power comes from remembering your identity, not chasing someone else’s idea of success.
SpongeBob SquarePants
“I’m Ugly and I’m Proud”
In one of his most chaotic moments, SpongeBob belts out this line after worrying he isn’t good-looking.When we were watching the episode it seemed hilarious but also kind of genius. The show tells us to own our quirks and be confident. Being okay with who you are matters more than being perfect.
Dory – Finding Nemo
“Just keep swimming.”
Dory isn’t handing out a five-year plan or a motivational blueprint for success. She's just a little fish who forgets everything except how to keep moving forward.When life feels like too many deadlines, drama, or just plain bad days. Her advice is a reminder that you don’t need to figure everything out at once. Sometimes it’s enough to take a little step and “Just keep swimming.”
From a kung fu-loving turtle to a forgetful fish, cartoons have been handing us wisdom long before we knew the word “self-help.” Maybe that’s why their messages stick with us. So the next time life feels overwhelming, skip the motivational podcast and switch on a cartoon. Who knows? The smartest advice you hear might just come from a sponge, a lion, or even a forgetful little fish.
Article signed off by Megha & Vanya aka the BAMC duo who never miss a chance to drop a Top 5 bombshell.
Motivational speakers love their spotlights and step-by-step guides to success. However, sometimes the wisest life lessons don’t come from a TED Talk but they come from cartoons. In the middle of animated chaos these characters dropped truths so simple that even adults can’t ignore them. Cartoons don’t just entertain us but they shape how we think.
Master
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
Here, Master Oogway was always seen as a character of wisdom as he always used a simple pun that even a kid can understand. Instead of obsessing over the past or worrying about the future, focus on the present because that’s literally the only time you have control over so live in the present.
“Trying is the first step towards failure.”Sounds overly pessimistic, right? But Homer is secretly reminding us that failure is inevitable and normal. Every time you try, you risk failing but without trying, you don’t even get the chance to grow. While motivational speakers promise constant success, Homer highlights the uncomfortable truth where failure is the first step towards success
Mufasa
“Remember who you are.” When
“I’m Ugly and I’m Proud”
In one of his most chaotic moments, SpongeBob belts out this line after worrying he isn’t good-looking.When we were watching the episode it seemed hilarious but also kind of genius. The show tells us to own our quirks and be confident. Being okay with who you are matters more than being perfect.
Dory – Finding Nemo
“Just keep swimming.”
Dory isn’t handing out a five-year plan or a motivational blueprint for success. She's just a little fish who forgets everything except how to keep moving forward.When life feels like too many deadlines, drama, or just plain bad days. Her advice is a reminder that you don’t need to figure everything out at once. Sometimes it’s enough to take a little step and “Just keep swimming.”
From a kung fu-loving turtle to a forgetful fish, cartoons have been handing us wisdom long before we knew the word “self-help.” Maybe that’s why their messages stick with us. So the next time life feels overwhelming, skip the motivational podcast and switch on a cartoon. Who knows? The smartest advice you hear might just come from a sponge, a lion, or even a forgetful little fish.
Article signed off by Megha & Vanya aka the BAMC duo who never miss a chance to drop a Top 5 bombshell.
