Parables for Wooden Ears was the debut studio album released by the Australian band Powderfinger. It was released on 18 July 1994 by Polydor Records, after recording at Melbourne's Metropolis Studios in February 1994.

The album was received poorly and failed to chart, or improve Powderfinger's platform after the meager success of its predecessor, Transfusion. Critics complained about its poor imitation of Americana and grunge, as well as its overuse of complex riffs. In a 2004 interview, Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning said "God knows what we were on then" in reference to the album. Three singles were released from the album, all of which failed to chart.