Analyzing Proverbs
@proverbsbehave.bsky.social
Digital identity SME. Durham University Anthropology postgraduate. Writing a book about the intersection of proverbs and behaviour. All for one, and one for all. I also freelance as a cybersecurity writer and have worked in the discipline for decades.
Pinned
Group cooperation and behaviours that underpin it are hotly debated. Here are 9 behaviours we use to develop cooperation in groups:
A: Honesty
B: Cheat deterrence
C: Tit for Tat
D: Tit for Two Tats
E: Conformism
F: Reputation
G: Nepotism
H: Pay it Forward
I: Altruistic punishment
A: Honesty
B: Cheat deterrence
C: Tit for Tat
D: Tit for Two Tats
E: Conformism
F: Reputation
G: Nepotism
H: Pay it Forward
I: Altruistic punishment
Look for the intersections across disciplines, folks. It holds the answers, don't just 'pick a path', interesting article about integrative intelligence:
www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/soci...
www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/soci...
This Is the Rarest Type of Intelligence
Integrative intelligence distinguishes minds that make connections across disciplines. Why is it disappearing so fast?
www.psychologytoday.com
July 16, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Look for the intersections across disciplines, folks. It holds the answers, don't just 'pick a path', interesting article about integrative intelligence:
www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/soci...
www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/soci...
PMQs today, everyone was being lovely to each other, cooperating and kind; if only countries were run altruistically and as an egalitarian force. Maybe, and this may be a dreamer writing, with the right understanding of who we are and structures in place, they could be...
July 15, 2026 at 12:08 PM
PMQs today, everyone was being lovely to each other, cooperating and kind; if only countries were run altruistically and as an egalitarian force. Maybe, and this may be a dreamer writing, with the right understanding of who we are and structures in place, they could be...
Nigel Farage, using the politics of divide and conquer, well, I never. It's us vs. them; the establishment or the people? All for one, and one for all; it's a tactic that works. But group cooperation works both ways. Will the people of Clacton see through this manipulation? Cheaters never prosper?
July 7, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Nigel Farage, using the politics of divide and conquer, well, I never. It's us vs. them; the establishment or the people? All for one, and one for all; it's a tactic that works. But group cooperation works both ways. Will the people of Clacton see through this manipulation? Cheaters never prosper?
Great opportunity here for the right freelancer: The School for Moral Ambition run fellowships, community programs, and campaigns that empower talented people to work on the world's most pressing problems.
#freelanceopportunities #writer #freelanceeditor
www.moralambition.org/jobs/freelan...
#freelanceopportunities #writer #freelanceeditor
www.moralambition.org/jobs/freelan...
Moral Ambition | Job: Freelance Writer/Editor
July • 16 h/w • Amsterdam (remote)
www.moralambition.org
June 23, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Great opportunity here for the right freelancer: The School for Moral Ambition run fellowships, community programs, and campaigns that empower talented people to work on the world's most pressing problems.
#freelanceopportunities #writer #freelanceeditor
www.moralambition.org/jobs/freelan...
#freelanceopportunities #writer #freelanceeditor
www.moralambition.org/jobs/freelan...
My favorite human behavior is Pay it Forward. At a Dairy Queen drive-thru in the USA, a man asked to pay for the meal of the person behind him. The kind acts continued until 900 cars had participated.
You reap what you sow (no religious intention meant BTW)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-u...
You reap what you sow (no religious intention meant BTW)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-u...
More than 900 cars 'pay-it forward' in random act of drive-through kindness
One driver offered to pay for the driver behind him at a drive-through and hundreds followed suit.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 14, 2026 at 9:08 AM
My favorite human behavior is Pay it Forward. At a Dairy Queen drive-thru in the USA, a man asked to pay for the meal of the person behind him. The kind acts continued until 900 cars had participated.
You reap what you sow (no religious intention meant BTW)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-u...
You reap what you sow (no religious intention meant BTW)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-u...
@jerichowriters.bsky.social Just had a fantastic 1-2-1 session (I won't use the agent's name). I was over the moon with the advice and the practical actions given to make my work accessible to a broader audience. It was such a worthwhile thing to do, thank you to Jericho Writers and the agent. 👏🤩
May 27, 2026 at 3:19 PM
@jerichowriters.bsky.social Just had a fantastic 1-2-1 session (I won't use the agent's name). I was over the moon with the advice and the practical actions given to make my work accessible to a broader audience. It was such a worthwhile thing to do, thank you to Jericho Writers and the agent. 👏🤩
A reader of my blog asked me about the proverb All for one, and one for all - here's my reply:
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Is blood thicker than water or are we all for one, and one for all?
Can we learn a thing or two from The Three Musketeers?
open.substack.com
April 24, 2026 at 12:43 PM
A reader of my blog asked me about the proverb All for one, and one for all - here's my reply:
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Fly Agaric, my little writing friend.
April 22, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Fly Agaric, my little writing friend.
More on pesky humans and how we behave when we're together. Are you a conformist? Bet you are, even if you think you're not.
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Getting our hands dirty: Pesky humans and how they behave: Conformism
I'll begin with conformism, as Will (@strangeface) asked about it.
open.substack.com
April 21, 2026 at 9:31 AM
More on pesky humans and how we behave when we're together. Are you a conformist? Bet you are, even if you think you're not.
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Behave yourself! Conflict or cooperation?
Want to know what drives humans to cooperate?
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Want to know what drives humans to cooperate?
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Behave yourself: The behaviours that create group cooperation
All for one, and one for all
open.substack.com
April 15, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Behave yourself! Conflict or cooperation?
Want to know what drives humans to cooperate?
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Want to know what drives humans to cooperate?
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Conformism is evident in the proverb data. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do", "Don't upset the apple cart".
Can you think of any others?
A cheat deterence
B honesty
C Tit for tat
D Tit for two tats
E conformism
F reputation
G nepotism
H pay it forward
I altruistic punishment
Can you think of any others?
A cheat deterence
B honesty
C Tit for tat
D Tit for two tats
E conformism
F reputation
G nepotism
H pay it forward
I altruistic punishment
April 9, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Conformism is evident in the proverb data. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do", "Don't upset the apple cart".
Can you think of any others?
A cheat deterence
B honesty
C Tit for tat
D Tit for two tats
E conformism
F reputation
G nepotism
H pay it forward
I altruistic punishment
Can you think of any others?
A cheat deterence
B honesty
C Tit for tat
D Tit for two tats
E conformism
F reputation
G nepotism
H pay it forward
I altruistic punishment
Reposted by Analyzing Proverbs
Tit for Tat or Tit for Two Tats (forgive first), which is the better option in a war of attrition such as the current Iran war? Of course, it's a bit more complex than that, but one of them is a winning strategy...which one would be yours?
#iran #war #titfortat
#iran #war #titfortat
a man wearing glasses and a sweater says " an eye for an eye "
Alt: a man wearing glasses and a sweater says " an eye for an eye "
media.tenor.com
April 7, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Tit for Tat or Tit for Two Tats (forgive first), which is the better option in a war of attrition such as the current Iran war? Of course, it's a bit more complex than that, but one of them is a winning strategy...which one would be yours?
#iran #war #titfortat
#iran #war #titfortat
Tit for Tat or Tit for Two Tats (forgive first), which is the better option in a war of attrition such as the current Iran war? Of course, it's a bit more complex than that, but one of them is a winning strategy...which one would be yours?
#iran #war #titfortat
#iran #war #titfortat
a man wearing glasses and a sweater says " an eye for an eye "
Alt: a man wearing glasses and a sweater says " an eye for an eye "
media.tenor.com
April 7, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Tit for Tat or Tit for Two Tats (forgive first), which is the better option in a war of attrition such as the current Iran war? Of course, it's a bit more complex than that, but one of them is a winning strategy...which one would be yours?
#iran #war #titfortat
#iran #war #titfortat
We need cooperation, not conflict. Evolution has given us the tools to build cohesive societies based upon cooperative behaviors.
Read more on Proverbsbehave on Substack
#humanbehaviour #cooperationnotconflict #cooperation
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Read more on Proverbsbehave on Substack
#humanbehaviour #cooperationnotconflict #cooperation
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Humans, behavior, and cooperative groups
Conflict or cooperation, who will win?
open.substack.com
April 5, 2026 at 5:51 PM
We need cooperation, not conflict. Evolution has given us the tools to build cohesive societies based upon cooperative behaviors.
Read more on Proverbsbehave on Substack
#humanbehaviour #cooperationnotconflict #cooperation
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Read more on Proverbsbehave on Substack
#humanbehaviour #cooperationnotconflict #cooperation
open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Proverbs aren't the boss of me...well, actually...
More on human behavior controlled by proverbs:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
More on human behavior controlled by proverbs:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Proverbs aren't the boss of me
Well, actually...
substack.com
April 3, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Proverbs aren't the boss of me...well, actually...
More on human behavior controlled by proverbs:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
More on human behavior controlled by proverbs:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
I'll be writing more on human cooperation, proverbs, human behavior, and anything else in our world that feels relevant over on Substack on Proverbsbehave. First introductory post here: open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
April 2, 2026 at 9:34 AM
I'll be writing more on human cooperation, proverbs, human behavior, and anything else in our world that feels relevant over on Substack on Proverbsbehave. First introductory post here: open.substack.com/pub/proverbs...
Group cooperation and behaviours that underpin it are hotly debated. Here are 9 behaviours we use to develop cooperation in groups:
A: Honesty
B: Cheat deterrence
C: Tit for Tat
D: Tit for Two Tats
E: Conformism
F: Reputation
G: Nepotism
H: Pay it Forward
I: Altruistic punishment
A: Honesty
B: Cheat deterrence
C: Tit for Tat
D: Tit for Two Tats
E: Conformism
F: Reputation
G: Nepotism
H: Pay it Forward
I: Altruistic punishment
April 1, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Group cooperation and behaviours that underpin it are hotly debated. Here are 9 behaviours we use to develop cooperation in groups:
A: Honesty
B: Cheat deterrence
C: Tit for Tat
D: Tit for Two Tats
E: Conformism
F: Reputation
G: Nepotism
H: Pay it Forward
I: Altruistic punishment
A: Honesty
B: Cheat deterrence
C: Tit for Tat
D: Tit for Two Tats
E: Conformism
F: Reputation
G: Nepotism
H: Pay it Forward
I: Altruistic punishment
“Proverbs fulfill the human need to summarize experiences and observations into nuggets of wisdom that provide ready-made comments on personal relationships and social affairs.” (Wolfgang Mieder, 2007)
March 31, 2026 at 12:22 PM
“Proverbs fulfill the human need to summarize experiences and observations into nuggets of wisdom that provide ready-made comments on personal relationships and social affairs.” (Wolfgang Mieder, 2007)
My research at Durham Uni was on proverbs and their role in group cooperation. I used the paremiological minimum from six countries and mapped it to nine human behaviours. I'll share proverbs here. I wonder if you'll have the same view of the behaviours they represent?
ALT:
media.tenor.com
March 29, 2026 at 9:46 AM
My research at Durham Uni was on proverbs and their role in group cooperation. I used the paremiological minimum from six countries and mapped it to nine human behaviours. I'll share proverbs here. I wonder if you'll have the same view of the behaviours they represent?
This BlueSky account is a prelude to a book I'm writing on the intersection of proverbs with human behaviour. For now, check out a YouGov survey on people's views towards proverbs.
The full survey can be found here:
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Pr...
The full survey can be found here:
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Pr...
a black background with the words honesty is the best policy written in blue
ALT: a black background with the words honesty is the best policy written in blue
media.tenor.com
March 28, 2026 at 4:09 PM
This BlueSky account is a prelude to a book I'm writing on the intersection of proverbs with human behaviour. For now, check out a YouGov survey on people's views towards proverbs.
The full survey can be found here:
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Pr...
The full survey can be found here:
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Pr...