The Hermes Code

[u/NocturnalNight03]

Hello!

I wanted to share a small project I've been working on about using Hermes' many amazing qualities to create a framework for communication in daily life. Specifically, I made this because I was struggling to communicate effectively at work, and wondered what Hermes might do differently. I've called my results so far "The Hermes Code", and have created 12 tenets so far. These are not grounded in research or data, just a fun project.

The Hermes Code

1. Observe before acting

1. Know more than you reveal

2. Document important decisions

3. Maintain options

4. Speak clearly

5. Keep your promises

6. Build bridges across boundaries

7. Become useful enough to be remembered

8. Never waste information

9. Move quickly when the door opens

10. Don't fight battles that don't advance your goals

11. Leave every interaction with your reputation intact

If anyone has any suggestions, or ways to make the list more Hermes, I'd be happy to hear it 😊

[u/laboheme1896]

I love it! And to be honest, I’m just glad to see a post involving the word “code” on here that isn’t about AI.

[u/houseofhermes]

These codes were created with Hermes in mind, and saying that I believe he would like these. I like them a lot.

[u/kalazalim]

These are all super solid basics of being a decent participant in society I think. Beautifully captured the essence of Hermes and how communication can be so nuanced and complex.

[u/Haunting_Brilliant21]

The one thing I kept thinking while reading the list is that some of these feel more like generally good advice for dealing with people at work than specifically Hermes, which I don’t necessarily think is a bad thing. But I think the really interesting part would be figuring out WHY each one is Hermes.

For example, “build bridges across boundaries” immediately feels very Hermes to me. He’s constantly crossing boundaries and moving between different worlds, people, places, and roles. “Never waste information” also feels very Hermes because of the connections to messages, communication, exchange, commerce, and knowledge.

On the other hand, things like “keep your promises” or “document important decisions” could probably belong to almost any philosophy of professional life.
I also think “know more than you reveal” is interesting because it gets into the trickster side of Hermes. Depending on what you mean by it, that could be discretion and knowing when NOT to say something, but it could also become something more Machiavellian. And honestly, I think that tension is where Hermes gets really interesting. He isn’t just the messenger. He’s clever, opportunistic, sometimes deceptive, and very good at navigating situations and boundaries.

One other thought: have you considered narrowing it down to seven? Not necessarily because there’s anything wrong with having twelve, but seven has some really nice associations here. You already have the seven Hermetic principles, and seven has a pretty significant place in the broader Hermetic tradition. It could give the whole thing a nice underlying structure while forcing you to figure out which seven ideas are really essential.

Since this started from having trouble communicating at work, I wonder if a useful way to develop each one would be to ask, “What would Hermes notice about this situation that I’m not noticing?”

Who actually has the information? What isn’t being said? Is there another route around the problem? Who needs to understand whom? Is this a situation where I should speak, negotiate, wait, or move? Is there an opportunity I’m overlooking? That seems like it could turn this from a list of good workplace advice into something that actually feels like a Hermes framework.

I wouldn’t necessarily make every tenet sound mythological, either. I actually like that they’re simple and practical. I’d just connect them more deeply to the stranger and more interesting aspects of Hermes. Anyway, I think you’ve got a really cool starting point here. I’d definitely keep developing it.

[u/NocturnalNight03 → u/Haunting_Brilliant21]

Thank you, this is excellent feedback! I also felt like some of the original 12 felt too Machiavellian, which was not the original intent. Also, thanks for plugging the 7 Hermetic principles; that was a great suggestion! I will definitely take all this into account

[u/Son_of_Ibadan]

Really cool, I love these because these are genuinely good advice and I know but don't practice consciously. Thank you for reminding me.