Your overall pattern: The Survivor (The Mercenary)
Note: In this context, "Evil" refers to high self-interest.
You are the ultimate realist. You don't care about "Law" or "Chaos" as ideologies; you view them as tools. Sometimes the law protects you, so you follow it. Sometimes the law hinders you, so you break it. The only constant is your drive to advance your own position. You are not out to destroy the world, but you certainly aren't going to sacrifice yourself to save it.
Imagine a survivor on a desert island. You do what needs to be done. You are adaptable, shrewd, and focused. You don't have the "honor" of the Lawful type to hold you back, nor the "wildness" of the Chaotic type to make you sloppy. You are efficient, quiet, and effective at getting what you want.
"Ideally, I want to win with the rules. But if I have to choose between the rules and winning, I choose winning."
Typical behaviors
- Calculated Self-Interest: You help others only when it creates a debt they must repay later.
- Flexibility: You can fit into a corporate boardroom or a street fight equally well, adapting your mask to the situation.
- Emotional Detachment: You tend to view people as resources or obstacles rather than complex emotional beings.
Strengths in this pattern
- Resourcefulness: You find a way to succeed when others give up. You aren't limited by "we've always done it this way."
- Self-Preservation: You are extremely difficult to exploit. You see a scam coming a mile away because you know how the game is played.
Common pitfalls
The fortress of self is cold:
- Trust Issues: Because you always look for the angle, you assume everyone else is doing the same. It is hard for you to trust anyone.
- Empty Victories: You might reach the top of the mountain only to realize you left everyone else behind.
"Reflection point: If you view every interaction as a transaction, you will never know the value of a gift."
What you can do next
Small actions you can start today
- No Strings Attached: Give a compliment or a small gift today with zero expectation of return. Watch how it feels.
- Vulnerability: Share a small failure with a trusted person. Let your guard down for five minutes.
Longer-term directions
- Win-Win Thinking: Shift from "I win, you lose" to "I win, you win." It’s a smarter long-term strategy anyway.
- Tribe Building: Expand your definition of "Self" to include your family or team. Protecting "us" is a higher evolution of protecting "me."
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This test describes patterns of behavior and values for educational purposes only. It is not a clinical diagnosis. If your pragmatism leads to a pattern of deceit, manipulation, or lack of empathy, please consult a mental health professional.