Proverbs Test

With 60 questions and an estimated completion time of 11 minutes, the Proverbs Test explores how you respond to proverbs about values, relationships, work, learning, independence, and life outlook. Your profile can highlight recurring moral and practical priorities, giving you a structured starting point for self-reflection and personal insight.

Questions: 6011 minutes

October 2, 2025October 2, 2025Material has been updatedOctober 2, 2025Material has been published

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2,162 completions

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Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

LowL

Measures the degree to which undesirable versus prosocial value attitudes predominate in a person’s moral orientations.

example score92/150

92/150Mixed/variableexample score

30 – 69More prosocial

70 – 109Mixed/variable

110 – 150More undesirable

A score of 92 falls in the Mixed/variable range, suggesting a combination of prosocial and undesirable value attitudes depending on the situation.

HighH

Measures the strength and stability of a person’s orientation toward moral and ethical values in how they relate to themselves and others.

example score113/150

113/150High moral orientationexample score

30 – 69Lower moral orientation

70 – 109Moderate moral orientation

110 – 150High moral orientation

A score of 113 falls in the High moral orientation range, suggesting a relatively strong and stable preference for moral-ethical values in everyday judgments.

Low Importance of Law-Abiding BehaviorLIoLAB

Measures how little importance a person assigns to following laws and formal rules in everyday behavior and decisions.

example score7/10

7/10Situational complianceexample score

2 – 4Values rules

5 – 7Situational compliance

8 – 10Rules seen as unimportant

A score of 7 suggests compliance with rules is often situational, with a noticeable readiness to bypass norms when they feel inconvenient or unjustified.

Importance of Law ComplianceIoLC

Measures how strongly a person values following laws, rules, and socially accepted regulations.

example score4/10

4/10Low law-abiding orientationexample score

2 – 4Low law-abiding orientation

5 – 7Moderate law-abiding orientation

8 – 10High law-abiding orientation

A score of 4 suggests a relatively low emphasis on strict adherence to rules and regulations compared with other value priorities.

Low Importance of WorkLIoW

This scale measures how little importance a person assigns to work and professional activity in their value priorities.

example score5/10

5/10Balanced importanceexample score

2 – 4Work is valued

5 – 7Balanced importance

8 – 10Work is de-emphasized

A score of 5 falls in the Balanced importance range, suggesting work is not a dominant value but is not dismissed either.

Importance of WorkIoW

Measures how strongly a person values work activity and professional development as a life priority.

example score7/10

7/10Moderate importanceexample score

2 – 4Lower importance

5 – 7Moderate importance

8 – 10High importance

A score of 7 suggests work and professional growth are moderately important, with a tendency toward diligence and taking responsibility in tasks.

Low Value of LearningLVoL

Measures the extent to which a person downplays the importance of learning, education, and self-development.

example score5/10

5/10Mixed importanceexample score

2 – 4Learning valued

5 – 7Mixed importance

8 – 10Learning devalued

A score of 5 falls in the Mixed importance range, suggesting education and self-development are seen as neither clearly central nor clearly unimportant.

Value of LearningVoL

Measures how strongly a person values learning, education, and self-development.

example score4/10

4/10Low importanceexample score

2 – 4Low importance

5 – 7Moderate importance

8 – 10High importance

A score of 4 suggests learning and self-development are currently a lower priority compared with other values.

Low Importance of FriendshipLIoF

Measures how little importance a person places on friendship as a life value compared with other priorities.

example score6/10

6/10Balanced stanceexample score

2 – 4Friendship matters

5 – 7Balanced stance

8 – 10Friendship less important

A score of 6 falls in the Balanced stance range, suggesting friendships are not central but still hold moderate value alongside other life priorities.

Importance of FriendshipIoF

This scale measures how strongly a person prioritizes friendship and mutual support in their value system.

example score5/10

5/10Moderate priorityexample score

2 – 4Lower priority

5 – 7Moderate priority

8 – 10High priority

A score of 5 indicates that friendship is a meaningful but not dominant priority, with support from friends valued alongside other life areas.

Egalitarian Attitude Toward OthersEATO

Measures how strongly a person prioritizes fairness and equal consideration of interests in relationships with others.

example score5/10

5/10Balanced stanceexample score

2 – 4Situational fairness

5 – 7Balanced stance

8 – 10Strong equality focus

A score of 5 suggests a generally balanced approach to equality, aiming for fairness while allowing context to influence decisions.

Altruistic Attitude Toward OthersAATO

Measures the tendency to provide selfless help and show concern for other people’s well-being.

example score3/10

3/10Low altruismexample score

2 – 4Low altruism

5 – 7Moderate altruism

8 – 10High altruism

A score of 3 falls in the Low altruism range, suggesting helping others is not a consistent priority and may depend on the situation.

Selfish Attitude Toward OthersSATO

Measures the extent to which a person prioritizes their own interests over others in interpersonal interactions.

example score6/10

6/10Mixed focusexample score

2 – 4Other-oriented

5 – 7Mixed focus

8 – 10Self-centered

A score of 6 suggests a balanced but noticeably self-focused approach at times, which may affect trust and reciprocity in some relationships.

Egocentric Attitude Toward OthersEATO

Measures the degree to which a person prioritizes their own interests over consideration for others in interpersonal situations.

example score4/10

4/10Low egocentrismexample score

2 – 4Low egocentrism

5 – 7Moderate egocentrism

8 – 10High egocentrism

A score of 4 falls in the Low egocentrism range, suggesting a generally balanced focus on personal needs alongside awareness of others.

Individualistic Attitude Toward OthersIATO

Measures the extent to which personal interests are prioritized over group interests in relationships with others.

example score4/10

4/10Group-orientedexample score

2 – 5Group-oriented

6 – 10Individual-oriented

A score of 4 falls in the Group-oriented range, suggesting a tendency to consider collective interests and shared goals over personal autonomy in social situations.

Collectivist Attitudes Toward OthersCATO

Measures the extent to which a person prioritizes group goals and cooperation over personal interests in relationships with others.

example score7/10

7/10Balanced orientationexample score

2 – 4More individual-focused

5 – 7Balanced orientation

8 – 10Strong collectivist

A score of 7 suggests a generally collaborative, group-oriented stance while still leaving room for personal priorities when needed.

Negative Attitude Toward OthersNATO

Measures the tendency to view other people with negativity or unfriendliness, which can affect interpersonal interactions.

example score6/10

6/10Moderate negativityexample score

2 – 4Low negativity

5 – 7Moderate negativity

8 – 10High negativity

A score of 6 falls in the Moderate negativity range, suggesting a noticeable but not pervasive tendency toward unfriendly perceptions of others in some situations.

Lack of Achievement MotivationLoAM

Measures how strongly a person lacks motivation to pursue achievements and changes in life goals.

example score7/10

7/10Mixed driveexample score

2 – 4Achievement-oriented

5 – 7Mixed drive

8 – 10Low drive to achieve

A score of 7 falls in the Mixed drive range, suggesting periods of passivity or comfort with the status quo alongside some situational willingness to act.

Achievement StrivingAS

Measures motivation to pursue goals and achieve success through self-actualization.

example score7/10

7/10Moderate driveexample score

2 – 4Low drive

5 – 7Moderate drive

8 – 10High drive

A score of 7 indicates a moderately strong orientation toward setting goals and working toward achievement, with room to strengthen consistency and ambition if desired.

Lack of Self-Determination in LifeLoSDiL

Measures how much a person relies on others rather than making independent life decisions.

example score6/10

6/10Mixed independenceexample score

2 – 4More self-directed

5 – 7Mixed independence

8 – 10Less self-determined

A score of 6 suggests a moderate level, meaning decision-making may alternate between personal choice and reliance on others’ opinions depending on the situation.

Life Self-DeterminationLSD

Measures how independently a person chooses their life path and sets personal goals.

example score6/10

6/10Moderateexample score

2 – 4Low

5 – 7Moderate

8 – 10High

A score of 6 suggests a moderate level of self-determination, with some independent goal-setting alongside reliance on external guidance in certain areas.

Cautious Approach to LifeCAtL

Measures how strongly a person prefers careful, deliberate choices and avoiding unnecessary risk in life situations.

example score6/10

6/10Balanced cautionexample score

2 – 4More risk-tolerant

5 – 7Balanced caution

8 – 10Highly cautious

A score of 6 indicates a balanced level of caution, with a tendency to think decisions through while still accepting reasonable risks when needed.

Decisive Attitude Toward LifeDATL

Measures decisiveness and confidence in making life decisions, reflecting proactive independence versus hesitation.

example score4/10

4/10More hesitantexample score

2 – 4More hesitant

5 – 7Moderately decisive

8 – 10Highly determined

A score of 4 suggests a generally cautious, less self-directed approach to life decisions, with a tendency to rely on external cues or delay action in uncertain situations.

Pessimistic Attitude Toward LifePATL

Measures the tendency to view the future negatively and anticipate unfavorable outcomes in life situations.

example score6/10

6/10Mixed outlookexample score

2 – 4More optimistic

5 – 7Mixed outlook

8 – 10More pessimistic

A score of 6 indicates a mixed outlook, with some expectation of negative outcomes alongside more balanced or hopeful views in other situations.

Optimistic Attitude Toward LifeOATL

Measures how positively a person views life and expects favorable outcomes in the future.

example score6/10

6/10Moderate optimismexample score

2 – 4Low optimism

5 – 7Moderate optimism

8 – 10High optimism

A score of 6 indicates a generally positive, but balanced, outlook with optimism that may vary by situation.

Hard, Difficult LifeHDL

Measures the extent to which a person perceives life as hard and filled with difficulties and challenges.

example score7/10

7/10Mixed view of life’s difficultyexample score

2 – 4Life feels manageable

5 – 7Mixed view of life’s difficulty

8 – 10Life feels difficult

A score of 7 suggests a moderately elevated tendency to notice and emphasize life’s challenges while still allowing for some sense of manageability.

Positive Attitude Toward OthersPATO

Measures the tendency to relate to others with kindness, empathy, and respect.

example score8/10

8/10Warmexample score

2 – 4Reserved

5 – 7Balanced

8 – 10Warm

A score of 8 falls in the Warm range, suggesting a consistently positive, empathic, and respectful attitude toward other people.

Materially Secure LifeMSL

Measures how important material well-being, comfort, and financial stability are in a person’s value system.

example score6/10

6/10Balancedexample score

2 – 4Low priority

5 – 7Balanced

8 – 10High priority

A score of 6 suggests a balanced focus on financial security, valuing material comfort while also leaving room for non-material priorities.

Low Importance of Material Well-Being in LifeLIoMWBiL

Measures how strongly a person downplays the importance of material wealth and prioritizes non-material values.

example score3/10

3/10Material-focusedexample score

2 – 4Material-focused

5 – 7Balanced

8 – 10Non-material oriented

A score of 3 falls in the Material-focused range, suggesting material well-being is relatively important compared with non-material priorities.

Materialistic Attitude Toward LifeMATL

Measures the extent to which a person’s outlook on life is guided more by pragmatic or material priorities than by spiritual and moral considerations.

example score8/10

8/10Highexample score

2 – 4Low

5 – 7Moderate

8 – 10High

A score of 8 falls in the High range, suggesting a stronger tendency to downplay spiritual or moral guidance in favor of practical or material considerations.

Spiritual Attitude Toward LifeSATL

Measures the extent to which a person is guided by higher spiritual and moral values when orienting themselves in life.

example score5/10

5/10Balanced valuesexample score

2 – 4Pragmatic focus

5 – 7Balanced values

8 – 10Spiritually guided

A score of 5 suggests a balanced orientation where spiritual and moral ideals are present but share priority with practical considerations.

Happy, Good LifeHGL

Measures how positively and harmoniously a person tends to perceive life and expect favorable events.

example score6/10

6/10Balanced outlookexample score

2 – 4Pessimistic outlook

5 – 7Balanced outlook

8 – 10Optimistic outlook

A score of 6 suggests a generally balanced, moderately positive view of life with neither strongly pessimistic nor strongly optimistic expectations.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Teen students in counseling

41%OF USERS

Teenagers take it with a school psychologist to clarify their values, motivations, and what drives their choices in study and social life.

Parents seeking insight

34%OF USERS

Parents use it to better understand a child’s priorities and discuss behavior, responsibility, and relationships without pressure.

Educators and class leaders

25%OF USERS

Teachers and mentors apply it to see what a group values most and tailor guidance, activities, and воспитательная work accordingly.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Shaded area — where most people score

Dot — the average

You — your score lands on each curve after the test— your score, after the test

LowL

You?

Average116.1

Typical rangeTypical93.9 – 138.4

Possible30 – 150

TallT

You?

Average118

Typical rangeTypical101.8 – 134.2

Possible30 – 150

The Insignificance of Observing LawsTIoOL

You?

Average7.7

Typical rangeTypical6.5 – 8.8

Possible2 – 10

The Importance of Abiding by LawsTIoAbL

You?

Average5.3

Typical rangeTypical3.9 – 6.7

Possible2 – 10

The Insignificance of LaborTIoL

You?

Average7.6

Typical rangeTypical6.4 – 8.7

Possible2 – 10

The Importance of WorkTIoW

You?

Average7.6

Typical rangeTypical6.5 – 8.8

Possible2 – 10

The Insignificance of LearningTIoL

You?

Average6.7

Typical rangeTypical5.6 – 7.7

Possible2 – 10

The Importance of LearningTIoL

You?

Average4.4

Typical rangeTypical3.2 – 5.5

Possible2 – 10

The Insignificance of FriendshipTIoF

You?

Average6.2

Typical rangeTypical4.8 – 7.5

Possible2 – 10

The Importance of FriendshipTIoF

You?

Average6.8

Typical rangeTypical5.4 – 8.2

Possible2 – 10

Equal treatment of peopleEtop

You?

Average4.4

Typical rangeTypical3.3 – 5.5

Possible2 – 10

Altruistic Attitude Towards PeopleAATP

You?

Average5.7

Typical rangeTypical4.5 – 6.9

Possible2 – 10

Self-centered attitude toward peopleSatp

You?

Average5.3

Typical rangeTypical4.2 – 6.3

Possible2 – 10

Egocentric Attitude Toward PeopleEATP

You?

Average5.4

Typical rangeTypical4.1 – 6.7

Possible2 – 10

Individualistic attitude towards peopleIatp

You?

Average8

Typical rangeTypical6.7 – 9.2

Possible2 – 10

Collectivist Attitude Towards PeopleCATP

You?

Average7.9

Typical rangeTypical6.4 – 9.4

Possible2 – 10

Bad attitude toward peopleBatp

You?

Average6.1

Typical rangeTypical4.8 – 7.3

Possible2 – 10

No drive to achieve anything in lifeNdtaail

You?

Average5.4

Typical rangeTypical4.4 – 6.5

Possible2 – 10

Striving for Achievements in LifeSfAiL

You?

Average4.9

Typical rangeTypical3.6 – 6.3

Possible2 – 10

Lack of self-determination in lifeLosil

You?

Average7

Typical rangeTypical5.5 – 8.4

Possible2 – 10

Self-Determination in LifeSiL

You?

Average5.7

Typical rangeTypical4.5 – 6.9

Possible2 – 10

A Cautious Approach to LifeACAtL

You?

Average7.5

Typical rangeTypical6.4 – 8.7

Possible2 – 10

A Determined Approach to LifeADAtL

You?

Average5.7

Typical rangeTypical4.3 – 7.1

Possible2 – 10

Pessimistic Attitude Towards LifePATL

You?

Average4.8

Typical rangeTypical3.5 – 6.1

Possible2 – 10

Optimistic Attitude Towards LifeOATL

You?

Average4.9

Typical rangeTypical3.9 – 5.9

Possible2 – 10

A hard, difficult lifeAhdl

You?

Average6.5

Typical rangeTypical5.2 – 7.7

Possible2 – 10

Good Attitude Toward PeopleGATP

You?

Average7.3

Typical rangeTypical5.9 – 8.6

Possible2 – 10

Financially Secure LifeFSL

You?

Average7.2

Typical rangeTypical6 – 8.5

Possible2 – 10

The Insignificance of Material Well-being in LifeTIoMWiL

You?

Average4.6

Typical rangeTypical3.2 – 6

Possible2 – 10

A Spiritual Void in One's Attitude Towards LifeASViOATL

You?

Average5.6

Typical rangeTypical4.5 – 6.7

Possible2 – 10

Spiritual Attitude Toward LifeSATL

You?

Average4.1

Typical rangeTypical2.8 – 5.4

Possible2 – 10

Happy, good lifeHgl

You?

Average6.6

Typical rangeTypical5.2 – 7.9

Possible2 – 10

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

- Agree to a very slight extent
- Partly agree
- Generally agree
- Almost completely agree
- Completely agree
- Agree to a very small extent
- Partly agree
- Agree in general
- Almost completely agree
- Completely agree
- Agree to a very small extent
- Partly agree
- Generally agree
- Almost completely agree
- Completely agree

These are 3 of the 60 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

Proverbs Test - Description and methodology of the test

metaphors

morality

values

Readers deciding whether to take the Proverbs Test can use it to examine how personal principles appear in everyday judgments. By rating familiar sayings, the questionnaire organizes responses into moral and value dimensions, producing a values assessment rather than a single verdict. It suits anyone who wants a structured result for comparing tensions among principles without reducing them to one overall trait.

What This Assessment Explores

The assessment examines moral development through responses to proverb meanings, rather than factual knowledge. It suits people who want to compare priorities across personal and social areas of life. Read as a moral values profile, the result can show leanings toward desirable or less desirable value directions and contrasts among practical and interpersonal concerns.

The main themes are represented by these dimensions:

Moral development and law attitudes show the place of ethical principles and compliance.
Work, learning, and friendship values indicate priorities for effort, education, and social connection.
Attitudes toward others reflect fairness, altruism, empathy, self-interest, independence, and cooperation.
Agency and life direction cover achievement, self-determination, caution, and decisiveness.
Outlook and material-spiritual values describe optimism, comfort, ideals, and perceived difficulty.

Scores are interpreted through catalogue-defined bands, and a higher result is not automatically better.

Methodology and Evidence Base

Each statement presents a proverb with five ordered choices, from very slight agreement to complete agreement. Graded endorsement allows uncertainty or strong identification to appear instead of forcing a yes-or-no response.

The scoring combines answers into paired or contrasting value orientations. Displayed results provide scores and interpretation bands, but points assigned to individual choices are not specified; ranges therefore do not reveal a scoring formula. The profile describes tendencies rather than factual knowledge.

As a proverb interpretation test, this questionnaire is conceptually consistent with Petrova’s 2019 Proverbs Method study. That work supports the use of proverb interpretations for examining value attitudes, but it does not validate the online questionnaire’s scores. This questionnaire is not presented as a standardized reproduction or direct adaptation of that study.

Its bands are interpretation ranges for this questionnaire, not population norms or clinical cutoffs. Self-report results can shift with mood, cultural interpretation, self-awareness, and impression management, so the profile is best used as a structured aid for reflection rather than a fixed description of the person.

Author: Raymond B. Cattell

Literature:

Petrova, S. M. (2006). Methodology "Proverbs." In E. N. Stepanov (Ed.), Pedagogical Control in the Process of Education (pp. 34-38). Moscow: Tvorchesky Tsentr Sfera.
Petrova, S. M. (2019). Using proverbs to study the attitudes to values in schoolchildren. Psychology in Education, 1(3), 306-314. 10.33910/2686-9527-2019-1-3-306-314

Updated: 2025-10-02