In the Pandora myth, Hermes gives Pandora a deceptive mind and persuasive speech.
Hesiod’s Works and Days describes Hermes as providing Pandora with a “shameless mind” and a deceitful nature, depending on the translation. The exact English wording varies because translators must render compact ancient Greek poetry into modern language.
Hermes is a fitting figure for this role. In Greek mythology he is the messenger of the gods and is associated with language, cleverness, boundaries, trade, and trickery. His contribution is not the physical manufacture of the jar or the woman; it is part of the symbolic package that makes Pandora appear attractive while concealing danger.
Modern retellings often assign all of Pandora’s gifts to Zeus or describe the gods’ contributions loosely. In Hesiod’s version, the roles are distributed. Hephaestus fashions her, Athena provides instruction or adornment, Aphrodite supplies charm, and Hermes contributes the deceptive speech and mind.