good human qualities essay

How to Be a Good Person Essay

What does it mean to be a good person? The essay below aims to answer this question. It focuses on the qualities of a good person.

Introduction

What does it mean to be a good person, qualities of good person, works cited.

The term “good” has relative meanings depending on the person who is defining it. Several qualities can be used to define what constitutes a good person. However, there are certain basic qualities that are used to define a good person. They include honesty, trust, generosity, compassion, empathy, humility, and forgiveness (Gelven 24).

These qualities are important because they promote peaceful coexistence among people because they prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. A good person is fair and just to all and does not judge people. He or she is nice to everyone regardless of religion, race, social and economic class, health status, or physical state (Gelven 25).

A good person treats other people with respect, care, and compassion. Respect shows that an individual values and views the other person as a worthy human being who deserves respect. Compassion is a quality that enables people to identify with other people’s suffering (Gelven 27). It motivates people to offer help in order to alleviate the suffering of others. A good person has compassion for others and finds ways to help people who are suffering. Showing compassion for the suffering makes them happy.

It promotes empathy, understanding, and support. In addition, good people are forgiving. They do not hold grudges and let go of anger that might lead them to hurt others. They think positively and focus their thoughts on things that improve their relationships (Needleman 33). They avoid thinking about past mistakes or wrongs done by others. Instead, they think of how they can forgive and move on.

A good person is honest and trustworthy. This implies that they avoid all situations that might hurt the other person, such as telling lies, revealing secrets, and gossiping (Needleman 34). As such, their character or personality cannot be doubted because they do not harbor hidden intentions.

They act in open ways that reveal their true characters and personalities. On the other hand, good people are kind and respectful. They offer help voluntarily and work hard to improve the well-being of other people. In addition, they treat all people equally despite their social, physical, or sexual orientations. Good people do not discriminate, hate, deny people their rights, steal, lie, or engage in corrupt practices (Tuan 53).

Good people behave courageously and view the world as a fair and beautiful place to live in (Needleman 40). They view the world as a beautiful place that offers equal opportunities to everyone. Good people believe that humans have the freedom to either make the world a better or worse place to live in. They act and behave in ways that improve and make the world a better place.

For example, they conserve the environment by keeping it clean for future generations. A popular belief holds that people who conserve the environment are not good but just environmental enthusiasts. However, that notion is incorrect and untrue. People conserve the environment because of their goodness. They think not only about themselves but also about future generations (Tuan 53). They are not self-centered and mean but generous and caring.

Good people are characterized by certain qualities that include trust, honesty, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, respect, courage, and goodwill. They do not steal, lie, discriminate, or deny people their rights. They think about others’ welfare and advocate for actions that make the world a better place. They promote justice and fairness because they view everyone as a deserving and worthy human being.

Gelven, Michael. The Risk of Being: What it Means to be Good and Bad . New York: Penn State Press, 1997. Print.

Needleman, Jacob. Why Can’t We be good? New York: Penguin Group US, 2007. Print.

Tuan, Yi-Fu. Human Goodness . New York: University of Wisconsin Press, 2008. Print.

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Bibliography

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Good Qualities in a Person: 150+ Positive Character Traits

Understanding and appreciating the qualities that make us human can be a journey of self-discovery, a tool for character development, or a compass for personal growth. 

Whether you’re a teacher nurturing these traits in your students, a mental health professional guiding your clients, a writer crafting compelling characters, or simply someone seeking to better understand yourself and others — this resource is for you.

At Good Good Good , we celebrate stories of good people making a positive difference in the world . So, it made sense for us to compile this guide of diverse vocabulary to describe the qualities of a good person.

Remember: No one person can have every good quality — but every person does have some good qualities. We each have an opportunity and an obligation to continue to grow and improve ourselves.

Like Maya Angelou said , “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

We’ve curated the most comprehensive list of positive character traits on the internet. From Adventurous to Zealous, this guide serves as a testament to the multifaceted dimensions of character that make us uniquely human.

Whether you’re utilizing this resource for yourself or others, we hope it brings value to your journey.

You might also like: List of Personality Traits | List of Positive Words To Describe Someone | List of Emotions | List of Mood Words | List of Positive Affirmations

Good Personality Traits To Describe Good People

• Accountable
• Adventurous
• Anti-discriminatory
• Anti-racist
• Anti-sexist
• Appreciative
• Civic-minded
• Collaborative
• Communicative
• Compassionate
• Conscientious
• Considerate
• Constructive
• Cooperative
• Disciplined
• Eco-conscious
• Egalitarian
• Emotionally Intelligent
• Encouraging
• Enthusiastic
• Environmentally Friendly
• Fashionable
• Humanitarian
• Imaginative
• Independent
• Individualistic
• Intelligent
• Interesting
• Leader-like
• Lighthearted
• Negotiating
• Non-discriminatory 
• Non-exploitative
• Non-violent
• Open-minded
• Persevering
• Philanthropic
• Problem-solving
• Progressive
• Resourceful
• Responsible
• Self-confident
• Self-controlled
• Self-disciplined
• Self-reliant
• Socially Conscious
• Sustainable
• Sympathetic
• Team-oriented
• Trustworthy
• Understanding
• Willing to Learn

You might also like: Positive Words from A-Z

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15 Qualities That Are At The Core Of Every ‘Good’ Person

Disclosure: this page may contain affiliate links to select partners. We receive a commission should you choose to make a purchase after clicking on them. Read our affiliate disclosure.

What makes a person “good” in the grand scheme of things?

There are some traits considered to be good by just about everyone. There are also cultural variables as to what symbolizes and expresses goodness in a person. 

Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to determine what they feel are the qualities of a “good person.”

When we’re asked to explain why some of our heroes are (or were) sincerely good people, many of these traits will make the list.

1. Prudence

A good person is a prudent person. Prudence is the ability to determine whether or not a particular action is a good (or appropriate) idea at that specific point in time. It’s considered to be one of the four cardinal virtues, derived originally from Plato’s Republic .

Prudence also refers to a situation in which you have the strength to do something, but choose not to. Or, when you could do something that’s self-indulgent in the moment, but choose to err on the side of better judgment for later.

An example of this would be refraining from spending money on games and junk food because you need to save enough to cover your portion of the rent and bills. You may spend a bit on a small indulgence, but choose responsibility over temporary amusement or gratification.

2. Temperance

Although most people interpret temperance as being abstinence from something, what it actually means is moderation. 

Having temperance means finding the middle path, and balancing the self in the face of any situation. It encompasses self-discipline and self-awareness. After all, you have to know your own abilities as well as your own limits in order to find the moderate zone between them. 

For example, embodying a sense of diplomacy as a moderator means finding that magical middle ground between expressing what you need to say, with the needs and views of others around you.

In other people, temperance might mean accepting a small drink when toasting with others, but refraining from drinking to inebriation. Or thoroughly enjoying a slice of cake without overindulging.

When you are balanced and measured in your approaches to everything, you can experience and understand all without being overwhelmed by it.

Good people often show courage. Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but rather the ability to take action even though you feel afraid. It is knowing that there is a difficult, potentially dangerous task ahead of you, but doing it because you know it needs to be done.

This one goes along with several of the other qualities listed here. For example, it often takes courage to act with integrity.

Courage can take many forms, from trying a new, challenging exercise to standing up to an intimidating person, or facing something that scares you.

The first level of courage is doing something even though it terrifies you.

The last level is being a calm, inspirational force to others, while feeling the same fear that they’re experiencing. 

For example, a high-ranking officer in a WWI trench was a bastion of calm and confidence, while the troops around him were quaking with fear. A young Private asked him how he was so calm, and the officer replied that he had to be in order to keep morale up. Additionally, he knew that the soldiers on the other side were also afraid, and that was oddly reassuring to him.

4. Compassion

Being compassionate isn’t just about understanding someone else’s pain. It’s also the desire to help alleviate it. One can look at a person and see that they’re suffering (sympathy) and then walk on by. But when we want to do what we can to help, then that’s compassion in action.

Ultimately, the basic element of compassion is kindness. We want to give of our own abilities to help another being who may be suffering. We can have compassion for people, animals, trees, rivers… anything that seems to be in distress that we can help to lessen.

The greatest mastery of compassion is when the one you’re trying to help is hurting you, and yet you’re still offering them assistance in a loving, gentle way. An adult may rail against you, or the hurt animal may bite you, but you still try to help.

Compassion means that you understand another’s pain without compounding it, offering what the other needs, and giving of yourself, regardless of the outcome.

5. Generosity

Generosity is a quality often associated with a good person. When we have a surplus of something, it’s important to share with others who have less. Even if we don’t have a surplus, it’s important to share with others. 

We always have something that we can share or give to those around us. This doesn’t have to be monetary wealth or physical objects, either. People who don’t have a lot of money can still be immensely generous with their time, for example. They can volunteer with the elderly or doing charity work. Or they can teach their skills to others who would like to learn from them. 

Being generous means that you’re giving with the heart, without any schemes to receive anything in return, or control those you are being generous with. These are gifts freely given, not because you think you’ll benefit in turn.

Quite often, those who have the least are the most generous toward others, because they know what it’s like to have nothing. They have the biggest hearts, and tend to be the most willing to help others in need.

6. Patience

This is one of the qualities that many admire, but it is also one of the most difficult to put into practice. It’s possible that this is because few of use are actually patient by nature. 

We tend to want things on our terms, on our own time. As a result, we get frustrated and annoyed when things don’t play out the way we think they should.

This is why it’s important to remember that the world doesn’t revolve around our wants and our schedule. There are billions of other players on this chess board, all engaged in an intricate dance. As such, we need to acknowledge and respect that we are all cogs in the machine, and our time to turn will come when it’s meant to.

Furthermore, it’s important to be aware that a lack of patience can cause a great deal of harm. People can only do their best, and when we’re impatient with those who aren’t as capable as we are, we can make them feel truly horrible about themselves. Or worse, they may end up traumatized and damaged. 

This is why it’s important to be patient with the grandmother or the child when crossing the road in a hurry, because they can’t keep up with you. If you’re not, and you walk away quickly instead of helping, they may end up getting hurt. 

Patience means that you can remain calm and measured in your responses, even when irritated. To not throw a tantrum when forced to wait. And to not complain unduly when things are taking longer than expected.

7. Respect 

Respect is undoubtedly a characteristic of a good person. When we talk about respect, we’re encompassing various aspects thereof. This includes respect for other people, self-respect, respect for life, for nature, etc.

Tolerance, esteem, appreciation, and recognition are just a few aspects of respect that can come into play.

For example, we can respect nature by not throwing garbage around or polluting water supplies. We can respect housemates by acknowledging the fact that they live their lives differently than we do, so we don’t project our behavioral expectations onto them.

We can respect our bodies by eating well and getting plenty of exercise, and show self-respect by not engaging in activities that would make us feel shame later. 

We acknowledge boundaries – our own and other people’s – and don’t overstep them for the sake of self-indulgence. We acknowledge that every individual is perfect, sovereign, and sacred. As such, we don’t put others down or mistreat them. Instead, we pay attention when they speak, honor their words, heed their personal choices.

It doesn’t take much effort to help others feel seen and heard, but it makes a world of difference to them when we do so.

8. Tolerance

Tolerance means accepting that others may think, behave, or live differently than we are, without trying to change their ways to suit our own preferences.

In simplest terms: live and let live.

Seek to understand your contemporaries in other cultures, races, religions, and creeds, rather than attacking them for their differences from you.

This is the difference between people who talk about how tolerant they are, but want to lead the next witch hunt.

In the 1600s it was witches. In the 1800s it was Amerindians. In the 1930s it was Jews. It is what it is today, and in 200 years, there will be another target group for people’s ire. 

Don’t jump on that bandwagon. We’re all better than that.

9. Integrity

A good person will act with integrity. Integrity means doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching. It’s holding to your individual moral and ethical convictions despite other people’s opinions and influences. Especially when it’s difficult to do so.

For example, let’s say that you’re working on a construction site and you find a precious artifact. You’re only making minimum wage at this gig, and this is a centuries-old gold ring buried in the mud. Nobody saw it except you. If you sold it, you’d likely make a ton of money. But you also recognize that it has historical significance.

Your sense of integrity would have you report the ring to the local coroner or Finds liaison officer so they can investigate it. Sure, you might get a reward for it – likely less than you’d have made for pawning it – but you know it’s the right thing to do. You didn’t have to, but you did it anyway.

10. Commitment

This one goes along with integrity, but expands upon it differently. 

Commitment means that you’ve held to your word, even if it was difficult to do so. This might mean sticking with a job or project that you absolutely hate because you promised someone that you would do so. Or it could be remaining faithful to a partner, despite your own non-monogamous leanings, because you gave your word that you’d be loyal.

You’ll see something through, simply because you made a promise.

A person who keeps their commitments is someone who can be trusted and relied upon. When you’re known as someone who keeps their word, you’re incredibly valued and respected in your community, as well as among your friends and loved ones.

11. Honesty

Honesty is often expressed as a quality of a good person. After all, if you discovered that someone lied to you, could you ever trust them again? If they lied to you that time, what would stop them from lying to you about everything and anything else?

People respect and appreciate honesty, especially when it’s difficult. For example, if and when we mess up horribly at work, but own that screw-up, admit to it, and take action to remedy it. Our employers and peers will respect us a lot more than if we try to cover it up or cast blame on others.

Furthermore, many people even appreciate honesty when it’s a bit hurtful. When someone is honest about a difficult topic or situation, it means that they care enough not to betray the other’s trust by lying about it. 

Of course, a lot depends on how a truth is shared. We can be gentle in our tone and the words we choose, rather than being cruel or scathing. How a truth is delivered can make the difference between long-term positive change, and trauma.

12. Humility

You know the type of person who’s always bragging about how awesome they are? Humility is the opposite of that.

Humility is holding to the idea that no person is greater or lesser than any others, despite popularity, wealth, titles, or achievements.

Those who feel that they are better or more important than other people tend to treat others badly. Since they consider themselves to be special, they often expect better treatment, and to be allowed to belittle those around them.

In contrast, someone who remains humble treats everyone around them with care and respect. They don’t tell others about all the wonderful charitable things they’ve done: they just do them. Their actions are for the greater good, not for the acknowledgement and praise they’ll receive from doing so.

13. Strength

The strength that makes a good person is mental and emotional rather than physical. Strength can be shown in a gentle way, albeit one that is unyielding. Look at Mahatma Gandhi and his hunger strike. It took immense strength to quash his own hunger, though agonizing, in order to work toward positive change. 

Hannibal and Marcus Aurelius showed immense strength of character in keeping everyone together while undertaking a massive journey. 

Anne Frank and Mother Teresa both showed tremendous strength in atrocious circumstances. Furthermore, their ability to love and care for others remained intact despite the horrors they witnessed and experienced.

You’ve likely noticed that strength and compassion, and strength and courage are linked. This is because strength is not always a projective virtue, but rather it’s an adaptive term. 

Strength is often a battery for many of the other qualities on this list. For example, you may show immense strength when you hold to integrity when everyone around you is doing something that goes against everything you believe in. Standing up for what you believe is right might be dangerous to you – perhaps even life threatening. As such, it takes immense strength of character and will to be true to yourself. 

There are many different types of love, despite the fact that only one word is used to encompass them in the Western world. We’re mostly familiar with romantic love, or the love felt between parents and children. But we can love humanity or nature with all our hearts as well. And we know that we love when we pour our energy toward other beings’ happiness, health, success, and freedom.

Some people mistake infatuation for love. Or possessiveness. Someone might love another person because they feel that the other person will give them what they need. Similarly, they might love a pet, or a house, or any other being or creature that brings them fulfillment. 

In contrast, when we truly love a person, our greatest wish is for their happiness. 

Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski covers this when he talks about “fish love.” What most people consider to be “love” is when their needs are fulfilled. Such as a man who eats a fish because he loves fish. This man loves the fish he’s eating so much that he took it out of the water, boiled it, and is eating it. He loves himself, and sees the fish as something that will fulfill his needs and wants.

If he truly loved the fish, he would encourage it to swim happily and lead a beautiful life. 

Real love isn’t a question of what we’re going to get from a situation or a person, but what we can give .

15. Self-awareness

You know in your gut when you’ve done wrong, or when you have done good.

If you ever do something and feel a twinge of shame or disgust with your actions, then you’re fully aware that you didn’t act in love or respect. Perhaps you did something sneaky for the sake of your own self-interests. Or the selfish altruism you displayed was far more for your own benefit than the other person’s.

In contrast, when you’ve done something that’s ethical and loving, you’ll feel an immense lightness of being. A warm glow will suffuse through you, and you might even get a bit choked up. You know that your actions will have long-reaching positive repercussions; like a glowing pebble thrown into a pond. Every ripple will carry light along with it.

Listen to this feeling when it speaks to you. Recognize it as your own inner compass, and allow it to lead you to the sincere goodness you’re capable of.

You may also like:

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• 50 Personal Development Goals To Set Yourself
• What Is A Personal Philosophy And How Do You Develop One?
• What Should We Aspire To Most In Life?
• How To Show Respect For Others (+ Why It’s Important In Life)
• How To Be Truly Humble, And Why It’s Worth It
• How To Be Patient In An Increasingly Impatient World

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About The Author

Finn Robinson has spent the past few decades travelling the globe and honing his skills in bodywork, holistic health, and environmental stewardship. In his role as a personal trainer and fitness coach, he’s acted as an informal counselor to clients and friends alike, drawing upon his own life experience as well as his studies in both Eastern and Western philosophies. For him, every day is an opportunity to be of service to others in the hope of sowing seeds for a better world.

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Are You a Good Person?

What makes someone a good person? Do you strive to be one?

By Jeremy Engle

Find all our Student Opinion questions here.

Has anyone ever said that you were a good person? Is being good something you strive to be or aspire toward?

In “ How to Be Good ,” Simran Sethi sought out a therapist, a scholar, a monk, a C.E.O. and others to learn about bringing our best to everything we do, every day. She begins by exploring the meaning of goodness:

Rachana Kamtekar, a professor of philosophy at Cornell University, explained goodness by way of ancient Greek philosophy: “For Plato, goodness is the same as happiness. We desire appetitively because of our bodies. We desire emotionally because of our sense of self in contact with other human beings. And we also have rational desires to understand how to do what’s best. Our goodness requires all of these capacities to be developed and then expressed.” This can be a lifelong process — something that is never perfectly realized but should always be struggled for. “Goodness is impermanent and organic, meaning it can progress as well as regress,” said Chan Phap Dung, a senior monk at the Plum Village meditation center founded by the Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. And that is why, he said, we have to be steadfast in caring for ourselves and the world at large. “In politics and culture, in the media and corporations, we have cultivated conditions that have produced a lot of violence, discrimination and despair for which there is a collective level of responsibility.” Because many of us have a complicated relationship with what it means to be good, it can help to reframe the subject and widen it. “Some people flinch when they ponder whether or not they or others are ‘good’ because the words ‘good’ and ‘goodness’ have long been associated with obedience,” the author and former “Dear Sugars” podcast host Cheryl Strayed shared in response to a query from The Times. “I reject that definition,” she said. “Goodness is expressed through lovingkindness, generosity of spirit and deed, and the thoughtful consideration of others. It can be as simple as offering to let someone ahead of you in line and as complicated as making yearslong sacrifices of your freedom because someone you love needs your help. Over the course of a lifetime, most of us do both.”

Ms. Sethi shared the insights of a variety of people who think a lot about what it means to be good. Here are four of their suggestions:

Be kind. Harriet Lerner, psychologist and author “Kindness is at the center of what it means to be good. It may require very little from us, or the opposite. It may require words and action, or restraint and silence. Everything that can be said can be said with kindness. Every tough position we have to take can be taken with kindness. No exceptions. Being a good person requires that we work toward that unrealized world where the dignity and integrity of all human beings, all life, are honored and respected.” Pay attention. Brother Chan Phap Dung, senior monk, Plum Village “In the Buddhist tradition, the training starts with learning how to stop and come back to the present moment and enjoy our breathing. We stop to recognize what is happening within us and around us: our feelings, our thinking, whether our body is relaxed or in tension, who is there in front of us or what are we doing. With repetition, we begin to see and understand ourselves better — and choose to do one thing rather than another.” Ask hard questions. The Rev. William J. Barber II, civil rights activist “As a public theologian, I tend to look at what has lifted us when we found ourselves at our lowest — what has called us to a better place. How are we, as a nation and as a people, using life itself to create good for the poor and broken and captive and for those who are made to feel unaccepted? We must constantly raise that question as we live life — seeking to answer it not only individually, but together. We need to embrace those deepest moral values that call us to, first and foremost, seek love, truth, justice and concern for others.” Hold yourself accountable. Rachana Kamtekar, professor of philosophy, Cornell University “You have to know what your different motivations are, know how strong they are and if you can get some of them to pull against the others . I was a smoker in my 20s and 30s. Like many smokers, I resolved to quit on multiple occasions. When I was 40, I told my son and his buddies that I had been a smoker and had quit. I knew if I ever smoked again, I was going to have to tell them. My aversion to those kids thinking of me as a smoker swamped any desire I had to smoke. When I added to my rational resolution this prospect of something like shame — that I was going to have to face these kids and say, “I am a smoker” — it changed.”

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

Do you feel you are a good person? Why or why not? Are there ways you wish you were better?

Cheryl Strayed said that goodness “can be as simple as offering to let someone ahead of you in line and as complicated as making yearslong sacrifices of your freedom because someone you love needs your help.” Do you agree? What is your definition of goodness?

Which insights and suggestions from the article resonated with you most? Explain why.

Where do your ideas about goodness, and morals more generally, come from? Have they been shaped by friends and family, culture or religious beliefs?

Has anyone ever said that you were a good person? If yes, what do you think they meant? How did that make you feel?

Nick Hornby said, “I think all one can ever really do is to try and keep goodness close to you as an ambition — make sure that it’s one of the ways in which you think.” Is goodness an important goal for you? Do you strive to be good?

What suggestions would you give to others who seek to be good?

Students 13 and older are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Jeremy Engle joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2018 after spending more than 20 years as a classroom humanities and documentary-making teacher, professional developer and curriculum designer working with students and teachers across the country. More about Jeremy Engle

The Guide to Being a Good Human Being

Ten steps to being likable and loved..

Posted March 24, 2023 | Reviewed by Tyler Woods

• What Does "Self Help" Mean?
• Find counselling near me
• In a world where you can be anything, be kind to yourself and to others.
• Be the person that makes someone feel heard.
• Never underestimate the power of a genuine smile.

Being a human is an incredible thing—but it's not always easy. What you should or shouldn't do isn't always clear, and it can leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed. You weren't exactly given a guidebook for life at school, even though you might have learned to count. It turns out you need a lot more than that to be a good human being.

The reality is that we are a real mishmash of people and cultures across this beautiful planet. In fact, it's exactly that which makes our planet so wonderfully diverse. Yet, there is one thing that we all have in common: We like to feel good. Hence, I've compiled a list of things that most (if not all) humans appreciate.

Below you will find your guide to being a good human being and behaving in ways that make others feel good, too.

1. Be kind.

In a world where you can be anything, be kind. To yourself and to others. Both offline and online. You never know how much that other person might need your kindness. Often, it's more than you think.

In our noisy world, it's sometimes hard to feel heard. Be the person that makes someone feel heard. Really listen to everything they have to say. Ask them how they are and listen to their answer fully. Let them speak as long as they want to.

3. Be non-judgmental.

With yourself and with others. Everyone is doing the best they can with the knowledge they have, including you. Adopt an attitude of tolerance and accept that we are all different. That's what makes each one of us so unique and life so interesting.

4. Support people's decisions.

Even when you might not agree with them. Trust that they are doing what they feel is right for them, and respect that. Everyone has the right to live a life true to them. Everyone has the right to make their own choices.

5. Be someone's biggest cheerleader.

You can never have too many supporters. Encourage your people to go after their dreams and support them in their journey in any way you can. Let them know that they are not alone. Let them know that you are there for them.

6. Be polite.

This seems like an obvious one, but it's amazing how rude you can come across when sending an email or message in a moment of frustration. If you're in a negative place, don't send anything. Write a draft if you need to, but do not send it until you've had a chance to look at it when you're feeling good and calm.

The same applies to spoken word. Take a breath before you lash out. Take a moment to re-center so that you can approach the challenge from a better place.

7. Live a life that's true to you.

There are too many people living lives that someone else told them to live. Don't be one of them. Live a life that is true to you. Live the life that you're yearning to live. When you do, you'll inspire others to do the same.

You've only got one shot at life—and, let's face it, none of us know how long it will be. So make the most out of it. Starting today.

8. Take care of yourself.

If you don't take care of yourself, no one else will. You are responsible for your emotional, physical, and mental well-being. Take charge of it and take good care of it. That's the only way you will show up as your best possible self. And the world deserves to see you at your best.

9. Take care of others.

Sometimes people aren't prepared to ask for help—so offer it regularly. The people who need it the most are often the ones who are trying to put a strong front out to the world. Don't be fooled by this, and offer your help to those you think might be in need of it.

10. Smile if you feel it.

Never underestimate the power of a genuine smile. It will warm the recipient's heart and make them want to smile too. As a bonus, you'll feel better too. Everyone who smiles does.

Susanna Newsonen , MAPP, is a philosopher and writer. Her mission is to spread hope and love, one reader at a time.

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How To Be A Good Person And Why It Matters

What makes a person a “good” person? Should we strive to be good—and if so, why? If you asked twenty people what it means to be a good person, chances are you would get twenty different answers. What individuals perceive to be good character traits can vary depending on several factors. Religion, culture, and family dynamics, for example, can all play a part in forming one's viewpoint on a topic like this.

Note that human beings are complex and that sorting all people into the strict binary of “good” or “bad” is generally not possible or particularly helpful. Attempting to do so can even result in distorted thinking , which can sometimes lead to mental health concerns like low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression. Here, we’ll use being a “good” person as a general term that refers to behaving in ways that are broadly considered to be considerate and kind, but it can be helpful to keep in mind the deep nuances of a topic like morality.

What is goodness?

The word "good" is  defined by Merriam-Webster  as "virtuous, right and commendable; kind and benevolent."  Henry David Thoreau  was quoted as saying, "Goodness is the only investment that never fails."

A “good” person often has certain habits or characteristics that reflect their efforts to be a considerate individual who avoids harming others. While, again, these can vary from person to person and culture to culture, a few general examples of these traits can include the following.

The empathy definition in psychology is the ability to emotionally understand another person's feelings by imagining yourself in their position. An empathetic person tends to be able to express an understanding of how others feel and treat them accordingly.

An individual who wants to be a good person might also strive to be honest with themselves and others. Dishonesty can damage trust between two people and potentially lead to distance or conflict within a relationship.

Someone who practices the principle of fairness might aim to be aware of their biases and avoid letting those negatively affect others. This could manifest as a belief in justice or equality, for example. 

Responsibility

Responsibility or accountability for one’s actions is also considered by many to be a sign of a good person. It usually involves an effort to make decisions that aren’t harmful to others and to take ownership of them if they are.

Why being a good person matters

One’s motivation for being “good” can vary widely. Research suggests that altruism—or the act of showing selfless concern for the well-being of others—is a uniquely human trait, of which there are many examples. Biologically, evolutionarily, or on some other level, many may feel generally driven to be kind and not harmful—a trait that many people equate with being a good person. 

However, there are many other complex factors that go into how humans decide to behave, and our actions can have effects on many areas of our lives. If you’re in the process of deciding what values you want to live by, you might consider some of these potential outcomes of who you may choose to be. 

Effects on your career and opportunities

Your actions and behaviors help build your reputation which, among many other factors, can help to create the opportunities you encounter in life. Behaving in ways that are generally respectful of others may help others develop a positive opinion of you. This could lead to benefits in your career and other opportunities that may help you achieve what you’re looking for in life.

Effects on relationships

The way we behave can also impact how others see us and relate to us, which can affect our relationships overall. For instance, many people are looking for friends and romantic partners who are “good” people in that they’re honest, caring, respectful, etc. People who are looking for healthy, supportive relationships often tend to seek out others who make them feel safe rather than uneasy or disrespected.

Feeling a sense of purpose

Deciding on a set of values that you want to live by and then sticking to them as best you can may help give you a direction and a purpose in life. This may even correlate with less loneliness and better overall health.

Seeking support related to being a good person

The idea of being a “good” person can affect a person’s mental health in a variety of ways. For instance, a person might have trouble coping with mistakes they’ve made in the past and how they may have affected those around them. Or, they could hold themselves to an impossible standard of perfection, which could lead to feelings of depression or anxiety. If you’re looking for support in discovering your values or changing the way you relate to morality, a therapist may be able to help.

If you’re interested in therapy but prefer to receive this type of care from the comfort of home, you might try online therapy. In one study published in World Psychiatry, researchers examined the effectiveness of online therapy in treating a wide range of mental health disorders. Their research indicates that online therapy can be as effective as face-to-face counseling in many cases, which reflects the similar findings of other studies as well. With a platform like BetterHelp , you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging. See below for client reviews of BetterHelp counselors.

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"Michal has been very supportive. Her techniques are very handy and have really helped me switch my negative thoughts to positive ones. Looking forward to learning more from her to become a better version of myself. Thank you Michal."

"Krysten has been an immense help in dealing with and confronting my anger and depression issues. I started to notice immediate changes in my general disposition within a week of working with her. My friends and family have even said I seem less bitter and jaded. And the fact that I can communicate with her frequently has done wonders in keeping me on track and progressing forward. My time working with Krysten and being on BetterHelp has been a positive experience and done much more for me than traditional in-office therapy ever did."

How can you become a good person?

There isn’t a consistent definition of what makes a good person. Even rules that seem constant and rigid, like “Good people don’t hurt others,” can become flexible under the right conditions. For instance, most humans condemn murder and believe it is morally wrong, yet there are often exceptions that allow for taking a life in the case of self-defense or during war. 

Deciding what makes you a good person requires understanding your moral identity . What do you believe to be morally right? When can the rules be bent or broken? Do small actions, like holding the door open for someone, make you a good person, or does it take a more substantial effort, like volunteering for charity work?

Becoming a good person means understanding your moral code and improving yourself until your actions consistently reflect your values. While that journey is different for everybody, there are some common tips that may help you: 

• Don’t make excuses. Becoming a good person is a personal responsibility, and no one can achieve your goal besides you. Be wary of pointing the finger at others; becoming a good person often means examining your mistakes and making peace with your shortcomings. 
• Use honest and direct communication. Lies and deception are rarely seen as traits kind people possess. Learn to articulate your thoughts and feelings openly and honestly. 
• Help others. Take time to assist others when you can; helping others through tough times will likely improve your reputation and self-perception. Good deeds and kindness are commonly considered a foundational part of being a good person. 
• Become a good listener. Knowing how to listen actively can make it easier for you to understand and empathize with others. Empathy is commonly associated with goodness, and demonstrating empathy is likely an important skill to have. 
• Always be respectful . Your words and actions should always demonstrate respect for the people around you and the environment that you’re in. Take time to learn how to control your negative emotions. You don’t have to agree with everything or appease everyone, but even when disagreeing, you should maintain a respectful tone and demeanor. 

What is the point of being a good person?

Philosophers have debated the reasons for being a good person for centuries. Today, there are several philosophical and sociological arguments that justify good behavior. One of the longest-running unsettled arguments is the egoism/altruism debate . The egoism/altruism debate examines what motivates humans to be good to each other.  

The altruism side of the argument asserts that humans have an intrinsic drive to help others. The existence of an empathetic connection between humans supports the altruism argument. For example, if a person comes across someone who is injured, they are likely to try to assist them, probably because they empathize with their position. In the altruism argument, empathy motivates good and helpful behavior, allowing for self-sacrifice with no prospect of receiving a reward . 

In contrast, the egoism argument suggests that people tend to be motivated to help others for self-serving reasons. It may elevate their status in society, make it more likely they can receive help from others, or put others in their debt. Furthermore, some proponents of the egoist perspective assert that even when someone helps another with no intention of a reward, the warm feeling of satisfaction that commonly comes after helping someone else may serve as its own reward. From an egoist perspective, helping behavior is inherently self-serving, no matter whether an external reward is expected. 

How do you feel like a good person?

Feeling like a good person is often related to self-improvement and self-acceptance. You will likely feel good when your behaviors align with your core values. No matter what your exact definition of a “good person” may be, if your actions match your beliefs, you will likely feel like a good person. 

You may want to consider building your self-esteem and recognizing your strengths. You likely have much to offer the world around you, and recognizing your inherent goodness can help you feel better about yourself. Self-examination may also be helpful. Taking time to analyze your understanding of what is morally right may offer insight into how you can be a good person on your terms. 

How can I be a better person and happy?

Self-improvement is likely one of the most critical steps toward becoming happier. People with good personalities who understand their place in the world and surround themselves with a support network tend to be much happier than those who do not reach those goals. Achieving those goals requires committing to self-improvement and growth. It requires a willingness to examine your moral identity and develop an understanding of how you conceptualize the difference between good and bad.

Many people begin by identifying their strengths and improving their self-esteem . You likely have strengths to offer, and utilizing your natural strengths can make becoming a better person much easier. Early in your self-improvement process, you should decide on reasonable goals that will continually make you a better person. Goal-setting can be challenging ; it is important that you stay within your limits and grow into a better person at a reasonable pace. 

How can I improve myself every day?

Committing to daily positive change is likely a worthwhile goal. Improving yourself daily lets you take small steps towards a larger personal goal. Many people find setting both long-term and short-term goals to be helpful. Long-term goals should represent relatively large aspirations related to your self-improvement, and short-term goals should represent steps you can take to achieve your larger goals. 

Ensuring that your long-term and short-term goals are reasonably achievable is important. Your goals shouldn’t take so little effort that you don’t have to work to attain them, but they shouldn’t be so hard that you risk burnout trying to accomplish them. Appropriately balancing your goals is likely to help you stay on track and motivated as you incorporate daily self-improvement into your life.  

How can I change myself to be better?

Bettering yourself requires time, effort, and dedication. When you set goals and work toward them, you are physically changing the pathways in your brain , which requires consistent effort and repetition. If you are trying to rid yourself of bad habits or develop better ones, you may need to commit days, weeks, or months to the process. That is why choosing achievable goals is so important; if you go too long without reaching a goal, you may experience depleted willpower and burnout. 

When deciding your goals and how you want to achieve them, it may be helpful to study your successes. You likely have many strengths you can leverage on your self-improvement journey, some of which you may not realize you have. Consider paying close attention to the positive feedback you receive from others. 

Reflect on what strengths are apparent and how you can use those good qualities to achieve your goals. If feedback from others in your life is sparse, consider asking those around you for feedback directly. Don’t expect everything to be positive; you should be prepared for some (hopefully constructive) criticism. You can reflect on the criticism, too, especially if it conflicts with your goals, but be sure to come back around to the positive. 

How do I get better at something?

No matter what skill you are trying to develop, getting better at something requires willpower and persistence. Self-improvement requires actions that physically change your brain as your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors change. Sticking to your goals is arguably the most challenging part of getting better at something, especially at the beginning of the process. 

Here are some basic steps to help you remain committed to your self-improvement journey: 

• Develop a growth mindset. A person with a growth mindset sees failure as a necessary part of success. You may want to work on accepting the trials and tribulations of personal growth. Doing so may make it easier to avoid burnout and stay committed to your goals. 
• Develop refined goals. Goals that are too broad (e.g., “I want to get better”) are difficult to achieve. It is important that your goals be attainable . Each time you achieve one of your goals, the reward center in your brain reinforces the behavior that got you there. Refined goals are balanced; they aren’t so easy that you don’t have to work to achieve them and aren’t so hard that you burn out trying to attain them. 
• Keep your focus. It is easy to get distracted from whatever improvement goals you have. Vices and bad habits are potential distractions, but so are the demands of daily life. Other people’s poor behavior can distract you as well. Consider learning to forgive people quickly, for your sake, instead of theirs.  Make sure you are reminding yourself of your goals and tracking your progress daily. 
• Maintain accountability. Monitoring your progress towards your goals lets you analyze how your journey is coming along. If there are areas where you are struggling to progress, take time to figure out where the challenges are and how you can overcome them. Take responsibility for your own progress; only you can make yourself a better person. 

How do you keep growing in life?

Consistent personal growth requires dedication and commitment. As you become a better person, you will need to identify new growth areas and goals to move forward. It is likely prudent to engage in self-evaluation regularly. Take time to learn yourself, understand your moral identity , and determine which goals you should set next in your improvement journey. 

It may also be helpful to  seek feedback from others. Friends, family, and coworkers can all be valuable sources of insight into your strengths and weaknesses. When seeking feedback from others, ask that they be open and honest with you. This means that you will need to prepare yourself to receive negative as well as positive feedback. Although criticism can be unpleasant - even if it’s constructive - listening to negative feedback can help illustrate areas for personal development, while positive improvement-oriented feedback is likely to improve your performance overall.

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What Makes a Good Essay?

By stephanie whetstone.

The deadline for this year’s Princeton Writes Prize Staff Essay Contest has been set (March 1, 2020)! We hope you are already hard at work polishing your prose, but in case you are struggling to get started, let’s consider what makes a “good” essay.

Dictionary.com defines the essay as “a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.” This leaves a lot of room for creativity. For a personal essay, focus on the personal part. Why are you writing about this subject? Why now? How does your experience connect with your audience’s? A personal essay is not self-indulgent; rather, it is a means of connecting with others through the common experience of being human.

The winners of the Princeton Writes Prize have written about New South, travels in Japan, a timeworn stone step, and a dining room table. None of these subjects is inherently gripping, but they became so when connected to the writer’s thoughtful, heartfelt experience.

Write as specifically as you can about what is important to you, what excites you, what connects you to the world, or what you can’t seem to get off your mind. So how do you start? Think about your purpose: is it to entertain, to explain, to argue, to compare, or to reveal? It can also be a combination of these things.

At Princeton, we are lucky to have one of the great essay writers of our time, John McPhee, on faculty. In his wonderful essay, “Searching for Marvin Gardens,” McPhee has a few stories going at once: the “real time” experience of playing monopoly with a friend, his walk through the streets of Atlantic City, the history of the creation of the game of Monopoly, and a commentary about the economic and social realities of the time in which the essay was written. It begins:

“Go. I roll the dice—a six and a two. Through the air I move my token, the flatiron, to Vermont Avenue, where dog packs range.

“The dogs are moving (some are limping) through ruins, rubble, fire dam­age, open garbage. Doorways are gone. Lath is visible in the crumbling walls of the buildings. The street sparkles with shattered glass. I have never seen, anywhere, so many broken windows. A sign—”Slow, Children at Play”—has been bent backward by an automobile. At the farmhouse, the dogs turn up Pacific and disappear.”

The primary action puts the reader immediately into the world the writer has created and follows “characters” through a plot. The connecting paragraphs provide context and place the experience in the broader world. You may want to tell your story straight through or, like McPhee, stray from a linear structure—not just beginning, middle, end—moving back and forth in time.

Begin your story at the last possible moment you can without losing important information. If you are writing about the birth of a child, for example, you might want to start in the hospital in the midst of labor, rather than months before.

To shift in time, make sure you have an object or experience to “trigger” the shift, such as McPhee’s dogs. You need not be as accomplished as he to write your own essay, but reading his work and the work of other writers can provide guidance and inspiration.

Remember that an essay is a story, so even though it is nonfiction, it will benefit from the elements of a story: characters, plot, setting, dialogue, point of view, and tone. Is your story funny, sad, contemplative, nostalgic, magical, or a combination of these?

Your job as a writer is to help the reader imagine what you see in your mind’s eye. That requires sensory detail. Be sure to write about sounds, sights, smells, textures, and tastes. Remember, too, that your work will be read by a wide audience, so you need to determine how much of yourself and your intimate experience you are comfortable sharing.

Another great Princeton writer, Joyce Carol Oates, writes with exquisite sensory detail in her essay, “They All Just Went Away.”

“To push open a door into such silence: the absolute emptiness of a house whose occupants have departed. Often, the crack of broken glass underfoot. A startled buzzing of flies, hornets. The slithering, ticklish sensation of a garter snake crawling across floorboards.

“Left behind, as if in haste, were remnants of a lost household. A broken toy on the floor, a baby’s bottle. A rain-soaked sofa, looking as if it had been gutted with a hunter’s skilled knife. Strips of wallpaper like shredded skin. Smashed crockery, piles of tin cans; soda, beer, whiskey bottles. An icebox, its door yawning open. Once, on a counter, a dirt-stiffened rag that, unfolded like precious cloth, revealed itself to be a woman’s cheaply glamorous “see-through” blouse, threaded with glitter-strips of gold.”

No matter what you choose to write about, forgive your first draft if it’s terrible. You will improve it in the editing. And finally, read each draft aloud: tell the story first to yourself.

Happy writing!

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Essay on Qualities of a Successful Person

Students are often asked to write an essay on Qualities of a Successful Person in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Qualities of a Successful Person

Introduction.

A successful person is not defined by wealth alone. Success is about achieving personal goals, being happy, and contributing to society. Let’s explore some qualities of a successful person.

Hard work is crucial. Successful people understand that effort is required to achieve goals. They are not afraid of challenges or failures.

Resilience is another key. Success often comes after numerous failures. Successful people learn from their mistakes and keep trying.

Positive Attitude

A positive attitude helps in overcoming obstacles. Successful people are optimistic and believe in their abilities.

These qualities are essential for success. Cultivate them to achieve your life goals.

250 Words Essay on Qualities of a Successful Person

Success is a subjective term, varying from person to person. However, certain qualities are universally recognized as key indicators of a successful individual. These include resilience, self-awareness, and adaptability among others.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from failures and setbacks. Successful people are not immune to failures, but they possess the mental fortitude to learn from these experiences and continue forward. They view obstacles not as insurmountable barriers, but as opportunities for growth and learning.

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is another hallmark of success. It involves understanding one’s strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and motivations. Successful people are introspective, continually examining their actions and decisions. This self-awareness allows them to make informed choices, align their actions with their values, and continuously improve themselves.

Adaptability

In a rapidly changing world, adaptability is a crucial trait for success. Successful people are open to new ideas and are able to adjust their strategies and plans to suit changing circumstances. They are not rigid in their thinking or approach, but rather, they embrace change and innovation.

While there are many qualities that can contribute to a person’s success, resilience, self-awareness, and adaptability stand out as particularly important. These qualities enable individuals to navigate the challenges of life, learn from their experiences, and continually adapt to new circumstances. Therefore, cultivating these qualities is a worthwhile endeavor for anyone seeking to achieve success.

500 Words Essay on Qualities of a Successful Person

Success is a multifaceted concept, often defined differently by different people. Some perceive it as financial prosperity, while others view it as achieving personal goals or attaining inner peace. Regardless of the definition, there are certain qualities that successful people universally share. This essay will delve into some of these qualities.

Self-Discipline

One of the most important qualities of a successful person is self-discipline. It is the ability to control one’s impulses, emotions, desires, and behavior. It is what separates the successful from the unsuccessful. Successful people understand the importance of consistency and persistence in their actions. They do not let immediate gratification distract them from their long-term goals.

Resilience is another critical quality. Success is not always a smooth journey; it is often fraught with failures and setbacks. Successful people are those who can withstand these challenges and bounce back stronger. They view failures not as the end but as stepping stones towards success. They learn from their mistakes and use them to improve and grow.

Successful people are invariably passionate about what they do. This passion fuels their drive and determination to succeed. It gives them the energy to put in the hard work and the patience to wait for the results. They love what they do, and this love propels them towards their goals.

Curiosity and Continuous Learning

Successful individuals are inherently curious. They have an insatiable desire to learn and grow. They understand that the world is constantly evolving, and to stay ahead, they must continually update their knowledge and skills. They are open to new ideas and perspectives, and they actively seek opportunities for learning and development.

Integrity is a fundamental quality of successful people. They are honest and ethical in their dealings. They believe in fairness and justice. They uphold their values and principles, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. Their actions are guided by a strong moral compass, and they earn respect and trust through their integrity.

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

Successful people have high emotional intelligence. They are aware of their emotions and those of others. They can manage their emotions effectively and use them to guide their actions. They are empathetic and understanding, which helps them build strong relationships and networks.

In conclusion, success is not merely about wealth or fame. It is about fulfilling one’s potential and making a positive impact. The qualities of self-discipline, resilience, passion, curiosity, integrity, and emotional intelligence are key to achieving this success. They are not innate but can be developed and nurtured over time. As we strive for success, we should endeavor to cultivate these qualities within ourselves.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Qualities of a Good Person
• Essay on My Ideal Person
• Essay on How to Help Physically Challenged Persons

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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How to Write an Essay about Your Qualities

In this tutorial, you will learn how to write an essay about your qualities. We’ll also write a sample essay together!

Whether you’re writing for your homework or college applications, writing such an essay is easy if you know where to start and what to do. So, let’s get right to it.

To write an essay about your qualities, consider what makes you stand out. Pick a main idea, choose three qualities that best describe you, write an introduction and a paragraph for each quality, and write a conclusion. 

Let’s face it: you have many qualities, and writing such an essay could be tricky, especially if you don’t organize your thoughts first. So, let’s make things easier for you!

First, pick a main idea.

You need to choose a central idea that overarches the qualities you want to talk about in your essay. To do this, you can think of a personality trait or behavior you can describe using three supporting points— three prominent qualities.

Whatever you choose will be your essay’s thesis .

For example, our main idea can be: “ I am a people’s person . ”

Next, choose three qualities that best support the main idea.

Let’s use the Power of Three to keep your ideas flowing.

The Power of Three divides an essay’s main idea into three supporting points. It is a three-part structure that helps you create your essay’s body paragraphs.

It’s easy to get stuck if you don’t divide your essay’s subject. Similarly, dividing it into only two supporting ideas is not enough, although it may be better than having one undivided main idea.

But dividing it into three is the best way to go. Three is the perfect number of supporting ideas, and it always works.

Make sure you choose ideas distinct from one another to make your essay clear to your readers. But, you should reflect all three supporting points in your thesis statement .

Now, let’s see how this works when writing about your qualities.

For our sample essay, let’s choose these qualities:

I am kind to my family.

This quality talks about how you treat the people closest to you — your family . It also relates to being a people’s person, which should be reflected in the essay.

We can answer questions like these in this part of our essay:

• “Why is it important to be kind to your family?”
• “How do you show kindness to your family?”

I am a loyal friend.

Like the first one, this quality relates to being a people person. 

However, it is different from being kind to your family because it talks about a quality related to your friends .

In this part of our essay, we will answer questions like:

• “Why do you think you need to be loyal to your friends?”
• “How do you show loyalty to your friends?”

I am approachable.

Lastly, also related to being a people’s person, this quality talks about a trait related to people who are not really familiar to you — acquaintances and strangers .

We will answer the following questions in this part of our essay:

• “What does it mean to be approachable?”
• “Do you do something to look approachable to other people?”

Notice how all three qualities relate to being a people person. These three, plus our main idea, are enough for now. Later, you will understand how we can expand them into an entire essay.

Now we have a clear picture of our essay’s structure after dividing the main idea into three distinct supporting points.

Now, write an introduction and a body paragraph for each quality.

Now that we have a general idea of what to write in our essay, we can create the introductory paragraph and three body paragraphs, one for each quality we chose.

To write an introductory paragraph , you need an opening sentence (the introduction) that briefly sets the context of your essay. Next comes the thesis (the main idea) and three supporting points.

Here’s an example of an introductory paragraph:

“Our qualities make us unique. Others say I am a people’s person because I am kind to my family, I am a loyal friend, and I am approachable. I help my family in any way I can and avoid using harsh words when we have disagreements. I support my friends and call them out when they are wrong. And I love smiling nicely so other people won’t be scared of approaching me.”

Note that this paragraph goes from a general statement to three specific ideas.

Great! Now, let’s move on to our body paragraphs , containing our three supporting points — the three qualities we want to discuss in our essay.

To write a body paragraph, start with a topic sentence summarizing it. Then, you will briefly explain it and provide examples to illustrate your idea.

Here are examples of body paragraphs for our essay:

Paragraph 1

“I always choose to be kind to my family because it builds my relationship with them. I help my parents with cleaning up around the house, and even buying groceries sometimes. I also help my siblings with their homework and school projects. And I avoid harsh, insulting words when we have disagreements. Instead, I try to stay calm, understand their point of view, and talk to them kindly.”

Paragraph 2

“My loyalty to my friends is one of the qualities I am proudest to have. I always express my genuine happiness to my friends when they achieve something, big or small. And sometimes, although it is hard, I tell them what they need to hear instead of just telling them what they want. For example, I remember telling my friend Kate she was wrong when she got the highest score for our exam because of cheating. She knows I always support and want the best for her, so she appreciated that I called her out for her mistake.”

Paragraph 3

“Whenever I am at an event, strangers and acquaintances tell me I am approachable. They tell me I look easy to talk to, friendly and welcoming because I always have a nice smile. For instance, I attended a party my new colleague invited me to, where I did not know many people. So, I just smiled and politely introduced myself. After a few minutes, my colleague’s friend — a stranger — told me she found me approachable and would love to be friends.”

Note how all three body paragraphs follow the diagram above. They started with topic sentences, followed by explanations and examples.

Finally, write the conclusion.

Restating your main idea and the three supporting points you used (paraphrasing your introductory paragraph) is the quickest and easiest way to write the conclusion for your essay. 

Let’s try this time-tested method for our essay.

Here’s an example of a concluding paragraph:

“Our qualities make us all unique, and they either make people like or dislike us. Many people tell me I am a people’s person. I get along well with my family because I always choose to be kind to them. I always express my loyalty to my friends. And I enjoy smiling, making people feel welcome and comfortable when they are around me.”

Finally, we’re done writing our sample essay! 

I hope this has been helpful. Now go ahead and write your essay about your qualities!

Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.

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Personal Characteristics Essay: Top Examples and Tips for Successful Writing

Looking to write a compelling personal characteristics essay? Our article offers top examples and tips for successful writing.

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Table of Contents

When it comes to writing a personal characteristics essay, there are several important factors to consider to ensure that your essay stands out from the rest. This type of essay requires you to talk about your personal traits and characteristics and how they have shaped your life experiences and decisions. Writing a personal characteristics essay can be daunting, but with the right strategies and techniques, you can craft an impressive essay that leaves a lasting impression.

Understanding the Purpose of a Personal Characteristics Essay

Before diving into the writing process, it's essential to understand the purpose of a personal characteristics essay. The purpose of this type of essay is to showcase your unique qualities and characteristics, which makes you stand out from the rest. It's an opportunity for the reader to gain insight into your personality and the way you think. Your essay should not only provide a description of your traits but also demonstrate how they influence your actions and decisions.

Additionally, a personal characteristics essay can also serve as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth. Through the process of writing about your traits and how they have impacted your life, you may gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your values. This type of essay can also help you identify areas for improvement and set goals for personal development.

How to Choose a Topic for Your Personal Characteristics Essay

Choosing the right topic for your personal characteristics essay is crucial. You want to select a topic that not only reflects your personality but also allows you to showcase your writing skills. Start by brainstorming a list of traits and characteristics that define you. From there, select a topic that highlights one or two of these traits. Think about a situation that showcases these traits and how you overcame a challenge or learned a valuable lesson.

Another important factor to consider when choosing a topic for your personal characteristics essay is your audience. Think about who will be reading your essay and what they might be interested in learning about you. Consider selecting a topic that is relatable and relevant to your audience, while still highlighting your unique qualities.

It's also important to remember that your personal characteristics essay should not just be a list of traits or accomplishments. Instead, focus on telling a story that illustrates your personality and how it has shaped your experiences and perspectives. Choose a topic that allows you to delve deeper into your personal journey and share insights that will resonate with your readers.

Brainstorming Techniques for Your Personal Characteristics Essay

Brainstorming is an essential step in the writing process. It allows you to generate ideas and make connections between them. Try using mind maps or free-writing to get your ideas down on paper. You might also consider asking friends or family members what they think your most prominent traits are to get an outside perspective.

Another effective technique for brainstorming your personal characteristics essay is to reflect on your past experiences and how they have shaped you. Think about challenges you have faced and how you overcame them, or moments of success and how they have contributed to your personal growth. These experiences can provide valuable insight into your character and help you identify key traits to highlight in your essay.

The Importance of Organizing Your Thoughts and Ideas

Once you've generated your ideas, it's time to organize them. Start by creating an outline that includes the main points you want to make in your essay. Your outline should also include the introduction, body, and conclusion sections of your essay. Organizing your thoughts and ideas will help you stay on track and ensure that you cover all the necessary points in your essay.

Moreover, organizing your thoughts and ideas can also help you identify any gaps in your argument or areas where you need to do more research. By creating an outline, you can see where you need to add more information or examples to support your points. This can help you create a more well-rounded and convincing essay.

Additionally, organizing your thoughts and ideas can also help you save time in the long run. When you have a clear outline to follow, you can write your essay more efficiently and effectively. You won't waste time trying to figure out what to write next or how to structure your essay. Instead, you can focus on writing high-quality content that supports your thesis statement and engages your readers.

Tips for Writing a Strong Introduction to Your Essay

The introduction to your essay is crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of your essay. Your introduction should grab the reader's attention and entice them to keep reading. Consider starting with a hook, such as a quote, an anecdote, or a question. Your introduction should also include your thesis statement, which outlines the main point of your essay.

In addition to a hook and thesis statement, your introduction should also provide some background information on the topic you are writing about. This can help to contextualize your essay and give the reader a better understanding of the subject matter. However, be careful not to include too much information in your introduction, as it can become overwhelming and detract from the main point of your essay.

The Art of Developing a Compelling Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement should be concise and clear. It should provide a roadmap for the rest of your essay. Think about the main point you want to make and how you plan on supporting it throughout your essay. Make sure your thesis statement is arguable and specific.

Supporting Your Claims with Relevant Examples and Evidence

To make your essay more compelling, you should back up your claims and arguments with relevant examples and evidence. This will help your reader understand the extent of your personal qualities and how they have impacted your life experiences. Make sure to include specific examples from your life that illustrate the qualities you're discussing in your essay.

One effective way to provide evidence for your claims is to use statistics or data that support your argument. For example, if you're writing an essay about the benefits of exercise, you could include statistics about the number of people who have improved their health through regular exercise. This will add credibility to your argument and make it more convincing.

Another way to support your claims is to use expert opinions or quotes from reputable sources. This can help to strengthen your argument and show that you have done your research on the topic. Be sure to properly cite any sources you use in your essay.

The Power of Descriptive Writing: Painting a Vivid Picture with Words

Descriptive writing is a powerful tool that can be used to paint a vivid picture of your experiences and personality in your essay. Use sensory details to help your reader visualize your experiences. Consider incorporating metaphors or similes to make your writing more interesting and engaging.

Adding Depth and Complexity to Your Essay through Analysis and Reflection

Analysis and reflection are essential elements of an outstanding personal characteristics essay. Once you have described your traits and experiences, you should analyze how they have contributed to your personal growth and development. Reflection is also important as it allows you to consider how you might apply your characteristics to future situations.

The Benefits of Peer Review and Collaboration in Essay Writing

Collaborating with others can be immensely helpful in refining your essay. You might consider having a friend or family member review your essay and provide feedback. Peer review can help you identify areas where your essay needs improvement and provide suggestions for how to improve it.

Strategies for Effective Editing and Proofreading

Editing and proofreading are crucial steps in the writing process. Once you have completed your essay, take a break and come back to it with fresh eyes. Look for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Make sure to also check that your essay flows logically and that your arguments are well-supported.

Addressing Common Pitfalls in Personal Characteristics Essays

One common pitfall in personal characteristics essays is focusing too much on describing your traits instead of analyzing how they have impacted your life experiences. Another common pitfall is using cliches or generic language instead of making your essay unique and interesting. Be sure to avoid these pitfalls to ensure your essay stands out.

Using Keywords and Meta Tags to Optimize Your Essay for Search Engines

If you plan on publishing your essay online, you might consider optimizing it for search engines such as Google. This involves using keywords and meta tags in your essay that will help it appear higher in search results. Be sure to research the most popular keywords related to your topic and include them strategically in your essay.

Crafting an Impressive Conclusion that Leaves a Lasting Impression

Finally, your conclusion should leave a lasting impression on the reader. Summarize your main points and reiterate your thesis statement. Think about what you want your reader to take away from your essay. Consider ending with a call to action or a memorable quote.

Writing a personal characteristics essay can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies and techniques, you can craft an impressive essay that showcases your unique qualities and characteristics. By following the tips outlined above, you'll be well on your way to writing a successful personal characteristics essay that leaves a lasting impression.

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41 Good Character Traits List Essential For Happiness

“His conscience was the strongest element of his nature. His affections were tender and warm. His whole nature was simple and sincere – he was pure, and then was himself.”

“Such a nature was admirably constituted to direct an heroic struggle on the part of a people proud enough to prefer a guide to a leader, a man commissioned to execute the popular will but, as in his case, strong enough to enforce his own.”

If you haven't guessed yet, these good attributes  were written about the character of the sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.

President Lincoln was a role model for integrity and honesty.

He offers us so many examples of good character traits .

These good qualities stayed with him throughout the trials and tribulations of leading a country during one of the worst periods of its history.

Of course, Lincoln was president during the 19th century when the character of a person was a highly-regarded quality.

What is good character?

1. integrity, 4. respectfulness, 5. responsibility, 6. humility, 7. compassion, 8. fairness, 9. forgiveness, 10. authenticity, 11. courageousness, 12. generosity, 13. perseverance, 14. politeness, 15. kindness, 16. lovingness, 17. optimism, 18. reliability, 19. conscientiousness, 20. self-disciplined, 21. ambitiousness, 22. encouraging, 23. forgiving, 24. considerate, 25. thoroughness, why is good character important, character traits for kids, step 1: define your core values., step 2: practice the habits., step 3: find people with good character., step 5: take some risks., step 6: stretch yourself., step 7: commit to self-improvement., final thoughts.

Good character includes traits like loyalty, honesty, courage, integrity, fortitude, and other important virtues that promote good behavior.

A person with good character chooses to do the right thing because he or she believes it is the morally right to do so.

Other positive character traits have less to do with morals but still define a person's character .

For example, being tenacious or creative can be excellent attributes but are not moral imperatives.

When a person possesses good character, it is exhibited through his or her words and actions .

It's not limited to a single value, but the traits are demonstrated in the “good” choices they make and the “bad” choices they avoid.

41 Good Character Traits That Impact Your Happiness

I invite you to look over this character traits list and pick at least one of these good qualities to begin working on:

Integrity is a personal trait that has strong moral principles and core values and then conducting your life with those as your guide.

When you have integrity, you main your adherence to it whether or not other people are watching.

Honesty is a good trait that is more than telling the truth. It's living the truth.

It is being straightforward and trustworthy in all of your interactions, relationships, and thoughts. Being honest requires self-honesty and authenticity.

“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character ; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” ~ Lao Tzu

Loyalty is an ethical trait of faithfulness and devotion to your loved ones, your friends, and anyone with whom you have a trusted relationship.

Loyalty is a good quality that can also extend to your employer, the organizations you belong to, your community, and your country.

With this character attribute you treat yourself and others with courtesy, kindness, deference, dignity, and civility.

You offer basic respect as a sign of your value for the worth of all people and your ability to accept the inherent flaws we all possess.

This exceptional quality accepts personal, relational, career, community, and societal obligations even when they are difficult or uncomfortable.

This personal trait follows through on commitments and proactively create or accept accountability for your behavior and choices.

You have a confident yet modest opinion of your own self-importance.

You don't see yourself as “too good” for other people or situations.

With this honorable trait you have a learning and growth mindset and the desire to express and experience gratitude for what you have, rather than expecting you deserve more.

This character traits example feels deep sympathy and pity for the suffering and misfortune of others, and you have a desire to do something to alleviate their suffering.

Using discernment, compassion, and integrity, this a character trait strives to make decisions and take actions based on what you consider the ultimate best course or outcome for all involved.

You make conscious, intentional decisions to let go of resentment and anger toward someone for an offense — whether or not forgiveness is sought by the offender.

Forgiveness may or may not include pardoning, restoration, or reconciliation. It extends both to others and to one's self.

With this virtuous attribute you are able to be your real and true self, without pretension, posturing, or insincerity.

You are capable of showing appropriate vulnerability and self-awareness.

In spite of fear of danger, discomfort, or pain, this good human quality requires the mental fortitude to carry on with a commitment, plan, or decision, knowing it is the right or best course of action.

This good quality is willing to offer time, energy, efforts, emotions , words, or assets without the expectation of something in return.

This character trait offers these freely and often joyously.

Perseverance is a character trait steadfast persistence and determination to continue on with a course of action, belief, or purpose, even if it's difficult or uncomfortable in order to reach a higher goal or outcome.

This character trait is knowledgeable of basic good manners, common courtesies, and etiquette, and are willing to apply those to all people you encounter.

You desire to learn the personal skills of politeness in order to enhance your relationships and self-esteem.

Kindness is a positive attribute of being considerate, helpful, and benevolent to others.

This virtuous trait is motivated by a positive disposition and the desire for warm and pleasant interactions.

This character trait has the ability to be loving toward those you love means showing them through your words, actions, and expressions how deeply you care about them.

It includes the willingness to be open and vulnerable.

Optimism is a virtuous example of having a sense of hopefulness and confidence about the future.

It involves a positive mental attitude in which you interpret life events, people, and situations in a promising light.

This character quality can be consistently depended upon to follow through on your commitments, actions, and decisions. You do what you say you will do.

This character attribute has the desire to do things well or to the best of your ability.

You are thorough, careful, efficient, organized, and vigilant in your efforts, based on your own principles or sense of what is right.

With this good character trait, you are able, through good habits or willpower, to overcome your desires or feelings in order to follow the best course of action or to rise to your commitments or principles.

You have a strong sense of self-control in order to reach a desired goal.

Developing these traits of good character can be difficult to foster and maintain, but they afford so many positive benefits to improve the quality of your life.

When you have ambitiousness, you possess the keen desire to achieve your goals .

Whether you are seeking to make more money, build a business, excel in your career, or find the love of your life, your ambition gives you the motivation to make it happen.

This character trait is positive as long as your ambition doesn't overshadow your values or force you to compromise other positive character traits.

When you are encouraging, you offer hope, strength, and positive reinforcement to others. You go out of your way to give someone support and confidence.

This is an excellent trait as it reveals your ability to understand and care for others in an emotionally intelligent way. Because of your encouraging nature, others are naturally attracted to you.

The ability to forgive yourself and others reveals that you have a balanced perspective of human nature and the flaws inherent in all of us.

You are able to let go of grudges and resentment which in turn frees you and anyone who might have offended you.

It is an advanced trait that is an act of courage and commitment.

When you possess the trait of being considerate, you show an ability to think of other people as well as yourself.

You show care to others and seek to understand how they might feel in certain situations and adjust your behavior accordingly.

To be considerate also means being polite and respectful — even of those at a different station in life from you.

When you are thorough, you're willing to put in the extra effort to ensure things are done completely and correctly.

Others can count on you to fulfill your commitments with great care and attention to detail.

Your ability to be thorough and consistent in your efforts mean you can expect more success and respect in your personal and professional life.

26. Patience

Cultivating the virtue of patience, defined as the ability to calmly withstand frustrations and delays, leads to personal growth.

It allows us to practice self-control while thoughtfully considering situations rather than reacting rashly when faced with difficulties.  

27. Decisiveness

The quality of being decisive, meaning having clear confidence to commit to timely choices based on reasonable situational analysis.

It enables determined follow-through yet requires trusting one's judgment, thoroughly researching options, and firmly settling on sound decisions.

28. Tactfulness 

Using thoughtful diplomacy and care when communicating demonstrates the emotional intelligence and consideration of the tactful among us. They choose gentle truthfulness over blunt honesty, aiming to inform or advise without unduly causing harm.

Cultivating such nuanced expressions means continually refining language while seeking the right moments to broach sensitive subjects.

29.  Reasonableness   

Possessing sound logic, moderation, and balanced rationality signifies reasonableness.

It's a trait cultivated by questioning assumptions, listening to different views, and allowing new evidence and situations to shift established opinions appropriately.

30.  Observantness

Observant people attentively notice subtle details that reveal deeper truths, having cultivated patience and curiosity to suspend quick judgments.

Their heightened awareness of nuances makes them empathic companions as well as insightful leaders when collaboration hinges on understanding.

31. Conviction

When you adhere to firmly held beliefs and principles with dedicated zeal, it fuels passionate, purposeful action for change.

Clarifying core values and seeking affirming evidence strengthens constructive conviction while openness to other perspectives prevents extreme views.

32.  Adventurousness   

The adventurous among us are life's eager explorers, always up for novel challenges that push past safe bounds into eye-opening experiences. Feeling bored by routine comforts, they venture into fresh terrain guided by curious spirits not fear of the unknown.

Of course reasonable risks expand perspectives and uncover hidden talents if taken with flexible openness.

33. Sophistication  

Those exhibiting sophistication appreciate and contribute to cultural excellence, whether in cuisine, art, intellect, or etiquette. Their discernment arises from varied exposure aimed at broadening perspectives beyond superficialities.

Seeking out life's finer stimulations helps sophisticates nurture critical faculties and refine their sensibilities gracefully. In the process they carry civilization a bit further toward its highest potentials.

34.  Individuality

Truly individual people think and live according to their own inner compasses, not the herd's. They cultivate their one-of-a-kind interests and values with creative grit because fitting in bores them.

Standing apart certainly raises eyebrows and risks ridicule, but the self-defined lifestyle pays off in self-respect.

35. Attractiveness

Attractive people have magnetic qualities that make others notice and feel pleased by their presence. They project confident charisma blended with physical appeal based on how they creatively self-express.

But attractiveness also conveys deeper qualities like compassion and emotional intelligence through charming behaviors. Overall attractiveness signals vibrant self-acceptance that the rest of us find inspiring.

36. Wittiness

Let's appreciate witty people who light up conversations with their unexpected amusing remarks that hit the bullseye again and again.

They play languages like instruments, never missing a beat or botching the timing of their quips. Wits keep our minds bouncing and scenes perky by spotting ironies on the fly.

37. Heroism  

Heroes are all about risking life and limb for a meaningful cause or to help others in game-changing ways. We're talking next-level courage and self-sacrifice.

They face the fire, charge the gun, stay when others flee. Trained or untrained, heroes show up guns blazing because innocent lives hang in the balance – or ethics worth dying for.

38. Punctuality   

The punctual among us reveal integrity and discipline by keeping solid commitments to reliably arrive when expected.

They respect shared timelines by preparing thoroughly then buffering against unforeseen delays. Because consistent punctuality drives effective collaboration, we should aim to make it a moral imperative.

39. Assertiveness

Assertive communication promotes progress by directly yet respectfully expressing needs and preferences to find fair solutions.

Assertiveness first means knowing our boundaries, then stating them confidently without aggression using thoughtful language. It proves reaching win-win scenarios hinges on eloquent advocacy, not just compromise.

40. Articulateness  

Those gifted with articulateness wield language elegantly to crystallize and convey meanings with clarity and nuance. They organize thoughts logically, select vocabulary purposefully, then speak fluidly in their refined expressiveness.

We reach new levels of communication by following their lead to understand before seeking to be understood.

41. Tenaciousness  

When tenacious people promise worthy achievements, they cling to their visions relentlessly by summoning supreme resilience and resolve.

They transform discouragement into fuel for their burning ambitions which are stoked by an almost spiritual purpose. Tenacity of this rare caliber explains how world-changing outcomes materialize against all odds.

According to historian Warren Susman in his book Culture as History , the use of the phrase “good character” peaked in the 19th century.

“Character was a keyword in the vocabulary of Englishmen and Americans,” says Susman, and so important to society that it was promoted as an essential component of one's identity.

Things began to change in the 20th century, as we transitioned from a producing to a consuming society. Emphasis shifted from a focus on virtue and goodness to a focus on self and material possessions.

Says Susman, “The vision of self-sacrifice began to yield to that of self-realization.”

It became more important to cultivate personality traits , influence, and outer perceptions than to develop nobility of heart, mind, and deed.

In fact, Abraham Lincoln likely would never be elected president today.

In this age of cyber-bullying and political discord, it seems that good character traits are losing their relevance.

Is developing personal traits of goodness and virtue an outdated, useless pursuit that has little value in modern society?

It doesn't take much life experience to discover how essential attributes of integrity are when it comes to one's self-esteem, relationships, and life satisfaction.

Good character traits . . .

• Help build respect and trust from others.
• Motivate and inspire better character from others.
• Build self-respect and confidence.
• Provide a framework for making important decisions and choices.
• Reflect leadership qualities in personal and professional endeavors.

In addition, individual virtue is the linchpin for a healthy, functioning society.

Although it may not be a popular pursuit, developing these important character traits is one of the most satisfying, emotionally intelligent endeavors you'll ever undertake.

Good character consists of defining your values and integrity based on time-tested principles and self-reflection and having the courage to live your life accordingly.

So how do you begin to improve your character?

Good character isn't something you are born with. Developing good character begins when you are a child, and it's essential that parents and teachers prioritize teaching positive character qualities.

Through activities, games, lessons , and real-world experiences, children can grow in character and understand how these important traits make them happier, more successful, and more resilient.

Teaching traits like kindness, respect, and responsibility also help children develop self-esteem, as well as moral and ethical values.

When teaching these traits to children, adult role models should consider the following:

• Focus more on reinforcing good traits rather than pointing out bad ones.
• Offer children more positive ways of behaving and reacting when they exhibit bad character traits.
• Discuss with children how these good traits will positively impact their lives and make them more successful.
• Set high (but age appropriate) standards for children and make those standards clear and actionable.
• Use books and other literature with stories that reinforce positive character.
• Set a good example yourself for children to emulate and aspire to.

Setting this good example means that adults must look at themselves to assess their own skills and work to improve any areas where their traits might be weak.

Let's take a look at how you can become a role model to others by improving your character.

How to Build Good Character

If you believe developing these positive characteristics, here are some action steps to show you how.

Know what is most important to you by determining your values for your professional and personal life.

These are the principles that are the foundation for your priorities, choices, actions, and behaviors.

You can start by looking at this list of values.

Pick one or two from this list of positive character traits above to practice for several weeks.

Write down the actions you want to take or the behaviors you define that reflect this trait, and implement them in your daily life and interactions.

Wear a rubber band on your wrist or create other reminders to help you practice these good qualities.

Surround yourself with people who reflect the character traits you want to embrace.

They will inspire and motivate you to build these traits in yourself.

Try to avoid people who have a weak character and make bad decisions.

Start taking small actions toward a goal or value that involves some level of risk.

When you face the possibility of failure and challenge yourself toward success, you become mentally and emotionally stronger and more committed to your principles.

Create high standards and big goals for yourself.

Expect the best of yourself and constantly work toward that, even though you will have setbacks and occasional failures.

Every stretch builds your confidence and knowledge that your positive character traits are getting stronger.

Realize that building your character is a life-long endeavor.

It is something that is practiced both in the minutiae and the defining moments of your life.

There will be times you step up to the character traits you embrace and other times you falter.

By remaining committed to personal growth and learning about yourself, your character will naturally improve, even through the failures.

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What do you consider to be the most important and valuable character traits?

How do you reflect these traits in your daily life both at work and in your personal life?

I hope you'll use these traits to help you stay anchored to being your best self . You now have some tools to improve your own life and positively influence the lives of others.

• Pick one or two of these traits where you feel you have room for improvement.
• Write down some specific behaviors or choices that are negatively impacting your character in these areas.
• Then brainstorm action steps or changes you can make to grow in this area and improve the character qualities.
• Keep a journal or make notes about your efforts and how they are impacting your life and relationships.

As you work through this character traits list, and continue to prioritize sharpening your skills, you'll find your confidence and self-esteem grows. And you'll observe that others view you as a leader and source of motivation.

Character still counts, even in this modern era when it seems no longer relevant. It separates you as someone of substance and courage. And our world needs a lot more of that.

17 thoughts on “41 Good Character Traits List Essential For Happiness”

Couldn’t agree with this feature more! I’ve always taught these core values to my children and tried to follow them myself. I’m sick and tired of the way so many people admire wealth and fame over a good heart and honest living. If we all were a little kinder and forgiving instead of greedy and selfish, the world would be such a better place. x

Show Love, give Love. Love

Hello! I ran into your site utterly by mistake, and am really glad I did! This is very interesting, and I can tell you have spent some time studying this. Thanks!

I love this. It’s such a good reminder of what I need to work on, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to feel gratitude for the traits I naturally possess. That’s a beautiful quote by Seneca, as well. Always love these roundups, Barrie!

A great article Barrie! External possessions can be whisked away in an instant but our character is internal. It’s ours and it can never be taken away from us. If we focus on our character, our reputation will take care of itself. But if we focus on our reputation and what others think of us, our character will always be called into question… and we can never be truly happy. The challenges we face in life on a constant basis are often opportunities for us to build our character – hence the term “character building”, something that has gone out of fashion in today’s quick fix world but something that is crucial to long term happiness. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Barrie, excellent work, I think it really help us. Thanks again for caring so much

Thanks Barrie for every article. I look forward for your articles.

I’ve always loved reading your articles, very informative and inspiring, Character is what defines a person, having a good character gains respect more than anything else. Thanks for sharing. Great Post!

I definitely agree that these 20 character traits are what we should strive to become. My favorites are integrity, honesty and humility. These are the traits I look for in people. Our moral values are what makes us and living a life with integrity, honesty and humility can never go wrong. We will not only achieve success but happiness as well.

That was a great list of traits you must have. I couldn’t agree more with the points that you talked about, however. Fortunately when you begin practicing one or two of those things on a consistent basis the rest will usually follow in a domino effect-like fashion. If all of us practiced these things on a daily basis this world would be a much better place.

Well done to this article I have learned a lot based and what I have read and will pratice them in my daily life.

Really enjoyed reading this article. Can’t wait to put this insightful knowledge to good use. Thank You

I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING IN THIS ARTICLE, I HAVE FAILED IN MOST OF THE TRAITS BUT I AM NOT GIVING UP BECOS I KNOW GOD HONORS A HONEST HEART THAT WANT TO PRESERVE THAN PERFECTION. THE GOAL IS BEING PERFECT, A RIGHTEOUS MAN FALL 7X BUT EACH TIME PICK HIM SELF BACK UP, THAT’S THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL AND UNSUCCESSFUL.

This list is going to come in handy. I am going to use it to help my daughter realize that reconciling with her ex husband is not a good decision. The man plotted for six months to abandon her and their one year old daughter. He put ‘his’ house on the market, had her find an apartment, moved the essentials into the apartment and claimed that the rest were going into storage until they found another place. The evening before my daughter, granddaughter , and I were returning from our beach vacation, he called her to say he had moved into another place, leaving her with unpacked boxes, no income, and emotionally distraught.. His reason was that she was spending all her time with the baby makng him feel like a non-entity. It’s been a year and a half since this happened and memories fade. Our whole family realizes that it’s ultimately her decision but we want to guide her to seeing the type of person he is not and that she deserves better.

You know this information is needed for our children as they grow so that they can change our country or develop it with respect. It may help a lot if it can be a core subject. Our cultural identity can get to a higher standard.

You probably shouldn’t use Abraham Lincoln as an example for how to find happiness. He was a famously unhappy person and almost certainly had what would be called clinical depression today.

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Home / Essay Samples / Sociology / Personal Qualities

Personal Qualities Essay Examples

The who am i reflection: a journey of self-discovery.

Who am I? In this reflection essay I'll explore my identity and values shaped by my family, experiences, and personal beliefs. People say that I am a very shy person, that I do not talk a lot. Although I might come out as a shy...

Resiliency and Adaptability: Key Traits of the Filipino Spirit

Values are something that disciplines a person’s attitude. It is a judgement of what is the importance of life. Human values guide the person on how to interact with other people. In line with this, Filipino values are set of values that Filipinos have historically...

The Power of Personal Qualities: a Reflection

Personal qualities are the unique attributes that define who we are as individuals. They shape our character, influence our actions, and contribute to our interactions with the world around us. Throughout my journey, I have come to appreciate the profound impact that personal qualities can...

Being Self-aware: Knowing What Are My Weaknesses Or Vulnerabilities

My qualities comprise of positivity, motivation, diligence, and love. I pick these four since I feel that I am most dependable in these parts of my life. Being sure is a huge factor in all that I do. I generally need to be cheerful and...

Values and Personal Credo Examples

Qualities are the properties that shape who we are as a person. There are many qualities which can change throughout life and there are ones which I believe will accompany us in our lifetime. As far as I am concerned, some qualities such as having...

Becoming a Successful Student: the Concept of Independent Learning

In this independent essay there will be an attempt to describe the concept of independed learning style and whether it is more useful to become a successful student. This essay is based on personal experience. So independent learning is a process and a philosophy by...

Exploring What Makes a Great Teacher

Great teachers are more than instructors; they are mentors, inspirers, and cultivators of lifelong learning. This essay delves into the qualities that distinguish a great teacher, examining the traits that foster effective learning, create meaningful connections, and leave a lasting impact on students' lives. By...

Introvert Vs Extrovert: Compare and Contrast Analysis

Have you ever wondered why some people keep to themselves or how others are super talkative? There are two kinds of people in the world. They are either introverts or extroverts. These two things can mainly be based on personality level, how your childhood was,...

Rap Vs Narcissism

In the article “Rhythm and Lyrics of Rap Music Do Not Change Narcissistic Personality State”, the authors Kristen Craft and Robert Elsner share their opinion that there is not a direct connection between lyrics in rap and narcissistic behavior traits. While it could be easy...

Personal Qualities of an Effective Manager

There are many defining qualities that individual must possess and demonstrate for a company to consider one successful manager; education, age, and experience are merely not enough. However, these considerations may vary depending on the size of the team or staff and the type of...

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