What is good character and how do you know if someone has it?
When trying to find out what is good character, ask yourself if you are doing something right because you think that it is really the right thing to do, and not because you are being influenced to do so by others. (Pssst… a person with good character can easily withstand peer pressure, especially the negative sort!)
Good character is something that should not be just for show when you are in front of other people. In fact, one’s true character manifests most especially when you are acting by yourself or when you think no one else is looking.
Character is something that is intrinsically within a person and is above race, religion, age or gender, and even education and one’s personality. Character traits will determine how a person responds or reacts when faced with a certain situation in life. For example, if someone has honesty as a character trait, he will always be truthful and say things that are true as opposed to a person who is not honest.
More about What is Good Character and
Each person has a set of qualities and traits that they think are
good. Overall, almost everyone will agree that honesty and integrity,
loyalty, and dependability are good qualities
of a person. If we want a certain trait for ourselves, we should
determine which one is important for us and why we really want to have
it. Then we must begin the work of cultivating — or growing — it within
ourselves. By having a certain character trait as a specific goal, one
can work towards acquiring it much more easily because you will be more
conscious of your actions and will think of ways to active it in your
daily life.
For example, if you want to be an honest person, you will want to look into the sub-traits that compose it such as truthfulness, diligence and dependability, among others. If you want to work on having honesty as a character trait, you must commit to being a truthful, diligent and dependable person as well.
~~~
“Character is like a tree and
reputation like its shadow.
The shadow is what we think of it;
the tree is the real thing.”
- Abraham Lincoln
~~~
A person that is considered to have good character exhibits
attributes such as integrity, honesty, courage, loyalty, fortitude, and
other important virtues that promote good behavior and habits. Moreover,
character marks who we are as a person, and it also highly influences
the choices that we make in our lives.“Character is like a tree and
reputation like its shadow.
The shadow is what we think of it;
the tree is the real thing.”
- Abraham Lincoln
~~~
When trying to find out what is good character, ask yourself if you are doing something right because you think that it is really the right thing to do, and not because you are being influenced to do so by others. (Pssst… a person with good character can easily withstand peer pressure, especially the negative sort!)
Good character is something that should not be just for show when you are in front of other people. In fact, one’s true character manifests most especially when you are acting by yourself or when you think no one else is looking.
Character is something that is intrinsically within a person and is above race, religion, age or gender, and even education and one’s personality. Character traits will determine how a person responds or reacts when faced with a certain situation in life. For example, if someone has honesty as a character trait, he will always be truthful and say things that are true as opposed to a person who is not honest.
More about What is Good Character and
How to Further Develop It
Each person has a set of qualities and traits that they think are
good. Overall, almost everyone will agree that honesty and integrity,
loyalty, and dependability are good qualities
of a person. If we want a certain trait for ourselves, we should
determine which one is important for us and why we really want to have
it. Then we must begin the work of cultivating — or growing — it within
ourselves. By having a certain character trait as a specific goal, one
can work towards acquiring it much more easily because you will be more
conscious of your actions and will think of ways to active it in your
daily life.For example, if you want to be an honest person, you will want to look into the sub-traits that compose it such as truthfulness, diligence and dependability, among others. If you want to work on having honesty as a character trait, you must commit to being a truthful, diligent and dependable person as well.
~~~
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.
Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened,
ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
- Helen Keller
~~~
Many successful people are known to have strong and good character,
and they consider this as their basic foundation. Many people can have
riches and resources, but if one does not know what is good character
and does not apply it in their lives, then they will never know what it
means to be truly successful.“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.
Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened,
ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
- Helen Keller
~~~
Character Traits
Characters (and real-life people) have unique attributes called traits. Use the following list of character traits as a guideline when writing book reports and essays about the different characters you've read about. Don't stop with this list, though; you can probably think of many more terms to describe your characters.
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Character Qualities
Definitions:
Alertness
Being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right responses
Attentiveness
Showing the worth of a person or task by giving my undivided concentration
Availability
Making my schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve
Benevolence
Giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward
Boldness
Confidence to say or do what is true, right, and just
Cautiousness
Knowing the importance of right timing in accomplishing right actions
Compassion
Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others
Contentment
Realizing that true happiness does not depend on material conditions
Creativity
Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective
Decisiveness
The ability to recognize key factors and finalize difficult decisions
Deference
Limiting my freedom so I do not offend the tastes of those around me
Dependability
Fulfilling what I consented to do, even if it means unexpected sacrifice
Determination
Purposing to accomplish right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition
Diligence
Investing all my energy to complete the tasks assigned to me
Discernment
Understanding the deeper reasons why things happen
Discretion
Recognizing and avoiding words, actions, and attitudes that could bring undesirable consequences
Endurance
The inward strength to withstand stress and do my best
Enthusiasm
Expressing joy in each task as I give it my best effort
Faith
Confidence that actions rooted in good character will yield the best outcome, even when I cannot see how
Flexibility
Willingness to change plans or ideas without getting upset
Forgiveness
Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding a grudge
Generosity
Carefully managing my resources so I can freely give to those in need
Gentleness
Showing consideration and personal concern for others
Gratefulness
Letting others know by my words and actions how they have benefited my life
Honor
Respecting others because of their worth as human beings
Hospitality
Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, and friendship with others
Humility
Acknowledging that achievement results from the investment of others in my life
Initiative
Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it
Joyfulness
Maintaining a good attitude, even when faced with unpleasant conditions
Justice
Taking personal responsibility to uphold what is pure, right, and true
Loyalty
Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to those I serve
Meekness
Yielding my personal rights and expectations with a desire to serve
Obedience
Quickly and cheerfully carrying out the direction of those who are responsible for me
Orderliness
Arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve greater efficiency
Patience
Accepting a difficult situation without giving a deadline to remove it
Persuasiveness
Guiding vital truths around another’s mental roadblocks
Punctuality
Showing esteem for others by doing the right thing at the right time
Resourcefulness
Making wise use of what others might overlook or discard
Responsibility
Knowing and doing what is expected of me
Security
Structuring my life around that which cannot be destroyed or taken away
Self-Control
Rejecting wrong desires and doing what is right
Sensitivity
Using my senses to perceive the true attitudes and emotions of others
Sincerity
Eagerly doing what is right with transparent motives
Thoroughness
Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words, if neglected
Thriftiness
Allowing myself and others to spend only what is necessary
Tolerance
Accepting others at different levels of maturity
Truthfulness
Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts
Virtue
The moral excellence evident in my life as I consistently do what is right
Wisdom
Making practical applications of truth in daily decisions
Alertness
Being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right responses
Attentiveness
Showing the worth of a person or task by giving my undivided concentration
Availability
Making my schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve
Benevolence
Giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward
Boldness
Confidence to say or do what is true, right, and just
Cautiousness
Knowing the importance of right timing in accomplishing right actions
Compassion
Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others
Contentment
Realizing that true happiness does not depend on material conditions
Creativity
Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective
Decisiveness
The ability to recognize key factors and finalize difficult decisions
Deference
Limiting my freedom so I do not offend the tastes of those around me
Dependability
Fulfilling what I consented to do, even if it means unexpected sacrifice
Determination
Purposing to accomplish right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition
Diligence
Investing all my energy to complete the tasks assigned to me
Discernment
Understanding the deeper reasons why things happen
Discretion
Recognizing and avoiding words, actions, and attitudes that could bring undesirable consequences
Endurance
The inward strength to withstand stress and do my best
Enthusiasm
Expressing joy in each task as I give it my best effort
Faith
Confidence that actions rooted in good character will yield the best outcome, even when I cannot see how
Flexibility
Willingness to change plans or ideas without getting upset
Forgiveness
Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding a grudge
Generosity
Carefully managing my resources so I can freely give to those in need
Gentleness
Showing consideration and personal concern for others
Gratefulness
Letting others know by my words and actions how they have benefited my life
Honor
Respecting others because of their worth as human beings
Hospitality
Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, and friendship with others
Humility
Acknowledging that achievement results from the investment of others in my life
Initiative
Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it
Joyfulness
Maintaining a good attitude, even when faced with unpleasant conditions
Justice
Taking personal responsibility to uphold what is pure, right, and true
Loyalty
Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to those I serve
Meekness
Yielding my personal rights and expectations with a desire to serve
Obedience
Quickly and cheerfully carrying out the direction of those who are responsible for me
Orderliness
Arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve greater efficiency
Patience
Accepting a difficult situation without giving a deadline to remove it
Persuasiveness
Guiding vital truths around another’s mental roadblocks
Punctuality
Showing esteem for others by doing the right thing at the right time
Resourcefulness
Making wise use of what others might overlook or discard
Responsibility
Knowing and doing what is expected of me
Security
Structuring my life around that which cannot be destroyed or taken away
Self-Control
Rejecting wrong desires and doing what is right
Sensitivity
Using my senses to perceive the true attitudes and emotions of others
Sincerity
Eagerly doing what is right with transparent motives
Thoroughness
Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words, if neglected
Thriftiness
Allowing myself and others to spend only what is necessary
Tolerance
Accepting others at different levels of maturity
Truthfulness
Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts
Virtue
The moral excellence evident in my life as I consistently do what is right
Wisdom
Making practical applications of truth in daily decisions
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