What, in the larger scheme of things, qualifies as “good”? There are some characteristics that almost everyone agrees are positive. Cultural differences can affect what a person’s goodness implies and conveys. Many of these characteristics will come up when asked to explain why some of our idols are (or were) genuinely nice people.
1. Caution
Prudent people are decent people. Prudence is the capacity to judge whether a certain course of action is wise (or appropriate) at that particular moment. It is regarded as one of the four cardinal virtues, having its roots in Plato’s Republic.
2. Modesty
Contrary to popular belief, temperance refers to moderation rather than abstention from any one thing. Finding the middle ground and maintaining one’s equilibrium in every circumstance are traits of temperance. It includes both self-control and self-awareness. After all, determining the middle ground between your capabilities and limitations requires that you understand both of them.
3. Bravery
Courage is a trait that good individuals frequently exhibit. The ability to act despite dread is what defines courage, not the absence of fear. It’s completing a task even though you know it will be challenging and maybe risky because you know it must be done.
4. Empathy
It takes more than merely being aware of another person’s suffering to be empathetic. Additionally, it’s the urge to lessen it. It is possible to show sympathy for someone by seeing their misery and then turn away. But compassion is demonstrated when we wish to lend a hand however we can.
5. Generosity
One trait that is frequently linked to nice people is generosity. Sharing with others who have less is vital when we have more of something. Sharing with others is crucial, even if we don’t have much more. We always have something to offer or share with individuals in our immediate vicinity. This doesn’t have to involve material possessions or financial prosperity either.
6. Be patient
Although many people respect this quality, it is also one of the hardest to turn into reality. This can be the case since not many people are naturally patient.
7. Deference
Without a doubt, a nice individual possesses respect. Respect is a broad concept that encompasses many different dimensions. Respect for life, the environment, other people, and oneself are all included in this. Respect may take many forms, including tolerance, regard, admiration, and acknowledgment.
8. Flexibility
Tolerating others is recognizing that others could believe, act, or live differently than we do and not attempting to modify them to fit our preferences. To put it simply: let it live. Try to comprehend those who are different from you in terms of their cultures, ethnicities, faiths, and creeds instead of criticizing them for them.
9. Honesty
A decent individual would behave honorably. Being honorable entails acting morally even when no one is looking. It’s standing by your personal moral and ethical principles in the face of outside pressures and viewpoints. particularly when it’s challenging to do so.
10. Commitment
This one adheres to integrity but takes it a step further. Being committed entails keeping your promise, even when it is hard to do so. This might be continuing to work on a task or project that you detest only because you committed to someone. Alternatively, it might mean sticking by a partner’s side even when you don’t personally support monogamy since you promised to be faithful.
11. Sincerity
Honesty is frequently described as a trait of a decent person. Could you ever trust someone again if you found out they had lied to you? What would prevent them from lying to you about anything and everything else if they had lied to you the first time?
Honesty is valued and respected by others, particularly when it’s challenging. For instance, if and when we make terrible mistakes at work, we should own up to them, accept responsibility, and move to correct them.
12. Modesty
Do you know someone who is constantly boasting about how amazing they are? The antithesis of that is humility. Adhering to the belief that no one is superior to or inferior to another, regardless of fame, fortune, accolades, or accomplishments, is the essence of humility.
People who believe they are superior to others or have greater significance than others often treat others poorly. Because they believe they are unique, they frequently demand greater treatment and the freedom to make fun of others around them.
13. Power
Rather than being physically strong, mental and emotional strength is what defines a good person. Even while strength is unwavering, it may be displayed gently. Consider Mahatma Gandhi and his period of fasting. Even though it was excruciating, it required tremendous fortitude to stifle his hunger so that he might strive toward positive change. It took a great deal of character fortitude for Hannibal and Marcus Aurelius to keep everyone together over such a long voyage.
14. Fondness
In the West, there is only one term that can adequately describe the multitude of varieties of love that exist. Most of the love that we know about is romantic love, or the love that exists between parents and children. However, we might also have an unwavering affection for the environment or people. And we know we are in love when we give our all to the freedom, prosperity, health, and happiness of other people.
15. Awareness of oneself
You have an instinct that tells you when you’ve done well or poorly. You will know without a doubt that your acts were not ones of love or respect if you have ever done something and are a little ashamed or disgusted by them. Maybe you took a devious action to further your agenda. Or your self-centered generosity served your interests far more than that of the other person.
Read More: 35 Things You Should Learn In School, But Don’t
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