What are valuable, positive character traits of a good person? Wenn du eine klare Antwort auf diese Frage suchst, bist du hier genau richtig. Vielleicht stehst du gerade vor einem wichtigen Bewerbungsgespräch – vielleicht möchtest du dich aber auch einfach nur inspirieren lassen und die Entwicklung deiner Persönlichkeit vorantreiben. Was es auch ist: es gibt wirklich ein Füllhorn erstrebenswerter Eigenschaften, die dich zu einem guten, netten oder „besseren“ Menschen machen.
In this article, I'm going to introduce you to desirable qualities that characterize a good person and character - and that brighten both your own life and the lives of those around you. Let's go!
Important Notice: Du bist kein schlechter Mensch, wenn dich nur einige oder gar keine der Charaktereigenschaften aus dieser Liste auszeichnen! Es gibt Tausende positiver Wesensmerkmale. Hier behandle ich nur einen Bruchteil von ihnen – und zwar die, die das Make life much easier.
Brief clarification of terms: what is character and how do you define a good person?
Vorab sollten wir noch kurz die ein oder andere Definition klären! Was ist denn eigentlich Charakter? Im Duden wird er als „individuelles Gepräge eines Menschen durch ererbte und erworbene Eigenschaften, wie es in seinem Wollen und Handeln zum Ausdruck kommt“ bezeichnet.1
Man kann den Charakter also durchaus auch als Nature or personality of a person denote. In everyday life, we often make a moral evaluation of others, for example, by attesting to their good, bad, or difficult character.
And what does it mean to be a good person? For one person, you are a good person if you are loyal - for another, if you are friendly and helpful. Everyone has a different idea, which is why a Unambiguous, universally valid definition impossible is. So we have to try it another way!
Good to know: Do you already know the Big-Five-Persönlichkeitsmodell? Offenheit, Gewissenhaftigkeit, Extraversion, Verträglichkeit und Neurotizismus sind demnach die fünf Kernelemente des menschlichen Charakters. Es sind sozusagen die übergeordneten Charakterzüge eines jeden Menschen.
14 positive character traits - What are the characteristics of a good person?
It is true that the definition of a good character or a good person seems impossible. However, one can define a recognize good people by positive character traits. Some of them I would like to introduce you now, as promised.
1. gratitude
Being arrogant and inconsiderate, always wanting more and taking everything for granted, tends to mark a bad character. We perceive people much more positively who are grateful and value the things that we give them or that they have in their lives.
"Grateful people are like fertile fields. You give back what you have received tenfold."
August von Kotzebue (more at Gratitude Quotes)
For example, be grateful that you have a secure job, a roof over your head and good friends, or that you are healthy. Contentment takes pressure off and provides balance.
2. optimism
Do you perceive it as positive when someone badmouths everything and everyone and looks for the fly in the ointment everywhere? That would be very unusual. A positive character, on the other hand, is to think positively - not in every moment, but in most.
"The true optimists are not convinced that everything will go well. But they are convinced that not everything will go wrong."
Friedrich Schiller (more at Optimism Quotes)
A good person therefore thinks optimistically, appreciates the beautiful sides of life and always tries to see the good even in unpleasant situations - regardless of whether it affects himself or others.
Tip: Did you know that optimism also has a downside that can hurt other people? More about the so-called toxic positivity you can read in the linked article.
3. politeness
Good people are rarely boorish, dismissive or mean. Rather, they represent a peaceful, level-headed, appreciative and considerate manner that expresses respect for others. At all times - and even in moments of high stress.
"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
Mark Twain (more at Friendship Quotes)
People remember polite people - for example, because they paid an unexpected compliment or because they held the door open for you. People who are considered polite are also generally considered to have good manners and honesty. These are definitely positive character traits that we want from all the people we meet in our lives.
4. compassion
While difficult people usually think indifferently only about themselves and actually always expect personal profit in everyday situations, you can recognize good people by the fact that they are emphatic. And not only towards other people, but also towards animals. Compassionate people can put themselves in the shoes of others very well and immediately look for solutions to problems.
"The greatest people are those, Who can give hope to others."
Jean Jaurès (Empathy Quotes)
When we attribute a unique or good character to someone, it is usually a harmony-seeking, kind-hearted person who is always concerned about fairness and is also able to forgive others. Above all, this person reaches out to help others when they are in trouble, rather than standing idly by.
5. patience
From people with a good character, you will rarely feel stressed and pressured. On the contrary, they can put themselves in the shoes of others very well and know that you can reach your goal if you show patience and perseverance.
"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts."
Albert Einstein (more under Patience Quotes)
Perseverance and empathy characterize them. They know that mistakes are perfectly okay and that you just must not lose sight of the goal. And so you can expect good-hearted people to believe in other people's intentions as well and to be supportive.
6. balance
An extremely positive trait is to radiate calmness and composure - even in unpleasant or stressful moments. A trait that can nip disputes in the bud, for example.
"Calmness is the graceful form of confidence."
Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (more at Serenity Quotes)
These, especially on a strengthened self-confidence This calming, reassuring quality of character is transferred to your counterpart and therefore appears extremely likeable. Quite the opposite of a hectic, stressed, insecure person.
7. sense of responsibility
People who tend to have a bad character usually think of themselves. They often have an egocentric view of the world and are out for their advantage in all conceivable situations. The consequences of their own actions for the environment or others play an absolutely subordinate role.
"What we do today will determine what the world looks like tomorrow."
Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (more at Environmental protection quotes)
A fine character trait is to act preferentially in solidarity for the common good. Good people are able to look ahead, to anticipate possible consequences of their actions for others, to show consideration accordingly and to adapt. They take responsibility, have a good heart and want to solve problems instead of creating them.
8. reliability
Surely you can immediately think of someone you consider unreliable. This person is usually significantly late for appointments or even cancels them spontaneously. They are inconsiderate, careless and relatively weak-willed - so that you lose sympathy for them over time.
"You only learn to appreciate your own reliability when you have to rely on others."
Mariano Rumor
On the other hand, you like to have the reliable people from your personal environment close by. You can rely on them - on good days and bad. Values such as loyalty and trust are important to them - and that gives you a pleasant, secure feeling.
9. helpfulness
We tend to assign attributes such as mistrust, skepticism, stubbornness and a certain "don't care" attitude to bad people. They usually only show willingness to help when they themselves could benefit from it in some way.
"It is ever true that he who does nothing for others, does nothing for himself."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (more at Helpfulness Quotes)
A good person, on the other hand, often acts very selflessly and senses exactly when someone needs help - whether human or animal. He knows what the right thing to do is and that he would want others to act in an equally selfless, supportive way if he were in a comparably unpleasant situation. Helpful individuals like the feeling of sharing something with others. They are generous - whether with their money or their time - and do so without expecting anything in return.
Tip: Under help other people I have some inspiring ideas for more helpfulness in everyday life ready for you.
10. attention
Do you know a person who is a poor listener and often misses moments when help would have been appropriate? That rather speaks for a less desirable character trait. After all, as a result, we often feel unheard and not taken seriously.
"Happiness often comes from attention to small things, misfortune often from neglecting little things."
Wilhelm Busch (more under Mindfulness Quotes)
A positive character trait, on the other hand, is to be interested in the things that other people tell. A good person listens actively and remembers what is told even weeks or months later. Why? Because conversations and relationships are particularly important to them.
11. cordiality
There is nothing wrong with being cool, introverted, inhibited, or simply reserved. Coldness of feeling and disinterest, on the other hand, are definitely characteristics that most of us would probably assign to a bad person.
"Finding people who feel for and with us is probably the greatest happiness on earth."
Carl Spitteler (more at Happiness Quotes)
On the other hand, one of the much more positive character traits is showing interest in other people's lives. Good people are good at making friends and maintaining friendships. They like to laugh, are warm, friendly, humorous and loving. They care about their own well-being, of course, but especially about the well-being of other people - so they prefer to ask open-ended questions to learn as much as possible about them.
12. authenticity
Some people are like a flag in the wind. They change their minds extremely quickly, are easily influenced, and may even be for sale. However, we strive for clarity and want to build friendships with people who are genuine and unbiased.
"It's dangerous to fool others because you end up fooling yourself."
Eleonora Duse (more at Honesty Quotes)
Being authentic is a very positive character trait - because authentic people are strong in character, charismatic, trustworthy and consistent in their actions. Acting and speaking go together. They remain true to themselves, speak their mind openly and honestly - and are still adaptable.
Tip: Have you ever heard of cognitive dissonance heard? The term describes an emotional state that is perceived as unpleasant and is caused by contradictory thoughts and behaviors. "I love animals, but eat them." is one such example. You can learn more about this in the linked articles.
13. modesty
To strive for something higher is a natural characteristic of us humans. However, being arrogant, greedy, power-hungry, always wanting more and bragging about materialistic things is one of the rather unsympathetic and negative traits.
"Modesty is the beginning of all reason."
Ludwig Anzengruber (more at Modesty Quotes)
Humble people also strive for success, but do not flaunt it when they have achieved their goals. Their goal is also not "higher-faster-further", but satisfaction and well-being. They live rather minimalist, are unobtrusive and frugal - and focus on the things that really matter.
14. openness
Change is often very difficult for us humans - especially to those of us who are narrow-minded, prejudiced, conservative, and simply not open, or not very open, to the new or unusual.
"Openness is a key that can open many doors."
Ernst Ferstl (more at Tolerance Quotes)
People of good character respect and accept all people as they are - knowing that you don't have to like everyone. They know their weaknesses, listen to other views and opinions, and are flexible, honest, and open to adjusting their own beliefs when it makes sense. Simply because they want to learn from mistakes and grow personally.
Positive character traits are identifying features of a good person
Was ist also ein guter Mensch? Er bringt eine Vielfalt an positiven Charakterzügen mit sich. Ein guter Mensch ist dankbar für die Dinge und Menschen, die er in seinem Leben hat.
Er denkt positiv, ist freundlich, mitfühlend, geduldig und entspannt. Ihn zeichnet außerdem aus, dass er Verantwortung für sein Handeln übernimmt, dass er, zuverlässig, hilfsbereit, aufmerksam, herzlich-echt, authentisch, bescheiden und weltoffen ist.
However, a person of good character also knows that only through good deeds for the benefit of others or for the benefit of nature is considered as such.
I hope that I have been able to help you with this list of what I consider to be the most important, human, positive character traits. Do you have any questions, tips or can you think of other characteristics of good people? Then I look forward to your comments.
Stay positive,
PS: Im Laufe des Lebens verändert sich unser Charakter. Manchmal zum Negativen und ohne, dass wir es merken. Der Charakter von Kindern ist jedoch meist echt und unverfälscht. What we adults can learn from childrenYou can learn more about this now in the linked article. Have fun!
Source reference:
- Cornelsen Verlag GmbH: Charakter, abrufbar unter https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Charakter. [15.03.2024]. ↩︎
Great & detailed post with many true words!
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