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Positive character Traits - Important Characteristics of a Good Person

Positive Character Traits - 14 Desirable Characteristics of a Good Person

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 will now 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 definition: What is character and how do you define a good person?

Different characteristics of people

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 designate. In our everyday lives, we often make moral judgments about others, for example by labeling them as having a 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 of why a Unambiguous, universally valid definition impossible is. So we have to try something else!

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?

Gratitude is a very positive quality of a person

Defining a good character or a good person may seem impossible. However, you can define a recognize good people by positive character traits. As promised, I would now like to introduce you to some of them.

1. gratitude

Being arrogant and inconsiderate, always wanting more and taking everything for granted tends to characterize a bad person. We have a much more positive perception of people who are grateful and appreciate 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 the pressure off and provides balance.

2. optimism

Do you see 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, includes thinking positively - not every time, but most of the time.

"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 thinks optimistically, appreciates the good things in life and always tries to see the good even in unpleasant situations - regardless of whether it affects them or others.

Tip: Did you know that optimism also has a downside that can hurt other people? More about the so-called Toxic positivity can be found in the linked article.

3. politeness

Good people are rarely boorish, dismissive or mean. Rather, they stand for a peaceful, level-headed, appreciative and considerate manner that expresses respect for others. At all times - 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)

Polite people are remembered - for example, because they gave you 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 be honest. These are definitely positive character traits that we want from all the people we meet in our lives.

4. compassion

Compassion as a desirable human character trait

While difficult people usually think indifferently only of themselves and always expect personal gain in everyday situations, you can recognize good people by the fact that they are emphatic. And not just towards other people, but also towards animals. Compassionate people are very good at putting themselves in the shoes of others and immediately look for solutions to problems.

"The greatest people are those, that can give others hope."

Jean Jaurès (Empathy Quotes)

If we attribute a unique or good character to someone, then it is usually a harmonious, kind-hearted person who is always concerned about fairness and is also able to forgive others. Above all, however, this person helps other people when they are in trouble instead of standing idly by.

5. patience

People with a good character will rarely make you feel stressed and under pressure. On the contrary: they are very good at putting themselves in other people's shoes and know that you will achieve 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)

They are characterized by perseverance and empathy. They know that mistakes are perfectly okay and that you just have to keep your eyes on the goal. And so you can expect kind-hearted people to believe in other people's intentions and support them.

6. balance

An extremely positive trait is to radiate calm and composure - even in unpleasant or stressful moments. A trait that can nip arguments in the bud, for example.

"Calmness is the graceful form of confidence."

Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (more at Serenity Quotes)

These, especially on a increased self-confidence This calming, reassuring character trait is transferred to your counterpart and therefore comes across as extremely likeable. Quite the opposite of a hectic, stressed, insecure person.

7. sense of responsibility

Responsible people with character

People who are considered to have a bad character usually think of themselves. They often have an egocentric view of the world and are out for their own advantage in every conceivable situation. 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)

In contrast, it is a fine character trait to prefer to act in solidarity for the common good. Good people are able to look ahead, anticipate possible consequences of their actions for others, show consideration and adapt accordingly. They take responsibility, have a good heart and want to solve problems rather than create them.

8. reliability

You can probably immediately think of someone you consider unreliable. This person is usually late for appointments or often cancels them spontaneously. They show no consideration, are careless and relatively weak-willed - so 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 reliable people from your personal environment close to you. You can rely on them - on good days and bad. Values such as faithfulness, loyalty and trust are important to them - and that also gives you a pleasant, secure feeling.

9. helpfulness

We tend to assign attributes such as mistrust, skepticism, stubbornness and a certain "indifferent attitude" to bad people. They usually only show a willingness to help if 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. They know what the right thing to do is and that they would want others to behave in an equally selfless, supportive manner if they were in a similarly unpleasant situation. Helpful people like the feeling of sharing something with others. They are generous - whether with their money or their time - without expecting anything in return.

Tip: Under help other people I have some inspiring ideas for more helpfulness in everyday life for you.

10. attention

Do you know someone who is a bad listener and often misses moments when help would have been appropriate? This tends to indicate 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 take an interest in what other people say. A good person listens actively and remembers what they are told even weeks or months later. Why? Because conversations and relationships are particularly important to them.

11. cordiality

Cordiality as a positive character trait of good people

It is not bad to be cool, introverted, inhibited or simply reserved. On the other hand, coldness and lack of interest are definitely characteristics that most of us would assign to a bad person.

"Finding people who feel and empathize for us is probably the most beautiful happiness on earth."

Carl Spitteler (more at Happiness quotes)

One of the much more positive character traits, on the other hand, is showing an 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. Of course, their own well-being is very important to them, but above all the well-being of other people - which is why they prefer to ask open questions in order to find out as much as possible about them.

12. authenticity

Some people are like flags in the wind. They change their minds extremely quickly, are easily influenced and can even be bought. 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 have a strong character, are 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 unpleasant emotional state caused by contradictory thoughts and behaviors. "I love animals, but eat them." is one such example. You can find out more about this in the linked articles.

13. modesty

Striving for higher things is a natural characteristic of us humans. However, being arrogant, greedy, power-hungry, always wanting more and boasting about materialistic things are among the more unappealing and negative traits.

"Modesty is the beginning of all reason."

Ludwig Anzengruber (more at Modesty Quotes)

Modest 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 minimalistare unobtrusive and frugal - and concentrate on the things that are really important.

14. openness

Openness is a characteristic of good people

Change is often very difficult for us humans - especially those of us who are narrow-minded, prejudiced, conservative and simply not or only slightly open to new or unusual things.

"Openness is a key that can open many doors."

Ernst Ferstl (more at Tolerance Quotes)

People of good character respect and accept all people for who they are - knowing full well 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 adapting their own beliefs when it makes sense. Simply because they want to learn from mistakes and develop 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 with good character also knows that only by 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,

Christoph from CareElite - Plastic-free living

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 now find out in the linked article. Have fun!

Source reference:

  1. Cornelsen Verlag GmbH: Charakter, abrufbar unter https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Charakter. [15.03.2024]. ↩︎
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Christoph Schulz

Christoph Schulz

I'm Christoph, an environmental scientist and author - and here at CareElite I'm campaigning against plastic waste in the environment, climate change and all the other major environmental problems of our time. Together with other environmentally conscious bloggers, I want to give you tips & tricks for a naturally healthy, sustainable life as well as your personal development.

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