Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Universal Character Strengths

A group of scholars went through the published works of the various major cultures and identified a set of universally recognized character strengths.

Wisdom and Knowledge
  • Creativity: originality, ingenuity
  • Curiosity: interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience
  • Open mindedness: judgment, critical thinking
  • Love of learning
  • Perspective: wisdom

Courage
  • Bravery: valor
  • Persistence: perseverance, industriousness
  • Integrity: authenticity, honesty
  • Vitality: zest, enthusiasm, vigor, energy

Humanity
  • Love
  • Kindness: generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love, "niceness"
  • Social Intelligence: emotional intelligence, personal intelligence

Justice
  • Citizenship: social responsibility, loyalty, teamwork
  • Fairness
  • Leadership

Temperance
  • Forgiveness and Mercy
  • Humility and Modesty
  • Prudence
  • Self-Regulation: self-control

Transcendence

  • Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence: awe, wonder, elevation
  • Gratitude
  • Hope: optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation
  • Humor: playfulness
  • Spirituality: religiousness, faith, purpose
I ask myself, "Which of these am I doing truly badly at?" and "Which of these am I doing very well at?"

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