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?"