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What defines a good person? What are the common characteristics they share in each person's mind? To be a good person, someone cannot be rude and selfish. It's about being considerate, having respect for others and basically being there when needed for whatever reason. There are other characteristics, but they aren't the main ones.

Considerate:

If a person is considerate, they will be mindful of other's feelings. In particular, they will be mindful of their friend's feelings. Why is it a good quality? It is a good quality because nearly everyone has been on the receiving end of a bad joke that went on too long at least once in their life. It means that a considerate person should be able to tell when enough is enough and when someone is feeling hurt. They won't do anything to make matters worse intentionally.

Reliable:

If a person is reliable, then it goes without saying they can be relied on. It's pretty self-explanatory why this is a characteristic of a good person. Essentially, if someone needs a favour doing and they've asked Reliable Person to help with it and they agree, they won't end up not showing or being hours late. If they can't make it, then they're most likely to let whomever it was they were to help know. This isn't something that inherently defines a good person though. It's something that helps, but isn't needed.

Not selfish:

A good person, while they might be a bit selfish part of the time and not want to do something, won't always be that way. It is human nature to be selfish at some point in our lives even if it's very rare, but it is also a part of human nature to help others when we don't stand to gain anything by it if we're that way inclined. Well, that is with the exception of continued friendship, though even that doesn't come into it sometimes.

Caring:

While someone may be not be the most fun to be around or in other words, be rather miserable and quiet, they can still be caring. This is one of the best characteristics of a good person. Why? If a person cares, then they are liable to be considerate, not mind helping others (most likely they'll volunteer) and above all, they won't put themselves first above all others most likely. Caring basically incorporates most of the other characteristics that make a good person into one.

Summary:

It's not necessary for a person to be happy or fun to be around for them to be a good person. It's necessary for them to not just think of themselves, be willing to help others and above all, care. It should be stressed though that a good person isn't just someone that lets others walk right over them.

Learn more about this author, Dan Cartwright.
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