Common themes in lists of character traits, derived from core values
The character traits that comprise "good character" or "strong character" vary, depending on the source list.
However, character traits lists tend to include a core set of character traits on the list that come from the core
values most organizations, religions, and cultures can agree upon.
Talking with Trees' list of character traits for character education:
Common core values extracted from several lists of character traits:
Honesty
Respect
Responsibility
Fairness
Compassion/forgiveness
Character Counts!* list of character traits, or Six Pillars of Character*:
Trustworthiness (includes honesty)
Respect
Responsibility
Fairness
Caring (includes compassion and forgiveness)
Citizenship
US Department of Education, list of character traits necessary to be a responsible
citizen:
Compassion
Honesty and fairness
Good judgment
Respect for others
Self-respect
Courage
Responsibility
Citizenship and patriotism
Core values from US Constitutional Democracy
These are the core values the Founding Fathers looked to as they structured the US Democracy. These core
values are what American society was built on. We derive many of our lists of positive character traits from this
foundation of core values.
Life
Liberty
The pursuit of happiness (includes respecting other's rights to pursue happiness in their own way)
Common good (includes acceptance of responsibility for the welfare of the community)
Justice (includes fairness)
Equality (includes fairness)
Diversity
Truth (includes honesty in all its aspects)
Popular sovereignty
Patriotism
Thanks to PBS for information on these core values.
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