34 Qualities of a Good Person & BIG Benefits of Being a Nice Human Being

With so many different personality types, it seems hard to figure out who’s good and who isn’t. This list of good qualities of a person will help.

Growing up, teachers and parents would tell us that we needed to be good people. As kids, we just nodded in agreement. No one really understood what having good qualities of a person meant.

Does walking your dog every day or cleaning your room make you a good person?

You might think the answer to this question is easy, but it’s not. It takes people years to understand what the good qualities of a person really are and even longer to practice them!

[Read: How to be a good person – small changes to transform your world forever]

What are positive qualities?

If you have positive qualities, you simply have some personality traits and characteristics that are recognized as being good. Maybe you’re generally kind to those around you, or perhaps you volunteer when you have free time.

Positive and good qualities of a person come in all sizes and take varying amounts of effort. They are traits and strengths that make up who you are and help you in some way.

30 must-know good qualities of a person

It’s a lot easier to let someone else do the things that good people do while you reap the benefits. But at the end of the day, people only see you as selfish and needy. Honestly, no one likes those traits. Those are qualities of negative people. [Read: How to tell if you’re a bad person]

But if you’re looking to improve yourself, you’ve come to the right place. It’s time that you learned the good qualities of a person. Of course, it will require practice and time to become a better person, but we know it’s something you want.

It’s time to become a better human.

1. They don’t take things for granted

It’s easy to take things around you for granted, but a person with good qualities is grateful for what’s given to them.

Unfortunately, it’s human nature to take things for granted from the food on the table to the roof over their heads. We just assume it’s all going to stay the same, but the only constant in life is change.

A good person doesn’t take anything for granted because they know that anything or anyone can be gone in a second. [Read: How to be grateful – 20 ways to appreciate and express gratitude]

2. They’re thoughtful of others

It’s easy to think about yourself and your needs without considering other people and their needs.

Someone with good qualities of a person goes out of their way to do acts of kindness for others. You might drive your grandma to the doctor’s office or buy your mom a carton of milk. Maybe you consistently hold the door open for others or make a point to ask cashiers, baristas, and bank tellers how their day is going. Small acts go a long way.

3. They’re empathetic

Being empathetic shows that you’re able to practice compassion. [Read: 16 ways to be more empathetic]

Those who have good qualities of a person understand the people around them. They are masters of empathy and knowing how to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. They understand that life is difficult and full of hard times.

A good person sees life not only from their own perspective but everyone else’s, too.

4. They aren’t afraid to smile

The world is full of bad things, but that doesn’t mean you need to keep a frown. [Read: 17 secrets to smiling more and feeling great]

People who show good qualities of a person aren’t afraid to smile, even through hard times. One smile can go a long way, so show off those pearly whites. Everyone wants to be in a good person’s presence because they feel amazing when they are.

5. They use their manners

Without manners, it’s easy to come across as disrespectful and rude, and those are not qualities of a good person. Good people not only do kind gestures for other people, but they also do little things to show that they have manners.

They always say please and thank you, display basic table manners, and hold doors open for people. These are small, often unrecognized things, but manners show tact, class, and respect. [Read: 20 classy people traits that command respect and awe]

6. They’re loyal

This one is a biggie in the list of good qualities of a person. A good person is a loyal person. Whether it’s to your family, friends, or partner, being loyal is crucial. Loyalty is a great quality to have and shapes how people see you.

Trust is everything in a relationship. If someone isn’t loyal, then you can’t trust them. [Read: What it takes to be loyal and build trust]

7. They find the good in every situation

A person with good qualities is someone who finds the silver lining in everything, even when it looks like there’s no hope.

There are optimists and pessimists in life. The glass is either half full or half empty. Optimists are so much more fun to be around. They see the good in everything, and they don’t make you depressed like pessimists tend to do. [Read: 24 steps to a happy & dramatic positive life shift]

8. They forgive

Forgiveness is something you do not only for others but for yourself, too. Good people realize that everyone makes mistakes, and they don’t hold grudges when other people mess up. [Read: How to forgive someone – 15 positive ways to unburden your mind]

Forgiving others and yourself isn’t easy. In fact, it’s probably one of the hardest things you can do.

By forgiving, you’re essentially accepting the situation and deciding to move on. Many of us struggle to move on and let go, which is what leaves us feeling bitter and angry.

9. They’re good listeners

Actively listening can be hard when there are so many other things occupying space in your head. Good people know when they should put their needs aside and give a friend or family member their full attention. Be a good listener, and it’ll change your life. [Read: Improve your relationships – 19 ways to be a much better listener]

Those with the qualities of a good person genuinely care about what other people are saying and show it. Others can count on them if they ever need someone to lean on.

10. They praise others for their accomplishments

Most of us have experienced jealousy rearing its ugly head in our lives. Being a good person is about praising people around you who are accomplishing goals and improving their lives rather than being envious.

It’s hard to put your ego aside, but when it comes to other people moving forward, good people will praise them and genuinely mean it. [Read: 17 signs of a supportive partner who encourages you & your goals

A good person always hopes that others have good fortune in their lives, and they never cease to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments.

11. They take responsibility for their actions

People with good qualities of a person acknowledge their actions when they make a mistake. It’s not easy to do, but when you acknowledge the mistakes you make, people respect you more.

Good people don’t blame others and don’t play the victim. They have matured to the point of being able to be honest with themselves and others when they’ve made a mistake. [Read: 15 mature ways to grow up and behave like an adult]

12. They’re honest

Honesty is the basic foundation of being wholehearted and good. It’s something that all healthy relationships are built upon.

Lying to others is not one of the good qualities of a person. You don’t need to be brutally honest, but you must speak the truth. It’s not always easy to be honest because we don’t want to hurt other people’s feelings or because we are ashamed of something we did.

It’s important because it shows that you can be trusted. [Read: Open up & overcome your fear of trusting others]

13. They’re lifelong learners

Learning doesn’t stop with school. It continues until the day we die. People with good qualities of a person are dedicated to learning every day, whether it’s about the world, themselves, or others.

One of the biggest things that good people learn from is their mistakes. They can look back at their lives and see what they did wrong and what they would do differently. It takes a special person to be humble and admit that they could have done better in any given situation.

14. They’re self-aware

Self-awareness is about knowing your strengths and weaknesses. How can you become a better person when you aren’t aware of yours?

If you want to improve, you need to know the problems you face so that you can work to solve them. Many people are either incapable of doing that, or they simply don’t even try because they are scared of their problems. Good people know every inch of themselves and are proud that they do. [Read: How to get to know yourself and reveal your life’s true passion]

15. They’re consistent

Consistency is crucial and builds strong relationships between you and the people you love. People with good qualities know that if they are inconsistent with their words and actions, it hurts other people.

Consistency requires empathy, honesty, and loyalty. The best friends are dependable, and you always know what to expect at any given moment. [Read: How to be a good friend – 49 traits that define a real pal

16. They’re patient

Someone with good qualities of a person has patience with themselves and others. They don’t allow their annoyance to flare over things that they can’t control.

A patient person doesn’t get irritated by the woman in line using coupons and price matching to save money. They don’t get angry when their new co-worker is having a hard time picking up on a certain task.

Patient people show self-control, understanding, and inner peace.

17. They show interest in others

A good person knows that they are not the center of the universe. They realize that other people are just as important as they are, so they treat them with kindness and thoughtfulness. [Read: How to be kind to yourself and others and love life instead of hating it]

They show an active interest in their friends and family by remembering to ask how their job interview went or if they’re feeling good about an upcoming test. Showing interest means showing that you pay attention and care about what they say and what’s going on in their lives.

18. They show gratitude

Having gratitude is a state of being that you choose. Someone with good qualities of a person shows gratitude by being content with their life. They are happy for every day that they’re given, even when nothing grand happens.

Gratitude is living with a good attitude and being able to freely show thankfulness. [Read: The best ways to express appreciation and show gratitude]

19. They easily make friends

If you have good qualities of a person, you’re likely to attract a lot of people. Good people tend to have a positive demeanor and a magnetic personality.

Since we usually end up becoming like those that we’re friends with, we generally want to be friends with someone that we admire and can look up to. If you consider the qualities of someone that you’re friends with, you definitely want some of these to be on that list.

20. They’re humble

Having good qualities of a person means that you make efforts to stay humble. To be humble means to never boast about your accomplishments, regard yourself too highly, or judge others too harshly.

A truly humble person recognizes that they have faults. They don’t expect to be the best, and they focus more on dealing with their own flaws than judging the flaws of others. [Read: How to be less critical – 15 ways to stop judging]

A humble person is a good person because they don’t regard themselves as better than anyone else, and they treat everyone as kindly as they wish to be treated.

21. They display integrity

To have integrity is to have one of the best good qualities of a person. Integrity means that you have a strong code of decent morals. You know without a doubt what is right and wrong, and you aren’t going to sway from it.

Integrity is being honest, having virtues, and being someone that people can rely on to do good. If you have integrity, you aren’t afraid to take responsibility for your mistakes. You don’t blame others or let them be held accountable for your shortcomings.

22. They’re accepting

Being accepting is an important quality in a good person. To be accepting is to not pass judgment. You regard everyone with an open mind, not with fear, hostility, or prejudice. [Read: How to open up and make true friends]

Acceptance means that you stand outside of how you think things should be and acknowledge that things are the way they are. You don’t look harshly at ways of life that differ from yours or turn away from different types of people. You approach every situation and person with the same amount of respect.

23. They own their flaws

A good person is content with themselves.

They recognize that they are not perfect and that perfection is unattainable, but they know what their flaws are and consistently seek to make improvements. [Read: 16 powerful secrets of self-improvement]

A good person might be instinctively quick to anger, but they understand this about themselves and have chosen to practice meditation to help.

They might be consistently late to everything, but they’re making conscious efforts to rectify it by setting their clocks ahead by 20 minutes or actively avoiding scrolling social media in the mornings.

24. They show fairness

Fairness is important in the good qualities of a person. Showing fairness means that you don’t show bias.

You’re able to make decisions with impartial judgment, and you don’t play favorites. You believe in the greater good more than the good for you. Being fair is looking at everything without discrimination.

For example, teachers might want to give their favorite students better grades, but they choose to grade based on the quality of work rather than their favoritism toward the student. A referee might want to make unfair calls during a football game because they prefer one team over the other, but they do their job for the integrity of the game instead.

25. They’re selfless

Considering other people’s needs before your own isn’t easy to do. We are naturally selfish as human beings, but showing selflessness is one of the major good qualities of a person. [Read: 20 ways to stop being selfish and hurting others]

It doesn’t have to mean that you disregard yourself completely. Showing consideration for others despite your feelings or needs can come in small doses.

At the grocery store, you can let the person with two items check out in front of you, even if you’ve already been waiting for a while. If you use public transportation, you could give up your seat for someone else.

26. They’re authentic

A good person is true to themselves. They know who they are and what they stand for, and they are unflinchingly rigid about those things.

If you know an authentic person, you never have to doubt them because they’ve shown you time and time again what sort of person they are. They keep the same personality and values despite any pressure to do otherwise. [Read: How to be true to yourself – 26 steps to love being you]

27. They remember what you say

Remembering little details is one of the simplest good qualities of a person. If you actively listen when people are talking to you, showing them that you hear them is essentially showing them that you really care about what they’ve said.

Sometimes, you can even couple this with some of the other good qualities of a person. Maybe your dad mentioned that he tried a new flavor of Oreos and loved it, so you pick some up for him the next time you’re at the grocery store.

Picking up on both little and big things and bringing them back later on shows that you’re considerate of others and that you care for them.

28. They’re nice to themselves

People with the qualities of a good person really can’t be that good to others if they aren’t good to themselves. It goes right along with how it’s said that you can’t love someone until you love yourself and that you should always treat people how you want to be treated.

Being nice to yourself sets the standard and acts as an example of how you want to be treated. If you aren’t good to yourself, no one else will be. [Read: How to focus on yourself – 27 ways to build your own sunshine]

29. They call their loved ones regularly

Keeping in touch and having close relationships with family and friends is a sure sign of being a good person. Cultivating and nurturing healthy relationships is hard work! Maintaining the connection that you have with the people that you love requires time, effort, and dedication.

Having a strong focus on family and loved ones is one of the good qualities of a person and can really go a long way to show that those people mean something to you. [Read: What it means to love your parents and be family-oriented]

The benefits of having good qualities of a person

Being a good person benefits you and those around you. A good person who possesses some of the listed qualities definitely finds it easier to relate to people and create positive relationships. Doing and being good also has several other benefits, too.

1. It lowers blood pressure

Acts of kindness have been proven to be linked to the release of oxytocin, a hormone that helps release chemicals that expand your blood vessels and lower your blood pressure. It can be said that being kind not only helps your heart emotionally but physically, too.

2. It increases energy

Doing good things for others can instantly make you feel great. That’s because it releases endorphins, just like exercise does, and gives you an instant boost, often referred to as “helper’s high.”

3. Good qualities of a person boost happiness

In the same way that doing good things can boost your energy, it can also just make you feel happier. It always feels good to do something nice for somebody else or even yourself. When you feel more satisfied, your serotonin levels increase, and your overall well-being improves. [Read: Hacks to find real happiness instantly

4. It improves mental health

Showing kindness to others has been proven to decrease signs of anxiety and increase your positive moods and feelings. Simple things, like actively practicing gratitude, can have long-lasting effects of positively changing your mindset.

5. It helps you earn genuine friends

Good people are positive people. It’s no fun to be around a “Debbie Downer.” Everyone wants to be happy and feel uplifted, and being around good, happy, and uplifting people will make you feel those things, too.

Being a good person doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a constant project. Sometimes, it’s hard to know what it takes to be a good person or even the qualities of a good person, but use these tips to transform yourself into a better person with each passing day.