There’s always been a debate on what makes a person truly good. Is it their actions, their words, or the effort they put into being nice?

At its core, being a good person isn’t about trying hard, it’s about being authentic. Genuine acts of kindness and honesty aren’t forced, they flow naturally.

If someone is truly a good person, certain actions come to them as easily as breathing. Let’s explore what these natural inclinations might look like.

1) Genuine kindness

The heart of a good person is often characterized by their kind tendencies.

Being truly kind extends beyond just being nice. It’s about being considerate and respectful to everyone around you, regardless of how they treat you. This often means putting others before yourself, thinking about how your actions might affect others and consistently striving to help others in any way you can.

True kindness is not dependent on reciprocation. A good person doesn’t perform kind acts for praise or reward. Instead, they do so simply because they believe it’s the right thing to do.

Acting with genuine kindness, without expecting anything in return, is not something people can fake for long. It comes naturally to a good person, shining through their actions and making everyone around them feel valued and respected.

2) Honesty

Let’s talk about honesty. I firmly believe that being a good person resonates with being honest in all facets of life.

For example, I remember being rushed one morning and accidently taking my roommate’s newly bought muffin. I knew they were excited to eat it for breakfast. They had spoken about trying this new flavor before they went to bed. Peeled off the receipt sticker, placed it meticulously in the front of the fridge – there was anticipation in their voice.

When I realized what had happened, I was already in a meeting at work. I could have easily replaced the muffin without them knowing. But being honest was more important. I felt it was only right to confess to what had happened – so I sent them a text.

They appreciated me owning up to the mistake. What I discovered that day was that honesty, however simple or complicated, leads to trust, and being trusted is a core characteristic of a good person.

It’s these small acts of honesty that add up in the long run. They come naturally to a genuinely good person – they are part of their essence. They recognize the value in being transparent with others and take the high road, even when lying would be easier.

3) Empathy

Empathy is a key characteristic of a good person. It’s this ability to understand and share the feelings of others that sets good people apart.

David Hume, the famous philosopher, believed that empathy, or as he defined it, ‘sympathy’, is what binds societies together. To him, the understanding and mutual correspondences of emotions and sentiments was the glue that brings about human closeness and community.

Sometimes empathy means feeling the joy of others, sometimes it means sharing in their sorrow. Regardless, it’s about connecting with people on a profound level, making their experiences your own.

Good people have a high level of empathy. Hearing a sad news story might bring them to tears. They can’t help it – that’s just how they’re wired. It comes as naturally to them as breathing. It’s hard not to admire such a deeply human trait.

4) Accountability

A truly good person knows the value of being accountable for their actions. They believe in carrying their own weight and hold themselves responsible if they falter or make a mistake.

Accountability circles back to being honest with oneself. If they’ve done something wrong, they don’t shy away from owning it. They confront it head-on, even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable. These individuals believe in learning from their mistakes rather than covering them up.

Moreover, they don’t pass the blame onto others. They understand that it’s not right to let someone else take the hit for their errors.

Accountability might seem like a heavy responsibility, but for someone who is truly good, it’s just second nature. They instinctively know it’s the right thing to do, and they go on doing it, no matter what.

5) Compassion

Compassion, the raw ability to feel for others in distress and a deep desire to alleviate their suffering, truly embodies goodness in a person.

This characteristic is often seen in small everyday acts. A good person may be the one who stops to help a stranger pick up groceries spilled onto the pavement. Or they might be the friend who stays on the phone with you late at night, just listening when you need to talk.

This compassion extends to all beings, not just humans. Good people often find a soft spot in their hearts for animals and show concern for the planet. They understand that all life is interconnected and deserves respect and care.

Compassion is soulful and heartfelt. It’s a warm comforting hug when you most need it and a soothing balm for the most complex of problems. Good people have this innate ability to care deeply for those around them, and for them, compassion isn’t a choice; it’s a way of life.

6) Forgiveness

Who among us hasn’t stumbled and made a mistake? And who hasn’t felt the relief when offered forgiveness in those difficult moments?

There was a time when a close friend deeply hurt my feelings. They didn’t seem to realize the impact of their words, but I was devastated. Bitterness and resentment had begun to seep into my heart, straining our relationship.

But one day, it struck me – holding onto that anger was causing me more harm than anyone else. So, I decided to forgive my friend. It wasn’t easy. Forgiveness, in this case, did not mean forgetting or rationalizing the harmful act but meant releasing the hold it had on me.

Being a good person often means being able to offer forgiveness, not just to others but to oneself too. It’s an act of understanding and grace that heals wounds and mends relationships. This intrinsic quality comes from a place of empathy and compassion and is a natural response for those who are truly good at heart.

7) Open-mindedness

Meeting new people, encountering different cultures, or facing unique situations, a truly good person embraces them all with an open mind.

Open-mindedness is the willingness to consider and accept different perspectives and experiences. It’s about being flexible, adaptable, and understanding that there’s always room to learn and grow.

Good people appreciate diversity and respect contrasting views without being judgmental. They listen with genuine interest and express their thoughts considerately. They’re not afraid to challenge their own beliefs and change them when presented with substantive reasons.

This openness to life and all its varied experiences is not a learned behavior for good people, it’s simply a part of who they are and how they operate in the world.

8) Integrity

Integrity, the virtue of doing right by oneself and others, regardless of the circumstances, is at the heart of being a good person. It’s about standing firm in one’s ethical and moral values, even when no one is watching.

Good people with integrity do not compromise their principles for personal gain or convenience. They keep their promises, speak truthfully, and are genuine in their actions.

They navigate life with a moral compass that guides their decisions and conduct. For them, integrity is not an afterthought; it is an essential way of life. They show us even through the toughest of times, how important it is to stay true to oneself, embodying what it genuinely means to be a good person.

Heart of the matter: Its innate nature

Human beings are fascinatingly complex and this complexity extends to the arena of goodness as well. While societal norms and personal experiences temper our behavior, much of what makes a person truly good often goes deeper than that.

In his book “The Descent of Man”, Charles Darwin suggested that our human ancestors who were most socially inclined, demonstrating qualities such as compassion and loyalty, had the highest chances of survival. So, these traits became embedded into human nature over time through the process of natural selection.

This implies that our inclination to be truly good, to act out of kindness and empathy, to show accountability, and to have integrity, might actually be an innate part of our human makeup. It’s not something that’s merely donned like a mask or practiced like an art – it’s woven into our very essence.

And that’s what makes it come naturally to good people. Their goodness is not calculated or contrived; it simply is. Reflecting on this innate nature of goodness invites us to understand and appreciate it. It inspires us to cherish the goodness in ourselves and others, recognising it as a profound expression of our shared humanity.