What does it mean to be a “good person”? 

Are you a good person? Am I? 

How can we know? 

If you ever find yourself asking these questions, it’s already a good sign. It means you’re willing to self-analyse. 

People who self-analyse self-correct. And people who self-correct never stop improving and flourishing. 

Society values all types of people. We need cut-throat capitalists to keep the economy flowing. We need doctors, we need prosecutors, and we need people with incredible work ethics. 

But what we really value most of all, especially in our personal lives, are those really good people. 

Let’s dive into what constitutes a genuinely good person and how to know when you’re dealing with one. 

Did somebody say “virtue”?

1) Virtue — not just signaling

Many scholars believe that virtues play a crucial role in human psychology and behavior. 

Psychologists have started to study these claims, but there are still challenges in how we understand and study virtues. 

Sometimes science lags behind on things other philosophies have been aware of for centuries — even millennia. 

While it might be a fairly new field in psychological research, virtue has been the topic of every world religion for thousands of years. 

Being genuinely virtuous goes beyond simply playing by the rules or societal norms. It’s about doing the right thing, even when it’s unpopular. 

These days, we see more virtue signaling than actual virtue. 

When people do good things, they don’t get anything out of it unless it’s announced with bells and trumpets. 

While it might be nice that they give to charity, the intention that lies at the bottom of it is less pretty. 

It doesn’t come from a place of real altruism. 

2) Altruism: The gift of selfless giving

You know you’re dealing with a genuinely good person if you see that they behave altruistically and it’s effortless for them. 

It’s like they don’t have to try or force themselves to help others — it’s just the most natural thing for them to do.

Our society glorifies self-interest and individuality, and genuine altruism stands out — it’s getting rarer. 

It’s sad but it’s true.. 

Psychologists suggest that altruism stems from a deep-seated sense of empathy and compassion for others, a trait that’s becoming increasingly rare in today’s self-focused society.

While reciprocity may drive many acts of kindness, genuine altruism goes beyond mere exchange. It’s the type of kindness that doesn’t expect something in return. 

“Kindness is the ability to know what the right thing to do is and having the courage to do it, even if it may not be the popular choice.” — Immanuel Kant

3) Humility — knowing yourself without obsessing 

In recent years, psychology researchers have started taking a deep dive into studying humility. 

The first problem they ran into, was they couldn’t really define what it is. 

I think C.S. Lewis has a pretty good definition. 

He says “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”

It doesn’t take much to see we’re living in an extremely self-focused world and humility is getting harder to come by. 

You only need to scroll on your social media for about ten seconds and you’ll see my point. 

While platforms like Instagram and Twitter encourage us to showcase our best selves to the world, genuine narcissism often flourishes as a result.

I’m not just making this up either. It’s a well-established psychological fact that social media is strongly linked with narcissism. 

That’s why when we come across true humility, it can really make an impact on us. 

But does it just mean putting yourself down? No.

Contrary to popular belief, humility isn’t about putting yourself down or diminishing your accomplishments — it’s about acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses with honesty and grace. 

4) Honest lips

Honesty can sometimes feel like a rare commodity, genuine truth-telling stands out nowadays.

While telling the truth may not always be easy or comfortable, it’s essential for living a fulfilling and authentic life. 

Honesty fosters trust and connection in our relationships. It, lets us build meaningful connections based on mutual respect and understanding.

The truth might not always feel nice, but you know what does? 

Having a friend or family member whose words you know you can trust? 

Despite the short-term discomfort that honesty may bring, its long-term benefits are undeniable. 

You know you’re dealing with a truly honest person when you see that they’re okay with saying the truth even when it’s difficult for them. 

5) Strong values

Ever encountered someone whose actions always seem to align with their principles? 

That’s the power of genuine values.

Moral relativism and ethical ambiguity seem to be growing in our world. 

You often hear people saying things like “It’s okay if it’s okay for you,” “Good and evil are just two sides of the same coin” or “It feels good to embrace your dark side.” 

While that’s all great, it’s nice to have people who have a clear idea of right and wrong that they’re not afraid to live by. 

You can trust those people to be solid. 

They don’t make iffy decisions based on murky values.

It’s precisely those types of people who you know won’t hesitate to make sacrifices for people they love.

6)  Making sacrifices 

Have you ever witnessed someone go above and beyond to help a loved one in need? 

That’s the essence of genuine sacrifice.

Whether it’s giving up time, resources, or personal ambitions, making sacrifices for those we care about demonstrates a commitment to their happiness.

But genuine sacrifice isn’t just about giving something up — it’s about doing it willingly. 

Without expecting anything in return. 

Genuine sacrifice is the heartbeat of meaningful connections.

7) Refuses gossip

Gossiping about others is like planting weeds in the garden of trust and friendship. I’ve learned this the hard way. 

When I’ve engaged in gossip, I’ve felt the weight of betrayal on my conscience. I realized that talking about people behind their backs tarnished my integrity and relationships.

Integrity means holding back from those juicy tidbits about others’ personal lives. 

It’s about respecting their privacy and their right to dignity, knowing they deserve kindness and respect.

I’ve come to see that genuine goodness lies in uplifting and supporting others, rather than tearing them down behind their backs. 

When I resist the temptation to indulge in gossip, I feel much better about myself. And whenever I slip, I feel guilty. 

8) Not a judge

Being judgmental means you put yourself above people. 

What gives anyone the right to judge another person? 

Negative judgments often stem from a lack of understanding, and walking a mile in the other person’s shoes would change that. 

Being judgmental builds walls instead of bridges in our relationships — I’ve experienced this firsthand. 

When I’ve been quick to judge others, I’ve noticed how it creates distance and divides us. I always feel bad about it after. 

What gives me the right? Am I perfect?

Certainly not.

I’ve come to realize that genuine goodness lies in embracing people and accepting them for who they are. 

When I let go of judgment, I felt an incredible weight lifting. 

9) Constant self-improvement

It’s tough to look at yourself and identify things you don’t like or might want to change. 

This leads many of us to stagnate and stop growing. 

Not everyone’s like that. 

It’s really worthy of respect when people constantly look for ways to improve themselves. The ability to do that continuously is nothing to smirk at. 

It means their inner humility lets them take an honest look at themselves and continue improving. 

You can be sure someone who continually works on self-improvement ends up with some serious virtues in their personality artillery.

Last thoughts

When we analyze our actions and motivations, we open the door to self-correction and growth. 

This continuous process of self-improvement is what sets genuinely good people apart.

While society values various traits and professions, what we cherish most are those who embody genuine goodness. 

These individuals go beyond societal norms, showing virtues like altruism, humility, honesty, and a strong sense of values.

When you see one or more of these qualities in a person — and it’s genuine — you know you’re dealing with a really good person. 

Keep them around!