The Traits We Value

What are the character traits you find admirable in a human being? I'm sure there is a list. We certainly admire integrity. The quality of compassion would likely be on that list. We do like bravery. Generosity is always a plus and, its overarching form -- selflessness. While we may admit a great lack of it if we're honest, honesty is really admirable, at least in others. And who doesn't like kindness, gentleness, humility ... you know, a lot of those biblically-listed things. There's something about a joyful person that just lifts your spirits. And, of course, being a loving person would rank up there very near the top.

I have only begun to list, but here's something that may be a little ... jolting to think about. Are you aware that almost all qualities that we admire require adversity to be valuable? Think about it. The character traits that we appreciate are only really worth anything when they are difficult to do.

Consider courage. Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the ability to face situations that cause fear. If there is no fear, there is no courage. One of the overarching traits is integrity. What is integrity? It is, in the most literal sense, "undivided". It is, then, adhering to moral and ethical principles as a whole. If that was second-nature, if there was no temptation, no concern about failing to adhere, then it would be meaningless. The generous aren't admired because they don't care about money (as an example), but because they know the value of it and consider others important enough to share it at their own expense. If there is no option for deceit, honesty isn't impressive at all. A crime suspect who is faced with overwhelming evidence against himself doesn't gain any admiration because he admits what is already known. And while we appreciate joyful people, it is really only those people who are joyful in difficult circumstances that really stand out. I mean, seriously, anybody can be happy when times are pleasant.

Consider, then, a world without adversity. No suffering, no problems, no hard times, no temptations. How nice! Except in this world you'd find no room for bravery because there is no fear. Compassion would be absent because compassion is the deep sympathy we feel for another who is stricken by misfortune. And so it goes. We may (out of compassion, ironically enough) long for a world where suffering and hard times don't exist. On the other hand, surrendering the best of human qualities to gain it might be a price too high.