Person of Character Handout 0703
Person of Character Handout 0703
Is a good person, someone to look up to and admire. Knows the difference between
right and wrong and always tries to do what is right. Sets a good example for everyone.
Makes the world a better place. Lives according to the “Six Pillars of Character”:
TRUSTWORTHINESS, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, FAIRNESS, CARING and CITIZENSHIP
TRUSTWORTHINESS
Integrity DO: Stand up for your beliefs Follow your conscience Be honorable and upright
Live by your principles no matter what others say Have the courage to do what is
right and to try new things even when it is hard, costly Build and guard your reputation
DON’T: Do anything wrong Lose heart if you fail or don’t get what you want
Honesty DO: Tell the truth and nothing but the truth Be sincere Be forthright and candid
DON’T: Lie Cheat Steal Be sneaky, tricky, or deceptive
Reliability DO: Keep your promises Honor your word and commitments Be dependable Do
what you are supposed to do Return what you borrow Pay your debts Be on time
Loyalty DO: Stand by and protect your family, friends, school and country Be a good friend
Look out for those who care about you Keep secrets of those who trust you
DON’T: Betray a trust Let your friends hurt themselves Do anything just so others
will like you Ask a friend to do anything wrong or spread gossip that could hurt others
RESPECT
Golden Rule DO: Treat others the way you want to be treated Respect the dignity, privacy and
freedom of all individuals Value and honor all people, no matter what they can do for
you or to you Respect others’ property — take good care of property you are allowed to
use and don’t take or use property without permission Respect the autonomy of others
— tell them what they should know to make good choices about their own lives
DON’T: Use or manipulate others Abuse, demean or mistreat anyone
Tolerance DO: Judge others on their character, abilities, and conduct without regard to race, reli-
and Acceptance gion, gender, where they live, how they dress or the amount of money they have Be
tolerant, respectful and accepting of those who are different from you Listen to others
and try to understand their points of view
Nonviolence DO: Resolve disagreements, respond to insults and deal with anger peacefully and with-
out violence
DON’T: Use threats or physical force to get what you want or to express anger
Courtesy DO: Use good manners Be courteous, polite and civil to everyone
DON’T: Use put-downs, insults or ridicule to embarrass or hurt others
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Accountability DO: Accept responsibility for the consequences of your choices, not only for what you
do but what you don’t do Think about consequences on yourself and others before you
act Think long-term Do what you can do to make things better Set a good example
DON’T: Look the other way when you can make a difference Make excuses or blame
others
Pursue DO: Your best Persevere Don’t quit Be prepared Be diligent Work hard
Excellence Make all you do worthy of pride
Self-Control DO: Take charge of your own life Set realistic goals Keep a positive outlook Be
prudent and self-disciplined with your health, emotions, time and money Be rational
— act out of reason not anger, revenge or fear Know the difference between what you
have a right to do and what is right to do Be self-reliant — manage your life so you are
not dependent on others; pay your own way whenever you can
FAIRNESS
Justice DO: Be fair and just Treat people equally Make decisions without favoritism or
prejudice In imposing punishment be sure the consequences for wrongdoing are consis-
tent, certain and proportional (not too harsh or lenient)
DON’T: Take more than your fair share Take advantage of or blame others unfairly
Openness DO: Be open-minded and impartial — consider what people have to say before you
decide Be careful — get the facts, including opposing viewpoints, before making deci-
sions (especially blaming or accusing another)
CARING
Concern DO: Be compassionate and empathetic Be kind, loving, and considerate Be thankful
for Others and express gratitude for what people do for you Forgive others for their shortcomings
DON’T: Be mean, cruel or insensitive
Charity DO: Be charitable and altruistic — give money, time, support, comfort without strings
for the sake of making someone else’s life better, not for praise or gratitude Help people
in need
CITIZENSHIP
Do Your Share DO: Be a good citizen and a good neighbor Care about and pursue the common good
Be a volunteer — help your school and community be better, cleaner and safer
Protect the environment by conserving resources, reducing pollution, and cleaning up
after yourself Participate in making things better by voicing your opinion, voting, serv-
ing on committees, reporting wrongdoing and paying taxes
Respect Authority DO: Play by the rules Obey parents, teachers, coaches and others who have been given
and the Law authority Observe just laws Honor and respect principles of democracy
Underlined words are vocabulary words to be learned at the appropriate developmental level.
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