Classification of 6 Virtues and 24 Strengths (1)

Wisdom and knowledge

Cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge

• Creativity: Thinking of novel and productive ways to do things
• Curiosity: Taking an interest in all of ongoing experience
• Open-mindedness: Thinking things through and examining them from all sides
• Love of learning: Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge
• Perspective: Being able to provide wise counsel to others

Courage

Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition, external or internal

• Authenticity: Speaking the truth and presenting oneself in a genuine way
• Bravery: Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain
• Persistence: Finishing what one starts
• Zest: Approaching life with excitement and energy

Humanity

Interpersonal strengths that involve “tending and befriending” others

• Kindness: Doing favors and good deeds for others
• Love: Valuing close relations with others
• Social intelligence: Being aware of the motives and feelings of self and others

Justice

Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life

• Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice
• Leadership: Organizing group activities and seeing that they happen
• Teamwork: Working well as member of a group or team

Temperance

Strengths that protect against excess

• Forgiveness: Forgiving those who have done wrong
• Modesty: Letting one’s accomplishments speak for themselves
• Prudence: Being careful about one’s choices; not saying or doing things that might later be regretted
• Self-regulation: Regulating what one feels and does

Transcendence

Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning

• Appreciation of beauty and excellence: Noticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in all domains of life
• Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen
• Hope: Expecting the best and working to achieve it
• Humor: Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people
• Religiousness: Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of life