100+ Character Traits of an Honest Person

To engage your reader, it's important to always show, not tell, the traits of your characters.

The character trait of honesty refers to a person's tendency to be truthful and sincere in their actions and words. Honest individuals are genuine and transparent, and they strive to adhere to a strict moral code that values integrity, fairness, and straightforwardness. They do not deceive or manipulate others, and they take responsibility for their actions, even when it is difficult to do so. Ultimately, an honest character is an important quality to have in any story, as it can add depth and authenticity to your characters and help your readers connect with them on a deeper level.

Possible Causes of Being Honest

You might want to weave these into your character's backstory to build a more believable character:

• Empathy: People who are naturally empathetic may find it difficult to lie or deceive others, as they are able to put themselves in the other person's shoes and understand the impact that dishonesty can have on them.

• Consequences of dishonesty: If a person has experienced negative consequences as a result of being dishonest, such as losing the trust of loved ones or facing legal repercussions, they may be more inclined to be honest in the future.

• Personality traits: Some personality traits, such as openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness, are associated with a greater tendency toward honesty.

• Personal values: Some people have a strong sense of what is right and wrong and believe that honesty is an important part of living a good life.

• Upbringing: If a person grew up in a family that values honesty and integrity, they may have internalized those values and made them part of their own personality.

Attitudes Related to Being Honest

You may be able to show honesty through your character's attitudes:

• Candor

• Trustworthiness

• Integrity

• Transparency

• Frankness

• Sincerity

• Reliability

• Openness

• Authenticity

Thoughts and Struggles Linked to Honesty

Here are some ideas for things your honest character may think or struggle with:

• Feeling conflicted when faced with situations that require balancing honesty with other values, such as loyalty or kindness

• A desire to maintain trust and integrity in all relationships and interactions

• Struggling with the temptation to lie, even in small or seemingly insignificant situations

• Wrestling with the consequences of honesty, such as hurting someone's feelings or risking a negative outcome

• Struggling with the fear of judgment or rejection for being honest about their thoughts and feelings

• Being willing to admit mistakes and take responsibility for their actions

• Difficulty in dealing with others who are dishonest or manipulative

• Feeling guilty when withholding information or not being completely truthful with others

• A tendency to be straightforward and direct in communication, sometimes at the cost of diplomacy or tact

Emotions Associated With Being Honest

Here are some ideas for emotions your honest character may experience:

• Openness

• Sincerity

• Transparency

• Authenticity

• Directness

• Truthfulness

• Integrity

• Fairness

• Candidness

Facial Expressions Associated With Honesty

Here are some facial expressions your honest character may exhibit:

• Lack of tension or strain in facial muscles

• Unforced smile or neutral expression

• No attempt to hide or cover the face

• Even, unhesitant tone of voice

• Open, relaxed facial expression

• Minimal fidgeting or nervous ticks

• Direct eye contact

Body Language Linked to Being Honest

Here is some body language your honest character may exhibit:

• Open, relaxed posture

• Maintaining steady eye contact

• Gesturing with open palms

• Displaying genuine emotion in facial expressions

• Speaking clearly and confidently

• Avoiding fidgeting or nervous movements

Behaviors Associated With Being Honest

Here are some behaviors your honest character may exhibit:

• Avoiding gossip or spreading rumors

• Admitting mistakes and taking responsibility for one's actions

• Providing accurate information and avoiding exaggeration or distortion

• Refraining from lying, cheating, or stealing

• Keeping promises and commitments

• Being sincere and authentic in interactions with others

• Telling the truth even when it's difficult or uncomfortable

• Acknowledging others' contributions and giving credit where it's due

• Being transparent and open about one's thoughts and feelings

Growth and Evolution of Honest Characters

Here are some ways that your honest character may grow and evolve over time:

• Realize that there are times when it's okay to keep certain things to themselves, understanding that complete honesty isn't always necessary or appropriate

• Learn to trust others more, recognizing that being honest with others means being vulnerable and open to their reactions

• Learn to be more tactful in their honesty, realizing that being brutally honest can sometimes hurt others

• Understand that honesty isn't always black and white, and that there are shades of gray when it comes to telling the truth

• Develop empathy and compassion, understanding that their honesty might sometimes cause pain to others and learning to be more sensitive to their feelings

• Confront their own biases and prejudices, becoming more aware of how those biases might affect their perception of the truth

• Learn to be more introspective, examining their own motivations for being honest and understanding when their honesty might be driven by fear or insecurity

• Become more self-aware, recognizing when their honesty might be coming across as arrogance or superiority and working to adjust their approach

Stereotypes of Honest Characters to Avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical honest characters like these examples:

• The honest character who is always serious and never jokes around

• The honest character who is always a Goody-Two-shoes and never breaks rules or takes risks

• The honest character who is always preachy and judgmental toward others who are not as honest as they are

• The honest character who is always blunt and insensitive to others' feelings

• The honest character who is always humble to the point of self-deprecation and never acknowledges their strengths

• The honest character who is always morally superior to everyone else

• The honest character who is naïve and gullible

Remember, characters are complex and multidimensional, and an honest character should not be reduced to a one-dimensional stereotype. Instead, strive to create a character who is honest but also flawed, relatable, and interesting.

Negatives of Being Honest

Here are some potential negatives of being honest. Note: These are subjective, and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Being honest can create tension or discomfort in relationships.

• Being honest can sometimes hurt other people's feelings.

• Being honest can make you vulnerable to criticism or rejection.

• Being honest can lead to conflict or confrontation.

Positives of Being Honest

Here are some potential positives of being honest. Note: These are subjective, and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Reduces stress and anxiety of keeping secrets or lying

• Enhances credibility and reputation

• Builds trust with others

• Encourages open communication and healthy relationships

• Leads to personal growth and self-improvement

• Demonstrates respect for oneself and others

Verbal Expressions of Honest Characters

Here are some potential expressions used by honest characters:

• "To be frank..."

• "To be truthful..."

• "In all sincerity..."

• "To tell the truth..."

• "Honestly speaking..."

• "Let me be transparent..."

• "To be straightforward..."

• "To be candid..."

• "I have to admit..."

Relationships of Honest Characters

Here are some ways that being honest could affect your character's relationships:

• Honest people may have a tendency to be blunt or straightforward in their communication, which can come across as insensitive or harsh to others.

• Honest people tend to build trust quickly with others.

• Honest people tend to have strong moral values and may struggle with relationships with those who have different values or beliefs.

• Honest people may have difficulty dealing with people who are not honest themselves or who engage in deceitful behavior.

• They may be seen as reliable and dependable by others.

• They may struggle with white lies or keeping secrets, which can put strain on relationships if not handled properly.

• They are often respected and admired for their integrity.

• They may have a tendency to be critical of others who are not honest, which can lead to conflict in relationships.

Examples From Books of Characters Who Are Honest

• Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

• Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

• Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Writing Exercises for Writing Honest Characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write honest characters:

• Consider the ways in which your character's honesty might be a flaw or a weakness. Write a scene in which their honesty causes problems for them or those around them.

• Write a dialogue between your character and someone who is lying to them. How does your character react to the lies? Do they confront the person or keep quiet? How do they feel about the situation afterward?

• Create a backstory for your character that explains why they value honesty above all else. Did they have a negative experience with dishonesty in the past? Were they raised to value honesty? How does this backstory inform the character's current actions and beliefs?

• Write a scene in which your character must confess to a mistake they have made. How do they handle the confession? Do they make excuses or take responsibility for their actions?

• Write a scene in which your character is faced with a moral dilemma and has to choose between telling the truth or lying to protect someone they care about. Explore how they weigh their options and make their decision.