--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Good character consists of recognizing…" description: "\"Good character consists of recognizing the selfishness that inheres in each of us and trying to balance it against the altruism to which we should all ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/alan-dershowitz-2194_altruism_good-character-consists-of-recognizing-t_2460825.jpg" --- # Good character consists of recognizing the selfishness… ![“Good character consists of recognizing the selfishness that inheres in each of us and trying to balance it against the altruism to which we should all aspire. It is a difficult balance to strike, but no definition of goodness can be complete without it.” quote by Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/alan-dershowitz-2194_altruism_good-character-consists-of-recognizing-t_2460825.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/alan-dershowitz-2194_altruism_good-character-consists-of-recognizing-t_2460825.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/alan-dershowitz-2194_altruism_good-character-consists-of-recognizing-t_2460825.jpg) > “Good character consists of recognizing the selfishness that inheres in each of us and trying to balance it against the altruism to which we should all aspire. It is a difficult balance to strike, but no definition of goodness can be complete without it.” [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Goodness requires recognizing personal selfishness and striving toward altruism, despite difficulty. **In simple terms:** Balance self-interest with helping others. Key Takeaway Seek balance between self and others. Themes ethics character altruism Mood reflective inspirational Type lecture philosophical When to use this quote - Personal decision making - public policy - team leadership - community service Key Concepts Moral philosophy self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - What personal biases hinder altruism? - How can societies encourage ethical balance? A Different Perspective Altruistic aims can be limited by personal bias or societal constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Altruism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruism/) [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Good character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-character/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Strikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes/) ## Related quotes > [Good character consists of knowing the good, desiring the good, and doing the good habits of the mind, habits of the heart, and habits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/good-character-consists-of-knowing-the-good-desiring-the-good-and/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [Character consists of the moral awareness and strength to know the good, love the good and do the good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/character-consists-of-the-moral-awareness-and-strength-to-know-the/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [“A good character may not make us happy, but it does make us worthy of happiness (XXV 1174). 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