Virtues and Their Complements

Acceptance

The act of accepting something or someone

Complements: Contentment, Forgiveness

Transcends: Denial, Rejection

Assertiveness

Disposed to or characterized by bold or confident statements and behavior

Complements: Confidence, Courage

Transcends: Self-doubt, Shyness

Authenticity

True to one’s own personality, spirit, or character

Complements: Honesty, Integrity

Transcends: Low self-esteem

Beauty

The qualities in a person or a thing that give pleasure to the senses or the mind

Complements: Joyfulness, Peace

Transcends: Ugliness

Caring

Feeling or showing concern for other people

Complements: Compassion, Kindness

Transcends: Cruelty, Insensitivity

Cleanliness

The practice of keeping yourself and your surroundings clean

Complements: Orderliness, Purity

Transcends: Dirtiness

Commitment

An agreement or pledge to do something in the future

Complements: Loyalty, Perseverance

Transcends: Lack of Direction

Compassion

Sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it

Complements: Caring, Understanding

Transcends: Grief, Judgment

Confidence

A feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something

Complements: Assertiveness, Courage

Transcends: Self-doubt, Uncertainty

Consideration

The act of thinking carefully about something you will make a decision about

Complements: Caring, Compassion

Transcends: Selfishness

Contentment

The state of being happy and satisfied

Complements: Fulfillment, Joy

Transcends: Dissatisfaction, Restlessness

Cooperation

A situation in which people work together to do something

Complements: Teamwork, Unity

Transcends: Defiance

Courage

Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

Complements: Boldness, Confidence

Transcends: Fear, Self-doubt

Creativity

The ability to make new things or think of new ideas

Complements: Joy, Purposefulness

Transcends: Ordinary

Detachment

Lack of emotion or of personal interest

Complements: Faith, Freedom

Transcends: Control

Determination

A quality that makes you continue trying to do or achieve something that is difficult

Complements: Commitment, Tenaciousness

Transcends: Complacency

Dignity

A way of appearing or behaving that suggests seriousness and self-control

Complements: Honor, Respect

Transcends: Egoism, Selfishness

Encouragement

Something that makes someone more determined, hopeful, or confident

Complements: Support, Caring

Transcends: Self-doubt, Discouragement

Enthusiasm

Strong excitement about something; a strong feeling of active interest in something that you like or enjoy

Complements: Energy, Motivation

Transcends: Boredom, Indifference

Ethical

Following accepted rules of behavior; morally right and good

Complements: Fairness, Respect

Transcends: Immorality

Excellence

Extremely high quality

Complements: Dignity, Honor, Integrity, Respect

Transcends: Mediocrity

Fairness

Treating people in a way that does not favor some over others

Complements: Equality, Justice

Transcends: Grievance, Injustice

Faith

Strong belief or trust in someone or something

Complements: Confidence, Hope, Trust

Transcends: Apprehension, Doubt

Flexibility

Willing to change or to try different things

Complements: Detachment, Understanding

Transcends: Stubbornness

Forgiveness

The act of forgiving someone or something

Complements: Freedom, Peace

Transcends: Anger, Bitterness

Friendliness

Acting like a friend; kind and helpful

Complements: Kindness, Tact

Transcends: Shyness

Generosity

The quality of being kind, understanding, and not selfish

Complements: Kindness, Service

Transcends: Stinginess, Self-centered

Gentleness

Having or showing a kind and quiet nature; not harsh or violent

Complements: Patience, Peace

Transcends: Aggression

Graciousness

Very polite in a way that shows respect

Complements: Dignity, Tact

Transcends: Disrespect, Rudeness

Gratitude

A feeling of appreciation or thanks

Complements: Hope, Joy, Peace

Transcends: Disappointment, Pain

Harmonious

Having parts that are related or combined in a pleasing way

Complements: Unity

Transcends: Hostility

Helpfulness

Making it easier to do a job, deal with a problem, etc.; giving help

Complements: Graciousness, Service

Transcends: Negativity

Honesty

The quality of being fair and truthful

Complements: Integrity, Truthfulness

Transcends: Deceitfulness

Honor

Respect that is given to someone who is admired

Complements: Dignity, Respect

Transcends: Shame

Hope

To want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true

Complements: Faith, Joy, Trust

Transcends: Despair, Frustration

Humility

The quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people

Complements: Modesty

Transcends: Arrogance, Pride

Idealism

The attitude of a person who believes that it is possible to live according to very high standards of behavior and honesty

Complements: Confidence, Hope

Transcends: Cynicism, Pessimism

Integrity

Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values

Complements: Honesty, Trust

Transcends: Corruption, Deceitfulness

Imaginative

Having or showing an ability to think of new and interesting ideas

Complements: Creativity

Transcends: Ordinary, Rationalism

Joyfulness

Feeling, causing, or showing great happiness

Complements: Hope, Peace, Love

Transcends: Discontent, Suffering

Justice

The process or result of using laws to fairly judge and punish crimes and criminals

Complements: Fairness, Integrity

Transcends: Discrimination

Kindness

The quality or state of being kind

Complements: Caring, Compassionate

Transcends: Cruelty, Loneliness

Love

A feeling of strong or constant affection for a person

Complements: Caring, Forgiveness, Unity

Transcends: Fear

Loyalty

The quality or state of being loyal

Complements: Honesty, Trust

Transcends: Betrayal

Moderation

The quality or state of being reasonable and avoiding extremes

Complements: Diligence, Responsibility

Transcends: Obsessions, Overindulgence

Modesty

The quality of not being too proud or confident about yourself

Complements: Humility

Transcends: Self-importance

Optimistic

Having or showing hope for the future

Complements: Hope, Joyfulness

Transcends: Pessimism

Orderliness

Arranged or organized in a logical or regular way

Complements: Cleanliness, Purity

Transcends: Chaos

Passionate

Having, showing, or expressing strong emotions or beliefs

Complements: Enthusiasm, Purposefulness

Transcends: Indifference

Patience

The ability to wait for a long time without becoming annoyed or upset

Complements: Determination, Peace

Transcends: Frustration

Peace

A state of tranquility or quiet

Complements: Love, Serenity, Unity

Transcends: Anger, Cruelty

Perseverance

Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition

Complements: Commitment, Determination, Resilience

Transcends: Laziness

Preparedness

The quality or state of being prepared

Complements: Excellence, Orderliness

Transcends: Complacency

Purposefulness

Having a purpose as in something set up as an object or end to be attained

Complements: Creativity, Commitment, Joyfulness

Transcends: Boredom, Indifference

Reliability

The quality or state of being reliable

Complements: Integrity, Loyalty

Transcends: Untrustworthy

Respect

An act of giving particular attention

Complements: Dignity, Reverence

Transcends: Inconsideration

Responsibility

The quality or state of being responsible as in moral, legal, or mental accountability

Complements: Courtesy, Tact, Trust

Transcends: Selfishness

Reverence

Honor or respect that is felt for or shown to (someone or something)

Complements: Respect, Worth

Transcends: Hatred

Self-discipline

Correction or regulation of oneself for the sake of improvement

Complements: Commitment, Determination

Transcends: Chaos, Unruliness

Service

Contribution to the welfare of others

Complements: Compassion, Generosity, Purposefulness

Transcends: Lack of concern, Self-centered

Sincerity

The quality or state of being sincere; honesty of mind

Complements: Authentic

Transcends: Disingenuous

Tact

A keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offense

Complements: Graciousness, Responsibility

Transcends: Clumsiness

Temperate

Habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions

Complements: Moderation

Transcends: Excessive

Tenacious

Persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired

Complements: Discipline, Perseverance

Transcends: Indecision

Thankfulness

Conscious of benefit received

Complements: Gratitude, Thoughtfulness

Transcends: Unappreciative

Tolerance

Sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from one’s own

Complements: Patience, Tenacious

Transcends: Narrow-mindedness

Trust

Assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something

Complements: Loyalty, Respect

Transcends: Doubt, Skepticism

Truthfulness

Telling or disposed to tell the truth

Complements: Honesty, Faith, Trust

Transcends: Corruption, Deceit

Understanding

An agreement of opinion or feeling; adjustment of differences

Complements: Kindness, Tolerance

Transcends: Egoism

Unity

The quality or state of being made one

Complements: Harmony, Love, Peace

Transcends: Loneliness

Visionary

A thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination

Complements: Imagination, Leadership

Transcends: Lack of Inspiration

Wisdom

Accumulated philosophic or scientific learning; knowledge

Complements: Idealism, Visionary

Transcends: Lack of Intelligence

Wonder

A feeling caused by seeing something that is very surprising, beautiful, amazing, etc.

Complements: Creativity, Imagination

Transcends: Boredom

Source: Merriam-Webster online dictionary