Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence

You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.

What is Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence?

Appreciation of beauty and excellence is the ability to identify and enjoy that which is admirable in the world. There are three types of goodness in which positive psychology focuses: physical beauty (e.g. a sunset, song, or building); an exceptional skill or talent; and moral goodness (e.g. a character strength). Appreciation of beauty can generate awe; appreciation of a skill can generate admiration; and appreciation of moral goodness can generate moral elevation. All of these feelings (awe, admiration, and moral elevation) help us forget ourselves and find increased joy and meaning in the world.  

Virtue: Transcendence. These strengths allow people to rise above their troubles and find meaning in the larger
universe. The strengths of transcendence include appreciation of beauty and excellence, purpose, gratitude, optimism, and humor.

Individuals with this strength might be described as enraptured, enthralled, admiring, approving, fascinated, or captivated.


The content on this page is written for adults — and the character card linked below is our Grades 9-12 version. Our curriculum is differentiated by grade level, from Pre-K–12. Request free lessons to get a closer look at how P2 teaches character strengths across grade levels.

Individuals with this strength are likely to think, feel, or behave in the following ways:

Appreciation Beauty
I’m grateful for the beauty of the natural world around me.
Appreciation Beauty
I appreciate the skills and attributes of others, even my opponents.
Appreciation Beauty
Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around, you just might miss it.
Appreciation Beauty
I get goose bumps when I hear a beautiful piece of music.
Appreciation Beauty
Seeing the character strengths of other people inspires me to be a better person.

Why does Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence matter?

Appreciating beauty and excellence helps an individual experience positive emotions and connect to the world around him/her. It’s an outward-facing strength, meaning the individual is focused on the world outside his/her head. Not only is the individual outwardly focused, but often deeply absorbed in a sense of awe or admiration, freeing him/her to forget anxieties and troubles. And it is associated with other strengths, such as gratitude, curiosity, love of learning, and connection/purpose.

On a group level, those who appreciate beauty and excellence make our lives more enjoyable. First, it means that they’re not looking to criticize the world or its people, but instead take pleasure from their excellence. Second, it is the writers, painters, musicians, and filmmakers who help us better appreciate the world around us. It’s due to their admiration for the way the sun hits off a wave or the quiet perseverance of a cross-country runner, that we are able to see the world with fresh eyes.

Quotes on Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence

“’There’s always a sunrise and always a sunset and it’s up to you to choose to be there for it,’ said my mother. ‘Put yourself in the way of beauty.’”

- Cheryl Strayed

“If the stars should appear but one night every thousand years how man would marvel and adore.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

“Appreciation is a beautiful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”

- Voltaire

“At some point in life the world’s beauty becomes enough. You don’t need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough.”

- Toni Morrison

Explore more character strengths

You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.

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Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence

You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.

You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.

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Bravery

You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.

You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.

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Creativity

You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.

You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.

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Curiosity

You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.

You approach life with excitement and energy. You energize people around you.

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Enthusiasm

You approach life with excitement and energy. You energize people around you.

You believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.

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Fairness

You believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.

You let go of anger toward those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.

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Forgiveness

You let go of anger toward those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.

You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

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Gratitude

You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.

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Humility

You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.

You like to laugh and bring smiles to other people.

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Humor

You like to laugh and bring smiles to other people.

Your choices reflect your values even when the choice is difficult. You are honest, keep your promises, and present yourself genuinely.

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Integrity

Your choices reflect your values even when the choice is difficult. You are honest, keep your promises, and present yourself genuinely.

You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.

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Kindness

You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.

You value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best.

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Leadership

You value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best.

You value close relationships with others and being close to people.

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Love

You value close relationships with others and being close to people.

You master new skills and topics on your own or in school.

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Love of Learning

You master new skills and topics on your own or in school.

You like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.

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Open-Mindedness

You like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.

You expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.

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Optimism

You expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.

You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.

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Perseverance

You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.

You appreciate that people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.

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Perspective

You appreciate that people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.

You plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.

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Prudence

You plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.

You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.

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Purpose

You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.

You have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.

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Self-Control

You have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.

You are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.

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Social Intelligence

You are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.

You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.

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Teamwork

You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.

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P2 for Families gives parents simple, no-prep ways to talk about character strengths with their kids.