Character building:

[billy]

Just don't forget that even though you may have a good character doesn't mean that you don't have deep flaws. (And I'm not standing up for the wife-beaters here, I'm just saying that you don't know everything about a person ).

like you and sj say, everyone has flaws, of course they do. but vf also says:
To me, a person of good character is one who is honourable, trustworthy and well mannered.
That pretty well leaves out the slobs and the wife beaters.
so sorry but i can't call the man who clears the snow and beats his wife of good character, the same i can't call a rapist or pedo or killer, someone of good character.

while i know nothing about most people i do know what i think. manson oj hitler the man next door who plays with kids, the murderer the rapist etc ad infinitum do not posses good characters as far as i'm concerned.

while being kind to animals is a good trait for someone to have it in and of itself does not mean that person has a good character. i think we all have flaws but some have flaws that detract too much, for the diamond to be worthy of purchase.

i'm not sure manners maketh the character either. i know many ill mannered people that would put good mannered people to shame in the good character stakes.

how would i describe my character...that would be "not good" but we're not talking about me (thanks a deity of your choice )