Chutzpah

Definition: supreme self-confidence; nerve; audacity Balancing Qualities: It’s easy for qualities of strength and self-reliance to get out of hand if they are not balanced by compassion, kindness, and a willingness to see the other person’s point of view. Quote: Poets are excellent students of blizzards and salt and broken statuary. If the poet does not have … Read more

Civil

Definitions: (1) respectful of the basic human rights of others; (2) courteous and polite; mannerly; (3) proper behavior Synonyms: affable, complaisant, obliging Comments:• When you choose to be civil you are creating civilization. • Although being civil oftentimes implies an attitude little more than a lack of rudeness, it also implies a willingness to be tolerant. This is the beginning of an acceptance … Read more

Civilized

Definitions: (1) refinement of thought, etiquette, or taste; (2) educated; (3) cultured or courteous social conduct Quotes:• Human dignity is the keystone of any civilization. — Clifford D. Simak (1904-1988) City • The most necessary task of civilization is to teach men how to think. — Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American Inventor • To enjoy privilege … Read more

Choice

Definitions: (1) something worthy of being preferred; of special excellence; the best part of anything; (2) the ability to know the higher, better, or more preferable thing; recognition of prime value; (3) holding dear; (4) to select freely after careful consideration; the voluntary act of separating from two or more things; (5) having the right … Read more

Chummy

Definition: intimate companionship; affable friendliness; sociably outgoing Derivation: English, “chimney sweep” Quote: I will chum with you, and suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. — Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American writer and lecturer Comment: You can be chummy with anyone, but a true friend is … Read more

Chipper

Definitions: (1) in cheerful good humor and health; jaunty; lively; (2) smartly dressed Derivation: Northern English dialect (kipper) “lively” Reflection: Chipper is not a very common quality (yet it must be for some folks) but if you go out in nature and listen to the birds chirping you may just catch the bug – after all that is … Read more

Chivalrous

Definitions: gracious courtesy and high-minded consideration; valiant; other qualities include: courage, honor, generosity, and loyalty Quote: You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man’s actions are, such must be his spirit.— Demosthenes (384–322 bc) Greek statesman and orator Comment: Even though this quality normally refers to men, … Read more

Chic

Definition: elegantly attractive; stylishly original; clever with fashion Quote: Making loans and fighting poverty are normally two of the least glamorous pursuits around, but put the two together and you have an economic innovation that has become not just popular but downright chic. The innovation – microfinance – involves making small loans to poor entrepreneurs, usually … Read more

Childlike

Definition: relating to or resembling a child or childhood; <especially marked by innocence, trust, and ingenuousness> Saying: You are as young as you feel. Quote: The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives. — Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German and American Physicist

Cheerful

Definitions: (1) full of good spirits; animated; full of life; joyful; (2) having a bright attitude; lightness of mind; (3) creating contagious merriment; (4) willing; hearty; (5) likely to dispel gloom or worry; (6) something that gladdens <words of cheer> Synonyms: blithe, bonny, buoyant, glad, happy, lively, pleasant, sprightly, sunny Music: “Whistle While You Work” … Read more