What does it really mean to be a good human being? At first, it sounds simple. Be kind, help others, do the right thing. and yes, that is part of it. But when I think more about it, the question gets heavier. Is it something we do because it feels right, or is it because we want to be seen as good in the eyes of others?
Albert Camus in The Fall talks about how people like to think of themselves as “good”, especially when they imagine how they would act in certain situations. For example, we often hear someone say, “If I was there, I would have helped.” It makes us feel noble, but the truth is, until we are in that moment, we do not really know. The goodness only exists in our imagination, and we comfort ourselves with that thought.
For me, being a good human being means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. This is much harder than it sounds. Imagine a friend confiding in you about something painful. It is easy to nod and say you understand, but much harder to show up a week later to check on them or to sit with them when they are quiet. Or think about those times when a colleague makes a mistake at work. Do we stay silent and enjoy looking better in comparison, or do we step in to help them without making it about ourselves?
Goodness in these small everyday choices is not always visible to others. It often does not bring recognition. But that is what makes it real. It is not about being praised, it is about holding yourself to a standard that matters even in private.
My goal in life is to reach a point where I can do these things naturally. To act in line with what I believe is good, without needing an audience or approval. It sounds simple, but it is one of the hardest things to practice.
And maybe, if I can get closer to that, I will feel at peace knowing I tried to live as a good human being.