Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one. – Marcus Aurelius

As men, one of our duties is to be gentlemanly to those that we encounter. There is perhaps no person that this pertains to more – and to a higher degree – than your partner. Women expect to be courted by, and potentially married to, a man of high character.

Most people would agree that good men encompass certain behavioral traits throughout the duration of a relationship.  This leads to the next question: what character traits make up a “good man”? Well, there are indeed many of them. We’ve managed to narrow the “signs” of a good man down to 11.

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, HERE ARE 11 SIGNS THAT YOU’RE WITH A GOOD MAN:

1. HE MAKES YOU FEEL BEAUTIFUL ( INSIDE AND OUT).

As his partner, a good man won’t forget about making your feel beautiful. A good man is not content with just saying the words, but is successful in manifesting feelings of beauty within your heart. This includes in the way he interacts with you physically and mentally.

2. HE EVOKES A SENSE OF INSPIRATION.

A good man will always possess a strong and unshakable character. As such, by default, the man is inspirational in his words and deeds. He never ceases to evoke feelings of inspiration. A good man will inspire a woman to be the best version of herself.

3. HE IS SUPPORTIVE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.

A good man understands the importance of remaining supportive and accommodating to a woman’s needs. This doesn’t entail being a “Yes Man,” but being a man that can offer support and accommodation when the situation calls for such.

4. HE ALWAYS SEEKS SELF-IMPROVEMENT.

A good man never really gives himself too much credit. Though he may be intelligent, a good man seeks to always self-improvement; whether this is through learning something new, taking on added responsibilities, or getting into better shape, a good man prides himself on becoming better.

5. HE MAKES YOU FEEL SAFE AND SECURE.

Feeling safety and secure is a vital component for any woman in her relationship. It is the man’s duty to ensure that such feelings are present. In the event of something unfortunate, a good man will always stand up for and defend his woman.

6. HE ALWAYS SEEMS TO DO THE “LITTLE THINGS.”

Holding the door open, pulling out the chair, feeding the kids, etc. are all trademark actions of a good man doing the little things. He is never too busy to stop what he’s doing and offer a small gesture of assistance.

7. HE IS HONEST AND FORTHCOMING.

A good man will not lie, cheat, or steal, especially to the person he loves the most in the world. A good man should not feel any hesitation in telling it like it is, whether what he has to say be good or bad.

8. HE IS NEVER ABUSIVE TOWARDS YOU OR ANYONE ELSE.

A good man will never be physically, mentally, or emotionally abusive to his partner. Ever. Also, a good man will not instigate an abusive episode with anyone else under any circumstance. Instead, a good man will use the strength of his character and intellect to resolve conflicts.

9. HE STANDS BY YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

When a good man expresses his love, this love remains through thick and thin. Under no circumstance will a good man neglect you, even in the more challenging situations. A good man will not abandon his duty to stand by you.

10. HE WORKS TO EARN, AND KEEP, YOUR TRUST.

A good man understands that trust, like love, cannot be forced; it must be earned. After earning the woman’s sacred trust, a good man will take such a blessing for granted. Furthermore, a good man never leaves his trust in-doubt.

11. HE PUTS YOU FIRST IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.

This doesn’t mean that he keels over and appeases to a woman’s every whim. It does mean, in most cases, that a good man will be selfless in his words and deeds. It is a man’s responsibility to put his woman first – a good mean does this much more often than not.