mensch
Salt of earth
Mensch comes from Yiddish (and German) meaning person, but in English it carries strong connotations of character.
A mensch is someone of integrity and honor—a person you can rely on to do the right thing.
The word implies warmth, decency, and moral backbone: He's a real mensch, always helping out.
To call someone a mensch is high praise.
Moral soundness and consistency
- decencyMoral appropriateness in behavior
- uprightnessMoral correctness and honesty
- rectitudeMoral straightness
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
trustworthiness · reliability · honorable · ethical · moral · conscience · steadfast · dependable
Flawless model to emulate
- pillarUpright architectural support
- gentlemanCourteous, honorable man
- gentlewomanWoman of high birth
- salt of the earthFundamentally decent, reliable people
Trusted field authority
- kvellBurst with parental pride
- chutzpahShameless, admirable audacity
- bubbeGrandmother, in Yiddish
- landsmanInexperienced crew member
mazel · shmooze · kibitz · yenta · nebbish · schlemiel · nudnik · schlep
Sharing another's emotions
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- generosityReadiness to give freely
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
- warmthHeat you feel
caring · considerate · thoughtful · understanding · supportive · helpful · goodhearted · tenderhearted
integrity
Moral soundness and consistency
- decencyMoral appropriateness in behavior
- uprightnessMoral correctness and honesty
- rectitudeMoral straightness
principled · trustworthiness · reliability · honorable · ethical · moral · conscience · steadfast · dependable · accountable
paragon
Flawless model to emulate
- pillarUpright architectural support
- gentlemanCourteous, honorable man
- gentlewomanWoman of high birth
salt of the earth · class act · good egg · prince · princess
maven
Trusted field authority
landsman · mazel · shmooze · kibitz · yenta · nebbish · schlemiel · nudnik · schlep · schmaltz
empathy
Sharing another's emotions
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- generosityReadiness to give freely
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
warmth · caring · considerate · thoughtful · understanding · supportive · helpful · goodhearted · tenderhearted · humane
friend
Non-kin mutual bond
- dependable peoplerock, stalwart, mainstay, pillar, backbone
- Yiddishchutzpah, kvetch, schlep, tchotchke, schmaltz
- AshkenaziYiddish, shtetl, klezmer, gefilte fish, challah
- Jewish comedyBorscht Belt, Jerry Seinfeld, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Larry David
- Orthodox JudaismTorah study, yeshiva, kosher, shabbat, Hasidic
- JewishTorah, Shabbat, kosher, rabbi, synagogue
menschdisgrace
Loss of honor
pariah · outcast · bum · ne'er-do-well · good-for-nothing