What one quality would make the world better?

If there was one quality that you could give to every single person in the world in an attempt to make it a better place, what would you choose?

I would choose empathy. If people could just look past their own narrow minds and comprehend that other people might be feeling other ways, and try to understand those people without labeling them as 'wrong' for being different from themselves, there would be less scorn and prejudice. If all those obnoxious people who try to push their religious beliefs on others could somehow all at once realise that other people are happy with their beliefs, and that they don't need to be 'fixed', there would be less religious wars.

In a close second is skepticism. If everyone had a little more doubt and uncertainty, if people took a moment to analyze their actions, asking themselves if they're doing the right thing, instead of being so certain in their correctness, they'd become more open-minded. They might even start analyzing some of those traditions they're always following. Like, 'Why is it so important that I act in this way? Is it really beneficial or just a societal thing?' And they'd analyze the routines they go through every day and realise that calling each other 'gay' and 'retarded' is only subconsciously promoting prejudice. And maybe they'd think about the words in the pledge of allegiance instead of repeating them mindlessly. The list goes on and on....

Intolerance - If I could end intolerance I would. We need to learn to tolerate different beliefs, traditions, styles. We all can't be the same and shouldn't. The world needs different kinds of people, thats what makes it turn.

If there was tolerance in the world, there would be peace, and imagine what we would learn, seeing every side of a round world.

I'd say

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.
There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be in time
It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
All you need is love (all together now)
All you need is love (everybody)
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

you know what i mean, screw all of this other shit, love everyone and everyone will love you,

especially if youre english and youre trying to get laid with american chicks

honesty

I think that all of the qualities mentioned are interrelated, so I too would go with empathy, because I think that empathy would lead to honesty, tolerance and love (love, love, love).
If we could relate to another person and understand their thoughts and feelings, we would be more tolerant. Intolerance comes from fearing what we do not understand. We have so much conflict because we can't see things from another person's perspective.
And if we were more tolerant, there would be less reason for dishonesty. It would be easier to be more upfront and honest with others if they were able to understand our position.
You can't have love (love, love, love) without empathy, so if empathy comes first, maybe love would eventually follow.

I can't settle with only one quality so i'll mention two. There are two main areas of concern that will determine the future of the human race and the world.

Firstly- Conservation ethic of the biophysical environment. If we don't address this on an international scale through a holistic thinking approach, then climate change is and will determine the extinction of the biosphere, including wiping out the human population.

Secondly- Pacifism- the opposition to war or violence as a means of 'settling' disputes.

What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy? Mahatma Gandhi.

For me, a very compassionate but scientific mindfulness... where people would have the ability to get to the heart of the matter with their heart leading the way...[b]

Pacifism is a good quality, but someone has to protect that pacifist.

I admire Gandhi dearly and his non violent methods proved successful, even though people did die, I think more were saved. But in another place or time I don't thnk he would have been so successful. Hitler would have tossed him in the oven and Bush would bomb him, and should the bomb miss, he would have found him and tortured him.

that is true about gandhi, but remember the first post said that it would be a quality you would give to EVERYONE. if everyone was a pacifist, there would be no need to protect them from one another. in real life however, yes pacifists may set a good example, but pacifism wouldn't change much in todays world because too many of us only respond to force.

Balance. A balanced life style.

Mine would be Respect. There are too many people out in the world who just need to take a step back and see that everbody deserves to be treated with respect.

My close second would be Patience. I'd like to blessed with a little more myself! I think the World would benefit a lot more from us all being more patient and accepting that all good things come to those who wait! Thanks to Margaret Thatcher, us Brits seem to have caught on to the craze of wanting something and wanting it right away!

God.

Do you mean to give everyone the qualities of God? Now that wouldn't work. God is special for being one. Plus, we wouldn't be people anymore. We'd be...God.

haha

slavery- if everyone was my slave then no1 would be upset cos you would all be equally pissed off. hahah

just kidding

Equality everyone would have the rights to the same free health care, education,food etc.

My close second would be Atheism religion is the root of societies problems and interaction with other nations on a world stage.