What’s My Fatal Flaw?

Take this quiz to find out!

Like a tragic hero, we all have one quality that’ll be our downfall. Maybe you’re an overthinker. Maybe you’re impulsive. Maybe you care too much. Aren’t you curious to know?

Give your honest answers to these simple questions, and we’ll reveal your fatal flaw.

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Questions Overview

1. How do you handle grief, sadness, and heartbreak?
  1. I rarely feel those things, because I’m a pretty happy person. I guess I would probably ignore the feelings until they were gone.
  2. I stay busy and focus on helping people around me. I won’t accept help if people offer it.
  3. I keep thinking, and thinking, and thinking about it. I hope that if I think hard enough, I can find a way to fix things.
  4. I cling on to the happy memories for as long as I can. Everything I eventually let go of has claw marks left on it.
2. What's the worst question someone could ask you right now?
  1. "Can you do me a favor?"
  2. "Why are you single?"
  3. "What's your goal in life?"
3. How do you handle pressure?
  1. I thrive under pressure. It motivates me.
  2. I crumble under pressure. It's too much to handle.
  3. I can handle pressure, but it's not comfortable for me.
  4. I need pressure to get anything done, honestly.
4. What do you think is the point of life?
  1. There isn't one, or I don't know.
  2. Helping other people and making their lives easier.
  3. Becoming your best self.
  4. Just to enjoy it. Life is short, and you gotta cherish it.
5. What makes someone a good person?
  1. They're always trying their hardest.
  2. They put other people before themself.
  3. They stick to their morals and values.
  4. They learn from their mistakes.
6. Someone offers you $1 million to do one of these things. Which would you choose?
  1. Ghost my best friend.
  2. Walk through an active minefield.
  3. Not leave my house for 5 years.
  4. None of these. It's not worth it.
7. What's the key to success?
  1. Luck.
  2. Working together.
  3. Doing things my way.
  4. Being open-minded and experimental.
8. What's your biggest pet peeve, out of these?
  1. When people take advantage of me.
  2. When people try to make me do things I don't want to.
  3. When people half-ass important things.
  4. When people make bad, impulse decisions.
9. Which of these achievements or abilities is most impressive to you?
  1. Being mega-rich with a big important job.
  2. Chasing your dream and taking risks, even if you don't succeed.
  3. Surviving a life-threatening illness or injury.
10. Do you ever say things you regret?
  1. Always. I wish I put a little more thought into my words.
  2. Sometimes, but so does everyone, right?
  3. Rarely. I put a lot of thought into what I say.
  4. Never. Life's too short for regrets.
11. What kind of music do you listen to when you need to unwind?
  1. Classical, instrumental, jazz, easy listening. I want to relax.
  2. Rock, hip hop, pop. I want to have a fun time!
  3. Hardcore, metal, punk, etc. I need to rock it out.
  4. Something else.
12. Choose how you want to be buried once your fatal flaw gets the best of you:
  1. Bury me on a serene hill overlooking a nice view.
  2. I want my ashes scattered to an ocean wind.
  3. Plant me under a tree so I can give back to nature.

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But sometimes you care too much, so much that you teeter on the edge of burnout, or end up crashed out on the couch, wondering if you're doing enough or working hard enough. You spread yourself too thin and push yourself too hard, and all that caring and worrying wears a person out.

Everyone needs a break. We're not saying you have to stop caring, but sooner or later you'll have to start caring about yourself, too, and tending to your own needs. You gotta put gas in the tank before you can hit the road, but you've been driving for miles without making a single stop.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Not-Care"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws"}],"link_data":[{"title":"12 Simple Ways to Stop Caring So Much","id":197249,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Not-Care","relUrl":"\/Not-Care","image":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Not-Care-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Not-Care-Step-16-Version-2.jpg.png","alt":"12 Simple Ways to Stop Caring So Much"},{"title":"How to Embrace Your Flaws","id":1803895,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","relUrl":"\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png\/-crop-200-200-200px-LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png","alt":"How to Embrace Your Flaws"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":2,"text":"You're patient\u2013sometimes to a fault.","meaning":"You're someone who's understanding, graceful, and patient, and you give that grace and patience to others. You know that being human is hard, and everyone is constantly making mistakes, and so you look the other way when someone does something wrong or hurts you in some way. You think, \"That's what I'd want them to do for me,\" and you're not wrong! People admire how unshakeable you are, how calm, collected, and level-headed you stay under pressure.

But some people see a patient person as nothing more than a tool, or a punching bag. When you're always turning the other cheek, they'll always be striking it. Sometimes, your patience makes you less of a hero and more of a rug to walk all over, and you get used without even realizing it.

We're not saying you need to be less<\/i> patient, just that sometimes it's necessary to step back and ask yourself if someone is using you for your patience. Speak up for yourself, make those boundaries, and stick to your principles. Part of being patient is knowing who deserves your patience, and who's had enough chances to change before you cut them off.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stand-up-for-Yourself"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Stand up for Yourself","id":170008,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stand-up-for-Yourself","relUrl":"\/Stand-up-for-Yourself","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Stand-up-for-Yourself-Step-15-Version-4.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Stand-up-for-Yourself-Step-15-Version-4.jpg","alt":"How to Stand up for Yourself"},{"title":"How to Embrace Your Flaws","id":1803895,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","relUrl":"\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png\/-crop-200-200-200px-LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png","alt":"How to Embrace Your Flaws"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":3,"text":"You don\u2019t know how to accept help","meaning":"You're someone who doesn't need anyone but yourself. You're confident, self-assured, and you understand that at the end of the day, all you really have is yourself. You like to do things alone, and you strive to be self-sufficient, not relying on anyone else to help you or to do what needs doing. Other people look at you and see a role model, a good example, a goal to aspire to.

But people weren't meant to be alone, and sometimes, when you're so used to doing things yourself, you forget that it isn't a sin to ask for help, or to just enjoy the company of other people. We're a social species after all, and while it's good to be able to rely on yourself, it's a huge advantage to be able to rely on other people.

Life is easier when you have a team who has your back. True, those team members may come and go, but that doesn't mean they're not worth having. Accept the people who want to help you now, reach out when you need it, and offer to help others in return. One is the loneliest number, and the many are mightier.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Trust"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Trust","id":400278,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Trust","relUrl":"\/Trust","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Trust-Step-21-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Trust-Step-21-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Trust"},{"title":"How to Embrace Your Flaws","id":1803895,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","relUrl":"\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png\/-crop-200-200-200px-LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png","alt":"How to Embrace Your Flaws"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":4,"text":"You overthink everything.","meaning":"You're a smart one, someone who spends most of the day lost in your own head. When you encounter a problem, you prefer to take your time puzzling it out, asking yourself what the best way to solve it is, and what might happen if you did something wrong. People admire you for your intelligence and level head, and see you as someone whose opinion they can trust, and who they can depend on.

But sometimes, there's too much thinking and too little action. Not everything is as complicated as it seems, and now and then you find yourself fretting over something that isn't all that serious. A friend said something strange and you worry it means they're drifting away. Something went wrong in your daily life that you worry spells disaster to come, and you're frozen trying to puzzle a way out of it.

Often, though, the answer is less thinking and more doing. Reach out to that friend and ask them what they meant. You can't know what they're thinking until you hear it from them. Shake off that little mistake and focus on climbing the next mountain. It's already in the past, and you've got a big future ahead of you, and while you'll need that sharp mind and good head on your shoulders, you also need your feet to start moving and your hands to start climbing.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stop-Thinking-Too-Much"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Stop Thinking Too Much","id":287458,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stop-Thinking-Too-Much","relUrl":"\/Stop-Thinking-Too-Much","image":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Stop-Thinking-Too-Much-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Stop-Thinking-Too-Much-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Stop Thinking Too Much"},{"title":"How to Embrace Your Flaws","id":1803895,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","relUrl":"\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png\/-crop-200-200-200px-LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png","alt":"How to Embrace Your Flaws"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":5,"text":"You\u2019re loyal\u2013sometimes to a fault.","meaning":"You're someone who forms attachments and friendships easily. You get along with almost everyone, and you know how to stay on people's good sides. People see you as someone easy to talk to, as someone they can depend on. You're a friend for life, and that's a rare thing these days.

But sometimes your loyalty blinds you to what's right. A friend does something wrong, and you hold your tongue because you're worried about offending them. Someone hurts your feelings and you shrug it off too easily because you figure your relationship is more important than your dignity. Loyalty is a virtue, but it can also be poison.

The antidote is speaking up for yourself. A truly loyal friend is one who calls out bad behavior and works to fix it, pushing their friends to be the best they can be. And you gotta be loyal to yourself, first, by defending yourself and drawing boundaries. Often, loyalty means doing what's best for yourself and others, even when they don't realize it.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stand-up-for-Yourself"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Stand up for Yourself","id":170008,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Stand-up-for-Yourself","relUrl":"\/Stand-up-for-Yourself","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Stand-up-for-Yourself-Step-15-Version-4.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Stand-up-for-Yourself-Step-15-Version-4.jpg","alt":"How to Stand up for Yourself"},{"title":"How to Embrace Your Flaws","id":1803895,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","relUrl":"\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png\/-crop-200-200-200px-LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png","alt":"How to Embrace Your Flaws"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":6,"text":"You\u2019re too easygoing, and maybe need to care more.","meaning":"You're someone who's unshakable. Not much gets on your nerves or under your skin. You prefer to spend your days in the sun, soaking up the good vibes. When bad things happen, they roll off you like water off a duck's back. That\u2019s a facade you try hard to keep up, though, harder than most people realize. They admire your chilled-out vibe, and they look to you as a stable force in their life, someone they know they can depend on to keep cool under pressure.

But some things in life require a certain degree of un-chill. Some things are urgent, and worthy of getting mad about, or sad about, or scared about. It's part of life, and part of being human. If you're always vibing, sometimes you let the important things slide by. Sure, it's no sweat if you miss a friend's party, but miss a few too many parties and suddenly the friendship is at risk.

At some point, you need to find a sense of urgency. That thing that needs doing needs to be done now, not later. And when you do it, it's better to care about how well it gets done and take it seriously. Sometimes, \"just good enough\" isn't actually good enough. You don't have to lose your chill, just channel it into passion.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Care"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Care","id":1987373,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Care","relUrl":"\/Care","image":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Care-Step-14-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Care-Step-14-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Care"},{"title":"How to Embrace Your Flaws","id":1803895,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","relUrl":"\/Embrace-Your-Flaws","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png\/-crop-200-200-200px-LR22-D-Alan-Confides-in-His-Dad.png","alt":"How to Embrace Your Flaws"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"Mental<\/picture>","alt":"What Is My Mental Age Quiz"},{"title":"How Normal Am I Quiz","id":14534135,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/How-Normal-Am-I","relUrl":"\/How-Normal-Am-I","image":"\"How<\/picture>","alt":"How Normal Am I Quiz"},{"title":"What Does My Soul Look Like Quiz","id":14561515,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Does-Your-Soul-Look-Like-Quiz","relUrl":"\/What-Does-Your-Soul-Look-Like-Quiz","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Does My Soul Look Like Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"Prepared but not confident","result":"Interesting! In that case, check out these quizzes:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"How Empathetic Am I Quiz","id":14397248,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Empathy-Test","relUrl":"\/Empathy-Test","image":"\"Empathy<\/picture>","alt":"How Empathetic Am I Quiz"},{"title":"How Vain Am I Quiz","id":14819774,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Am-I-Vain","relUrl":"\/Am-I-Vain","image":"\"Am<\/picture>","alt":"How Vain Am I Quiz"},{"title":"Which Friend Am I Quiz","id":13964430,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relationships\/Which-Friend-Are-You","relUrl":"\/Relationships\/Which-Friend-Are-You","image":"\"Which<\/picture>","alt":"Which Friend Am I Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

All About Fatal Flaws

What is a fatal flaw?
A fatal flaw (a.k.a. “hamartia” in Greek) is a personality or character trait that tends to lead to someone’s downfall. It’s a common concept in fiction and mythology. Usually, heroes have positive fatal flaws, where too much of a good trait, like honor or loyalty, can lead them astray. Often, though, fatal flaws are classic vices, like pride, greed, or lust.

Where did fatal flaws come from?
The idea of a fatal flaw dates back to Aristotle, who used the term to describe certain parts of literature. Namely, fatal flaws are a huge part of Greek tragedies, where the heroes often meet their demise because of a fatal character flaw.

Common fatal flaws in real life

  • Pride: Caring too much about your own self-image or dignity.
  • Greed: Wanting too much, and not wanting the right things.
  • Lust: Someone giving in to their physical desires at the expense of their other needs.
  • Procrastination: Putting things off until it’s too late to do them at all.
  • Rule-following: Doing it by the book that they’re not done in the best way.
  • Jealousy: Wanting what others have, even if it’s not what you need.
  • Arrogance: Looking down on other people, which often leads to underestimating them.

How do you overcome your fatal flaw? The first step is to identify it. What quality or trait do you have that often causes you problems? Once you’ve identified it, you can tackle it. But it’s hard to beat on your own. Ask someone who knows you very well what they think and for their perspective, and ask them to help you snap out of it when they see you giving in to that flaw. Once you know what to look out for, you can identify the behavior when it’s happening, then work to do the right thing, instead. For example, if you’re often angry or irritable, the first step is recognizing that anger, then understanding how it can hurt you and others, then working to calm yourself down.

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