The noble savage eschews the world of civilization in favor of a simpler lifestyle: hunting, gathering, fishing and living in harmony with the natural world. Noble savages do not trust the advances and gadgets of civilization, and do not understand such advances. They accept death as a natural part of life and do not strive against natural forces or fate.
By living a life close to nature and understanding his part in nature's cycle of death and rebirth, the noble savage attains a moral purity unseen in modern civilization. He lacks any capacity for guile or deceit, and does not show greed or ambition. He has no use for money and takes a very skeptical view of property. Land is something on which the noble savage dwells; it is not something to be bought and sold. This stance can translate into a criticism of civilization as an inherently corrupting force. The state of nature in which the noble savage dwells brings out his innate goodness. As long as he remains in this state, the taint of evil will never touch him.
While the noble savage lacks a sophisticated education, he possesses innate physical abilities such as strength, dexterity and stamina. He also possesses skills such as hunting and tracking as well as an understanding of the signs of natural phenomenon. This allows him to survive and thrive in the wilderness in ways that a civilized man could not.
Though not a Christian, the noble savage often evinces reverence and respect for a higher being: a nature spirit, great father or pantheistic vision of nature. These gods are wise and often compassionate but act according to mysterious motives. They are tied to natural phenomenon or sacred places in the wilderness rather than to a church or given building. Civilized men might view these deities as childish and foolish gods.