sense of right and wrong

Noun

Meaning

motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions

Source: WordNet

Synonyms

conscience scruples moral sense

Hypernyms

morality ethics morals ethical motive

Hyponyms

superego sense of duty small voice sense of shame voice of conscience wee small voice

Examples

What has happened to us? It seems as if we have perverted our freedom, our rights into license, into being irresponsible. Perhaps we did not realise just how apartheid has damaged us so that we seem to have lost our sense of right and wrong. Desmond Tutu

Words without deeds violates the moral and legal obligation we have under the genocide convention but, more importantly, violates our sense of right and wrong and the standards we have as human beings about looking to care for one another. Jon Corzine

The sense of mercy is found in all men; the sense of shame is found in all men; the sense of respect is found in all men; the sense of right and wrong is found in all men. Mencius

But, you know, the issues of humanity and what is fair treatment and good treatment of a fellow human being should not really be based on a personal sense of right and wrong or judgment. Debbie Harry

Don't let yourself become cynical. Cynicism is a cheap emotion, a craven substitute for thought and action. Cynicism corrodes the will, dulls the conscience, blunts your sense of right and wrong... Stay alert to fine distinctions: become a pessimist like me. Edward Abbey

I believe I'm a better authority than anybody else in America on my own wife. I have never known a person with a stronger sense of right and wrong in my life ever. Bill Clinton

Close letter words and terms

sense of propriety sense of purpose sense of responsibility sense of self-respect sense of self-worth sense of shame