better nature
Moral self within
Better nature refers to the morally superior or more virtuous aspects of a person's character—the capacity for kindness, generosity, and compassion that exists alongside baser impulses.
The phrase appears most often in appeals to override selfish or hostile instincts: I appealed to her better nature and she agreed to help.
Lincoln famously invoked "the better angels of our nature" in his first inaugural address, calling for unity over division.
Internal moral sense
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
righteousness · decency · honor · goodness · rectitude · uprightness · probity · moral compass
Compassionate understanding of others
- empathySharing another's emotions
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- warmthHeat you feel
gentleness · mercy · forgiveness · caring · understanding · sensitivity · concern · soft-heartedness
Readiness to give freely
- goodwillKindly, generous spirit
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- philanthropyGenerous giving for others
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
selflessness · magnanimity · beneficence · graciousness · munificence · liberality · nobility · largesse
Inborn behavioral nature
- inclinationDisposition toward something
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- soulInnermost animating essence
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
heart · inner self · true self · core · essence · higher self · redeeming qualities
conscience
Internal moral sense
principles · righteousness · decency · honor · goodness · rectitude · uprightness · probity · moral compass · scruples
sympathy
Compassionate understanding of others
- empathySharing another's emotions
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
warmth · gentleness · mercy · forgiveness · caring · understanding · sensitivity · concern · soft-heartedness · humanity
generosity
Readiness to give freely
- goodwillKindly, generous spirit
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- philanthropyGenerous giving for others
altruism · selflessness · magnanimity · beneficence · graciousness · munificence · liberality · nobility · largesse · humanitarianism
temperament
Inborn behavioral nature
- inclinationDisposition toward something
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- soulInnermost animating essence
spirit · heart · inner self · true self · core · essence · higher self · redeeming qualities
better naturedark side
Hidden negative aspect
mean streak · cruel streak · self-interest · greed · malice
better natureinner demons
shadow self · evil twin · id · lizard brain · beast within
better natureinner demon
Psychological self-destructive force
shadow self · id · lower self · carnal nature · primal instincts
better, nature, natural, naturally, naturalness, unnatural, naturalism, naturalist, naturalistic