moral strength
Ethical backbone, essentially
Moral strength is the capacity to act according to one's principles despite difficulty, temptation, or pressure.
It encompasses qualities like courage, integrity, and resolve—the inner resources that allow someone to do what they believe is right even when it's costly or unpopular: It took moral strength to refuse the bribe.
The term implies character tested and proven, not merely good intentions.
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- courageFortitude facing danger
- rectitudeMoral straightness
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- honestyTruthfulness, sincerity
doing the right thing · whistleblowing · incorruptibility · conscientiousness · true grit · accountability · self-discipline · scruples · backbone · willpower · nerves of steel · probity · perseverance · stiff upper lip · justice · self-control · trustworthiness · stalwart
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage
- heroismbravery, valor, hero, courage, heroism
- integrityintegrity, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness, rectitude
- valorbravery, courage, gallantry, heroism, fearlessness
- virtuesintegrity, honesty, justice, courage, fairness
- moral statesmorality, immorality, vice, righteousness, wickedness
moral strengthspinelessness
Lack of courage
pusillanimity · lack of backbone · irresolution · faintheartedness · weak-mindedness
moral strengthmoral corruption
Degradation of ethical principles
depravity · moral bankruptcy · vice · degeneracy · venality
moral strengthweakness of will
Failing to follow conviction
irresolution · vacillation · inconstancy · wavering · indecision