pangs of conscience
Inner ethical torment
Pangs of conscience are sharp feelings of guilt or moral discomfort after doing something wrong.
The phrase treats guilt as physical pain—sudden, stabbing sensations that won't be ignored: She felt pangs of conscience about lying to her mother.
Often appears when someone has benefited at another's expense or violated their own principles.
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- act of contritionPrayer acknowledging wrongdoing
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- moral compassInner ethical guidance system
inner conflict · nagging feeling · regret · sleepless nights · scruple · repentance · self-reproach · heavy heart · shame · moral dilemmas · soul searching · self-examination · compunction · confession · anguish · atonement · making amends · apology
pangs of conscienceclear conscience
Freedom from moral guilt
peace of mind · guilt-free · clean hands · guiltlessness · innocence
pangs of consciencepeace of mind
State without anxiety
serenity · tranquility · inner peace · contentment · equanimity
pangs of conscienceshamelessness
Absence of moral embarrassment
remorselessness · callousness · hardheartedness · unrepentance · impenitence
conscience, consciences, conscious, consciously, consciousness, unconscious, unconsciously, unconsciousness, subconscious