righteousness
State of virtue
Righteousness is the quality of being morally right, just, or virtuous.
In religious contexts, it often describes alignment with divine will or adherence to moral law: The prophet spoke of righteousness and justice.
The word carries connotations of moral superiority that can shade into self-righteousness when someone displays their virtue too conspicuously.
Righteousness appears frequently in scripture and formal discourse but sounds elevated or archaic in casual speech.
Just and equal treatment
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- justiceFair treatment under law
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
- vindicationClearance of blame
legitimacy · lawfulness · entitlement · justified · warranted
Right and wrong principles
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- valuesPrinciples held worthwhile
Sacred spiritual purity
- sanctityQuality of being inviolable
- godlinessState of spiritual purity
- pietySincere religious devotion
- devoutnessEarnest religious commitment
purity · salvation · grace · redemption · sanctification · blessedness · sinlessness · justification
fairness
Just and equal treatment
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- justiceFair treatment under law
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
vindication · legitimacy · lawfulness · entitlement · justified · warranted
morality
Right and wrong principles
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- conscienceInternal moral sense
holiness
Sacred spiritual purity
- sanctityQuality of being inviolable
- godlinessState of spiritual purity
- pietySincere religious devotion
devoutness · purity · salvation · grace · redemption · sanctification · blessedness · sinlessness · justification · atonement
- Biblical Englishthou, thee, thy, thine, ye
- Christian ethicsChristian morality, Christian values, divine law, Christian virtues, natural law
- Christian virtuesvirtues, cardinal virtues, theological virtues, faithfulness, chastity
- Egyptian AfterlifeBook of the Dead, Pyramid Texts, Osiris, ba, Anubis
- Jesus' teachingsSermon on the Mount, beatitudes, Beatitudes, love your enemies, Lord's Prayer
- pietydevoutness, holiness, piousness, godliness, sanctity
righteousnesswickedness
Moral corruption or evil
evil · villainy · depravity · immorality · iniquity
righteousnesssinfulness
Moral depravity condition
unrighteousness · impiety · irreverence · godlessness · blasphemy
righteousnesscorruption
Dishonest abuse of power
dishonesty · crookedness · evildoing · injustice · underhandedness