scruples
Ethics-based hesitation points
Scruples are moral hesitations or qualms that prevent someone from doing something ethically questionable.
A person with scruples feels uneasy about actions that might be wrong; a person without them does whatever serves their interests: He had no scruples about cheating investors.
The singular scruple appears mainly in phrases like without a scruple.
To scruple is to hesitate on moral grounds, though this verb form is now rare.
Moral self-reproach
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
- qualmsMoral reservations or unease
- pangsSudden sharp sensations
contrition · penitence · misgivings · unease · discomfort · nagging · troubled · pricking
Disinclination to act
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
- qualmsMoral reservations or unease
- misgivingsFeelings of doubt
- second thoughtsDoubts after deciding
wavering · pause · restraint · holding back · demurral · reticence · unwillingness · squeamishness
Right and wrong principles
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
rectitude · probity · uprightness · standards · values · code · conduct · righteousness
Lacking any compassion
- unprincipledLacking moral standards
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- corruptDishonest, open to bribes
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
devious · shameless · immoral · unethical · conscienceless · amoral · opportunistic · exploitative
guilt
Moral self-reproach
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
- qualmsMoral reservations or unease
pangs · contrition · penitence · misgivings · unease · discomfort · nagging · troubled · pricking · twinges
reluctance
Disinclination to act
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
- qualmsMoral reservations or unease
- misgivingsFeelings of doubt
second thoughts · wavering · pause · restraint · holding back · demurral · reticence · unwillingness · squeamishness · delicacy
morality
Right and wrong principles
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
honor · rectitude · probity · uprightness · standards · values · code · conduct · righteousness · decency
ruthless
Lacking any compassion
- unprincipledLacking moral standards
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- corruptDishonest, open to bribes
underhanded · devious · shameless · immoral · unethical · conscienceless · amoral · opportunistic · exploitative · cutthroat
- valuesvalue, honesty, worth, fairness, morals
- doubtdoubt, doubts, doubting, doubtful, skepticism
- integrityintegrity, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness, rectitude
- moralsmorality, moral code, ethics lessons, moral codes, moral compass
- virtuesintegrity, honesty, justice, courage, fairness
- ethicsmorality, deontology, dignity, sanctity of life, utilitarianism
scruplesunscrupulousness
Lack of ethical restraint
amorality · ruthlessness · corruption · immorality · shamelessness
scruplesrecklessness
Careless disregard for danger
abandon · impetuousness · rashness · heedlessness · carelessness