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Are guilt and remorse basically the same thing?

English Language & Usage Asked on June 15, 2021

The wordnet dictionary defines remorse as:

n 1: a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)

And it defines gulit as:

n 1: the state of having committed an offense

2: remorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense

Yet, the wordnet dictionary nowhere defines one as a synonym of another. Do these both words basically mean the same thing?

2 Answers

'Remorse' is self-reproach, 'compunction', a realisation that one was indeed guilty- when one's inner conscience pricks one. So, one is in remorse when the consciences scolds one,"Hey, you erred,you harmed, you are guilty." Guilt leads to remorse. They are not same at all.

Correct answer by Abhilaaj on June 15, 2021

I have no source for this, but my natural feeling is:

  • Guilt is feeling negative about your past action.
  • Remorse is wishing you had taken a different action.

So, for example, you could feel guilty about an action, but realize that the alternatives weren't any better and thus not feel remorse.

As an aside, shame is feeling negative about an aspect of your character, whereas the other two are feelings associated with actions you've taken.

Answered by Rubellite Fae on June 15, 2021

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