Contrition

Literary Scholarly philosophy psychology self

Etymology

From Latin "contritio" (a grinding down), from "conterere" (to grind, crush), from "con-" (thoroughly) and "terere" (to rub, wear away). The image is of a heart worn down and broken up — sorrow that pulverizes pride rather than merely regretting an outcome.

noun · /kun-TRISH-un/
Deep, sincere sorrow for having done wrong.
What it names
Remorse of the genuine, self-implicating kind — sorrow rooted in recognizing the wrong itself, not just its costs.
Example
His apology carried real contrition; he named the harm exactly and asked for nothing in return.
Related idea
In its classic theological contrast, contrition is sorrow for a wrong out of love of the good, while attrition is sorrow merely from fear of punishment — the same tears, but only contrition reaches the heart.