moral compass

[ mawr-uhl kuhm-puhs, mor‐ ]

noun

1. an internalized set of values and objectives that guide a person with regard to ethical behavior and decision-making:

   a rebellious teenager without a moral compass.

Word History and Origins

Origin of moral compass¹

First recorded in 1840–45

Example Sentences

He repeated it again, slowly: “He has no values…He has no moral compass whatsoever.”

From The Daily Beast

Boyd does have a moral compass—not yours or mine—but he does have one.

From The Daily Beast

And these odds were often set by realpolitik, rather than a moral compass.

From The Daily Beast

If you are gay, Jewish, old, or have any sort of moral compass, you will be, too.

From The Daily Beast

If only his moral compass were pointed in the right direction.

From The Daily Beast

The needle in the moral compass is deflected by selfishness or false teaching.

From Project Gutenberg

Their moral compass, so to speak, is less exposed to magnetic aberrations and is more likely to point true.

From Project Gutenberg

"The guiding star for my moral compass," said I, under my breath.

From Project Gutenberg