unworthy

Feelings of shame and unworthiness are universal precursors to one of two things: an act of destruction and an act of heroism.

That it stems from an engrained sense of unworthiness and shame is something that Dunne is winningly eager to acknowledge.

As he thought of this he felt almost crushed to the earth by an indomitable bashfulness and conviction of his own unworthiness.

She had cast him out of her friendship because of his unworthiness, but there was a tumult in her heart at sight of him.