Iniquity vs. Moral — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 8, 2024
Iniquity involves immoral or grossly unfair behavior, while moral relates to principles of right and wrong behavior.
Difference Between Iniquity and Moral
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Iniquity refers to wickedness or gross injustice, characterized by acts that are morally reprehensible. On the other hand, moral pertains to the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong.
Iniquity is often used to describe situations or actions that are egregiously unfair or evil. Whereas moral is used as an adjective to describe actions, decisions, or characters that conform to a standard of right behavior.
Iniquity suggests a profound level of immorality or sin, typically involving a violation of societal norms or ethical codes. On the other hand, moral often implies conformity to societal standards of good conduct.
Iniquity is associated with a serious breach of ethical conduct that impacts not just individuals but the broader community. In contrast, moral can also refer to personal principles that guide individual behavior, which may or may not align with the broader societal norms.
Iniquity can result in social condemnation and is often used in a religious or legal context to describe acts that warrant punishment. Meanwhile, moral standards are frequently invoked in philosophical, cultural, and legal discussions to argue for or against certain behaviors.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Gross injustice or wicked behavior.
Pertaining to principles of right and wrong.
Usage Context
Often in legal or religious contexts.
Used in ethical, social, and personal contexts.
Connotation
Primarily negative, implying severe wrongdoing.
Can be positive or neutral, depending on context.
Impact on Society
Generally causes harm or distress.
Guides behavior towards societal norms.
Relation to Law
Often involves actions punishable by law.
Can influence or be influenced by laws.
Compare with Definitions
Iniquity
Profound immorality or injustice.
The documentary exposed the iniquity of the forced displacements.
Moral
Adhering to conventional standards of conduct.
Her moral character was respected by everyone.
Iniquity
A violation of right or duty.
He spoke out against the iniquities in the criminal justice system.
Moral
Concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior.
The moral implications of cloning are complex.
Iniquity
Immoral or grossly unfair behavior.
They were punished for their iniquity.
Moral
A lesson in how one should behave.
The moral of the film was clear: unity is strength.
Iniquity
Sinfulness, especially when deliberate.
The novel explores the theme of iniquity in human nature.
Moral
Teaching a lesson of what is right or prudent.
The moral of the story is to be honest with yourself.
Iniquity
Wicked acts or practices.
The ruler’s reign was marked by iniquity and terror.
Moral
Based on personal conscience.
He made a moral decision to refuse the bribe.
Iniquity
Gross immorality or injustice; wickedness.
Moral
A moral (from Latin morālis) is a message that is conveyed or a lesson to be learned from a story or event. The moral may be left to the hearer, reader, or viewer to determine for themselves, or may be explicitly encapsulated in a maxim.
Iniquity
A grossly immoral act; a sin.
Moral
Of or concerned with the judgment of right or wrong of human action and character
Moral scrutiny.
A moral quandary.
Iniquity
(uncountable) Deviation from what is right; gross injustice, sin, wickedness.
Moral
Teaching or exhibiting goodness or correctness of character and behavior
A moral lesson.
Iniquity
(countable) An act of great injustice or unfairness; a sinful or wicked act; an unconscionable deed.
Moral
Conforming to standards of what is right or just in behavior; virtuous
A moral life.
Iniquity
Absence of, or deviation from, just dealing; lack of rectitude or uprightness; gross injustice; unrighteousness; wickedness; as, the iniquity of bribery; the iniquity of an unjust judge.
Till the world from his perfection fellInto all filth and foul iniquity.
Moral
Arising from conscience or the sense of right and wrong
A moral obligation.
Iniquity
An iniquitous act or thing; a deed of injustice or unrighteousness; a sin; a crime.
Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.
Moral
Having psychological rather than physical or tangible effects
A moral victory.
Moral support.
Iniquity
A character or personification in the old English moralities, or moral dramas, having the name sometimes of one vice and sometimes of another. See Vice.
Acts old Iniquity, and in the fitOf miming gets the opinion of a wit.
Moral
Based on strong likelihood or firm conviction, rather than on the actual evidence
A moral certainty.
Iniquity
Absence of moral or spiritual values;
The powers of darkness
Moral
The lesson or principle contained in or taught by a fable, a story, or an event.
Iniquity
Morally objectionable behavior
Moral
A concisely expressed precept or general truth; a maxim
Likes to follow the moral "To each, his own.".
Iniquity
An unjust act
Moral
Of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behaviour, especially for teaching right behaviour.
Moral judgments;
A moral poem
A moral obligation
Moral
Conforming to a standard of right behaviour; sanctioned by or operative on one's conscience or ethical judgment.
A moral action
Moral
Capable of right and wrong action.
A moral agent
Moral
Probable but not proved.
A moral certainty
Moral
Positively affecting the mind, confidence, or will.
A moral victory;
Moral support
Moral
(of a narrative) The ethical significance or practical lesson.
Moral
Moral practices or teachings: modes of conduct.
A candidate with strong morals
Moral
(obsolete) A morality play.
Moral
A moral certainty.
Moral
An exact counterpart.
Moral
(intransitive) To moralize.
Moral
Relating to duty or obligation; pertaining to those intentions and actions of which right and wrong, virtue and vice, are predicated, or to the rules by which such intentions and actions ought to be directed; relating to the practice, manners, or conduct of men as social beings in relation to each other, as respects right and wrong, so far as they are properly subject to rules.
Keep at the least within the compass of moral actions, which have in them vice or virtue.
Mankind is broken loose from moral bands.
She had wandered without rule or guidance in a moral wilderness.
Moral
Conformed to accepted rules of right; acting in conformity with such rules; virtuous; just; as, a moral man. Used sometimes in distinction from religious; as, a moral rather than a religious life.
The wiser and more moral part of mankind.
Moral
Capable of right and wrong action or of being governed by a sense of right; subject to the law of duty.
A moral agent is a being capable of those actions that have a moral quality, and which can properly be denominated good or evil in a moral sense.
Moral
Acting upon or through one's moral nature or sense of right, or suited to act in such a manner; as, a moral arguments; moral considerations. Sometimes opposed to material and physical; as, moral pressure or support.
Moral
Supported by reason or probability; practically sufficient; - opposed to legal or demonstrable; as, a moral evidence; a moral certainty.
Moral
Serving to teach or convey a moral; as, a moral lesson; moral tales.
Moral
The doctrine or practice of the duties of life; manner of living as regards right and wrong; conduct; behavior; - usually in the plural.
Corrupt in their morals as vice could make them.
Moral
The inner meaning or significance of a fable, a narrative, an occurrence, an experience, etc.; the practical lesson which anything is designed or fitted to teach; the doctrine meant to be inculcated by a fiction; a maxim.
Thus may we gather honey from the weed,And make a moral of the devil himself.
To point a moral, or adorn a tale.
We protest against the principle that the world of pure comedy is one into which no moral enters.
Moral
A morality play. See Morality, 5.
Moral
To moralize.
Moral
The significance of a story or event;
The moral of the story is to love thy neighbor
Moral
Relating to principles of right and wrong; i.e. to morals or ethics;
Moral philosophy
Moral
Concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles;
Moral sense
A moral scrutiny
A moral lesson
A moral quandary
Moral convictions
A moral life
Moral
Adhering to ethical and moral principles;
It seems ethical and right
Followed the only honorable course of action
Had the moral courage to stand alone
Moral
Arising from the sense of right and wrong;
A moral obligation
Moral
Psychological rather than physical or tangible in effect;
A moral victory
Moral support
Moral
Based on strong likelihood or firm conviction rather than actual evidence;
A moral certainty
Common Curiosities
How does moral relate to everyday decisions?
Moral principles guide decisions by providing a framework of right and wrong.
Are moral standards universal?
While some moral principles are widely accepted, others can vary significantly across cultures.
Is iniquity always illegal?
Not always; some iniquitous actions may not be specifically prohibited by law but are still morally condemned.
What role do morals play in education?
Morals are integral to education, shaping values and decision-making skills.
Can something be morally right but culturally frowned upon?
Yes, moral decisions can sometimes conflict with cultural norms, depending on the context.
Can an action be both moral and an iniquity?
Generally, no; actions described as iniquities contradict moral principles.
How do societies respond to iniquity?
Societies often condemn iniquity through legal punishment or social ostracism.
What is iniquity?
Iniquity refers to morally reprehensible behavior that is unjust or wicked.
How does iniquity impact a community?
Iniquity can lead to social unrest and diminish trust within a community.
Is iniquity related to personal or societal standards?
Iniquity generally refers to violations of societal ethical standards.
Can a morally questionable act be legally permissible?
Yes, some acts may be legally permissible but still considered morally questionable.
How are morals developed?
Morals are developed through cultural, familial, and personal influences as well as individual experiences.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
