moral gratification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moral gratification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sense of satisfaction or pleasure derived from doing something morally right or virtuous. Example: "Volunteering at the shelter provided her with a deep sense of moral gratification that she had been seeking."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Thus, as many may fail to muster sufficient intrinsic motivation to develop healthy habits and make healthy choices because the (moral) gratification is too uncertain and/or too remote, they may need to be prodded and incentivized by others in sufficiently early, constant and intensive ways.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"But in the depth of winter, when nature lies despoiled of every charm and wrapped in her shroud of sheeted snow, we turn for our gratifications to moral sources".

The New York Times

Racism is not the problem; instead, a pervasive culture of instant gratification, violence and loose morals — think gangsta rap — keeps poor blacks from enjoying the American dream, not white racists.

The New York Times - Books

She envied the girls, but at the same time you could see that she despised them, burned to shine at their expense, succeed where they would fail, deny herself short-term sensual gratification in the hope of long-term moral triumph.

Independent

Dreiser's characters struggle for self-realization in the face of society's narrow and repressive moral conventions, and they often obtain material success and erotic gratification while a more enduring spiritual satisfaction eludes them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The moral pleasure in art," Sontag wrote in "On Style," "consists in the intelligent gratification of consciousness".

The New York Times - Books

Every vestige of moral sense seems to have disappeared and he cares only for the sensual gratification which masturbation produces.

TechCrunch

There can be no question that Kant wants to distinguish genuinely aesthetic experience from merely physiological gratification of the senses, from the approval of utility, or from moral approval, and that he does this by saying that aesthetic judgment neither presupposes nor gives rise to any interest in the existence of its object.

SEP

This second family message resembles Louie's (2012 89) "shared immigrant working-class cultural model of education that is based on moral and emotional support and that conveys, often in ethnic or folkloric terms, the importance of studying hard and deferring gratification to avoid the parents' lives of manual labor".

Comparative Migration Studies

Ego gratification.

The New York Times

You practice delayed gratification.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moral gratification" to convey a sense of deep satisfaction derived from acting in accordance with one's moral principles. It is best employed when emphasizing the emotional reward of ethical conduct.

Common error

Avoid using "moral gratification" in contexts where it might suggest self-righteousness or a sense of superiority over others. Ensure the focus remains on the genuine satisfaction derived from ethical behavior, rather than an inflated sense of one's own virtue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral gratification" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause, describing a feeling of satisfaction derived from ethical or virtuous behavior. This aligns with Ludwig's observation that it describes satisfaction from doing something morally right.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moral gratification" is a noun phrase describing the satisfaction derived from ethical behavior. Ludwig indicates that it's grammatically correct and used to describe the positive feelings associated with doing what is morally right. Although relatively rare, its usage spans across news media, science and encyclopedias, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, be mindful to avoid connotations of self-righteousness. Alternatives include "ethical satisfaction" or "moral satisfaction", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethical satisfaction

Focuses more specifically on the ethical dimension of the satisfaction.

moral satisfaction

A direct synonym, emphasizing the fulfillment of moral standards.

gratification from ethical behavior

Explicitly mentions that the gratification originates from ethical behavior.

virtuous pleasure

Highlights the enjoyment derived from virtuous actions.

sense of righteousness

Emphasizes the feeling of being morally justified or correct.

ethical fulfillment

Focuses on the sense of completion or satisfaction from adhering to ethical principles.

doing good feels good

An idiomatic expression capturing the positive feeling from performing good deeds.

rewarding ethical conduct

Highlights the reward or positive outcome associated with ethical behavior.

feeling of moral accomplishment

Focuses on the sense of achievement from a moral perspective.

inner peace through morality

Connects moral actions with a state of inner tranquility and contentment.

FAQs

How can I use "moral gratification" in a sentence?

You can use "moral gratification" to describe the feeling of satisfaction that comes from acting in accordance with your moral principles. For example: "Volunteering at the homeless shelter provided her with a deep sense of "moral gratification".

What is another way to say "moral gratification"?

Alternatives to "moral gratification" include "ethical satisfaction", "moral satisfaction", or "virtuous pleasure".

What is the difference between "moral gratification" and "self-satisfaction"?

"Moral gratification" specifically refers to satisfaction derived from ethical or virtuous behavior, while "self-satisfaction" is a broader term that can refer to satisfaction with oneself in general, regardless of moral considerations.

Is "moral gratification" the same as "ego gratification"?

No, "moral gratification" and "ego gratification" are different. "Moral gratification" comes from doing something morally right, while "ego gratification" comes from boosting one's self-esteem or sense of importance, which may or may not involve ethical behavior.