FeelingGuide

Repentant vs Shame

Repentant

negative emotion

Repentant refers to a feeling of remorse or regret for having done something wrong or harmful. It encompasses a desire to atone for one's actions and to seek forgiveness from others or oneself.

Shame

negative emotion

Shame is a complex emotional response that arises when an individual perceives that they have failed to meet personal or societal standards, leading to feelings of worthlessness, embarrassment, and a desire to hide or escape from the situation.

Key Differences

AspectRepentantShame
Sentimentnegativenegative
Typeemotionemotion
NatureRepentant tends to be constructive when it motivates individuals to change their behaviors and seek forgiveness. However...Shame tends to be more destructive than constructive. While it can promote awareness of social norms and encourage accou...

Repentant's Perspective

Repentant is often confused with guilt, as both involve feelings of remorse. However, guilt tends to focus on the feeling of having done something wrong, while repentant includes the desire to atone and seek forgiveness, indicating a more proactive stance toward personal accountability and change.

Shame's Perspective

Shame is often confused with guilt, but they are distinct emotions. While guilt relates to feeling bad about specific actions, shame is more about feeling bad about oneself as a whole. Guilt can motivate corrective action, whereas shame may lead to avoidance and withdrawal.

Explore Both