penitence

/ˈpe-nə-tən(t)s/

Middle English, from Anglo-French penitance, from Medieval Latin poenitentia, alteration of Latin paenitentia regret, from paenitent-, paenitens, present participle

noun

  1. the quality or state of being penitent : sorrow for sins or faults

Forgiveness requires penitence.

penitence repentance contrition compunction remorse mean regret for sin or wrongdoing. penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds. repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.