Scruples are hesitations about something about which there is doubt whether it is acceptable or not.
The Latin term scrupŭlus , which refers to a small stone, came to Spanish as scruple . This is the name given to the suspicion or hesitation that a person has regarding whether something is acceptable or not, according to morality .
Scruples, therefore, are linked to the parameters that guide behavior or establish duties. When someone acts without scruples , they do so without worrying about their conscience or without taking into account the criteria that are socially considered good or correct. For example: “The local team players had no scruples and allowed themselves to lose to avoid facing the candidate in the next round” , “Only someone without scruples is capable of abandoning a child” , “I have scruples and would never act behind someone's back”. my colleagues or my bosses.”
Those who have scruples, in short, doubt about carrying out certain acts since they do not want to behave incorrectly. That is why it can manifest uncertainty when making certain decisions. On the other hand, he who lacks scruples has no internal conditioning and pursues his interest without worrying about anything else.
Synonyms and antonyms of scruple
The list of synonyms for the term scruple that we can find in a dictionary is quite extensive, as we can see below: regard, qualm, disgust, apprehension, fastidiousness, squeamishness, affectation, delicacy, reconcomio, conscience, suspicion, prejudice , resentment, dedication , conscientiousness, thoroughness, accuracy, zeal and precision .
Regarding its antonyms, we can highlight the following two: negligence and apathy .
A person may decide not to act because of his scruples.
The concept in religion
The idea of nausea and disgust are part of one of the meanings given to us by the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy, where it relates these reactions in particular to some food, although this apprehension can also be shown towards something else. In a religious sense, this word is usually used to refer to excessive restlessness of conscience.
If we take into account the words of Saint Alphonsus, the scrupulous conscience is the one that fears sin when it is not necessary, since there are no valid foundations or reasons for said concern. This can be noticed before carrying out the action as well as after, such as the fear of committing a very serious sin. Perhaps this use is related to the expression nun's scruple , which the RAE dictionary defines as "childish and exaggerated."
Scruple as a unit of measurement
The idea of scruple, on the other hand, was used in ancient times to refer to different units of measurement . In the field of pharmacy, a scruple was a unit of measurement that was used to record the weight of the ingredients used in the preparation of drugs. In the Iberian Peninsula (in both Portugal and Spain) it was equivalent to 1198 milligrams or 24 grains , while in the United Kingdom (according to the English imperial system), one scruple had a value corresponding to 20 grains .
Apothecaries of the 18th century used various units of measurement to weigh their products, which also included the ounce, the drachma, and the pound. Let's see below the relationship between them: one pound was equal to twelve ounces; one ounce was equal to eight drachmas; one drachma was equal to three scruples. On the other hand, the use of the character (which was equivalent to four grains) and the obolus (which corresponded to twelve grains) was also common.
For astronomy , one degree of circle is divided into sixty scruples . In other words: scruples are each of the sixty parts into which a degree of circle can be divided.
Expressions with the term
Finally we have the expressions scruple of Father Gargajo and scruple of Marigargajo , which in everyday speech refer to an unfounded, ridiculous, unreasonable and extravagant scruple.
It is important to note that these expressions are only used in some regions. In certain countries, in fact, they sound strange.