--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Imperfect contrition (attritio) is a true…" description: "\"“Imperfect contrition (attritio) is a true supernatural sorrow from a motive of incipient charity or fear, coupled with a firm purpose of amendment. 9 ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/joseph-pohle-3769_fear_imperfect-contrition-attritio-is-a-true_1829498.jpg" --- # Imperfect contrition (attritio) is a true supernatural… ![“Imperfect contrition (attritio) is a true supernatural sorrow from a motive of incipient charity or fear, coupled with a firm purpose of amendment. 9 It removes moral indisposition (remotio obicis) and renders the sinner worthy of receiving either Baptism or Penance, thereby enabling these…” quote by Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/joseph-pohle-3769_fear_imperfect-contrition-attritio-is-a-true_1829498.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/joseph-pohle-3769_fear_imperfect-contrition-attritio-is-a-true_1829498.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/joseph-pohle-3769_fear_imperfect-contrition-attritio-is-a-true_1829498.jpg) > ““Imperfect contrition (attritio) is a true supernatural sorrow from a motive of incipient charity or fear, coupled with a firm purpose of amendment. 9 It removes moral indisposition (remotio obicis) and renders the sinner worthy of receiving either Baptism or Penance, thereby enabling these Sacraments to effect his justification ex opere operate.”” [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True sorrow for sin, motivated by emerging love or fear, leads to repentance and makes one worthy of sacraments. **In simple terms:** Sincere regret opens path to forgiveness. Key Takeaway Cultivate genuine contrition. Themes repentance spirituality justification Mood reflective serious Type theological didactic When to use this quote - confession - spiritual direction - pastoral counseling Key Concepts sacramental theology moral psychology Questions to Reflect On - What motivates your deepest remorse? - How can you nurture incipient charity? A Different Perspective True contrition may be hard to discern from mere guilt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attritio True](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attritio-true-2261209/) [Contrition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrition/) [Contrition Attritio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrition-attritio-2261207/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Imperfect Contrition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imperfect-contrition-2261206/) [Justification Ex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justification-ex-2261211/) ## Related quotes > [“Perfect contrition (contritio), which is a true supernatural sorrow from a motive of perfect charity, justifies a man independently of the Sacraments.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a-true-supernatural-sorrow-from/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [I know California isn't a real destination. You can't get there from New Jersey, not simply by following a line drawn on a map.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-braverman/i-know-california-isn-t-a-real-destination-you-can-t-get-there-from/) [Kate Braverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-braverman/) > [Apologizing is different from begging, it doesn't change your status, go ahead and get on your knees, spill tears if you got it, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/apologizing-is-different-from-begging-it-doesn-t-change-your-status/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [Our preaching does not stop with the law. That would lead to wounding without binding up, striking down and not healing, killing and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/our-preaching-does-not-stop-with-the-law-that-would-lead-to-wounding/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [“I divested myself of despair and fear when I came here. Now there is no more catching one's own eye in the mirror, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-kenyon/i-divested-myself-of-despair-and-fear-when-i-came-here-now-there-is/) [Jane Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-kenyon/) > [Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-de-montfort/even-if-you-are-on-the-brink-of-damnation-even-if-you-have-one-foot/) [Louis de Montfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-de-montfort/) > [We fancy that our afflictions are sent us directly from above; sometimes we think it in piety and contrition, but oftener in moroseness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/we-fancy-that-our-afflictions-are-sent-us-directly-from-above/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [God is not looking for repayment, but repentance. What heals a broken relationship is sincere love and contrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederica-mathewes-green/god-is-not-looking-for-repayment-but-repentance-what-heals-a-broken/) [Frederica Mathewes-Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederica-mathewes-green/) > [We in the church have humility and contrition to offer the world, not a formula for success. Almost alone in our success-oriented society, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/we-in-the-church-have-humility-and-contrition-to-offer-the-world-not/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [True repentance includes sorrow for sin and contrition of heart. It breaks the heart with sighs and sobs and groans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/true-repentance-includes-sorrow-for-sin-and-contrition-of-heart-it/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [Evil is retributive: every trespass slips fetters on the will, holds the soul in durance till contrition and repentance restore it to liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-bronson-alcott/evil-is-retributive-every-trespass-slips-fetters-on-the-will-holds/) [Amos Bronson Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-bronson-alcott/) > [“He died, as the Spanish phrase has it, full of illusions. He had not had time in his life to lose any of them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/he-died-as-the-spanish-phrase-has-it-full-of-illusions-he-had-not-had/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Three conditions are necessary for Penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin, together with a purpose of amendment; confession of sins without any omission;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/three-conditions-are-necessary-for-penance-contrition-which-is-sorrow/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Every contrition for sin is apt to encourage a not quite charitable wish that other people should exhibit a similar contrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-williams/every-contrition-for-sin-is-apt-to-encourage-a-not-quite-charitable/) [Charles Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-williams/) > [“One moment of prayer, of weak worship, confused contrition, tepid thanksgiving, or pitiful petition will bring us closer to God than all the books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/one-moment-of-prayer-of-weak-worship-confused-contrition-tepid/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) ## More by Joseph Pohle > [“We are compelled to concur in another view of Cardinal De Lugo, namely, that the value of the Mass is dependent on the greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/we-are-compelled-to-concur-in-another-view-of-cardinal-de-lugo-namely/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“the scientific development of the doctrine of indulgences. 29 St. Thomas knows but one plenary indulgence, i. e. that granted for the liberation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-scientific-development-of-the-doctrine-of-indulgences-29-st/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“The Church has always regarded the admin istration of a Sacrament in the state of mortal sin as a sacrilege, and insists on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-church-has-always-regarded-the-admin-istration-of-a-sacrament-in/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“Origen says: " The Church hath received it as a tradition from the Apostles that infants, too, ought to be baptized." 21”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/origen-says-the-church-hath-received-it-as-a-tradition-from-the/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“St. Bruno of Asti, who says: " The first tabernacle, therefore, is the Synagogue; the second, the Church; the third, Heaven. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/st-bruno-of-asti-who-says-the-first-tabernacle-therefore-is-the/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“ceases to be merciful, no matter what sins have been conv mitted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/ceases-to-be-merciful-no-matter-what-sins-have-been-conv-mitted/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“Does the external sign receive from God a peculiar super natural power enabling it physically to produce sanctify ing grace in the soul, either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/does-the-external-sign-receive-from-god-a-peculiar-super-natural/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“While it is possible for the con fessor in some cases to obtain such knowledge without confession, this is not the rule, because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/while-it-is-possible-for-the-con-fessor-in-some-cases-to-obtain-such/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“minister begins with an actual intention, but is distracted while administering the Sacrament, he has a virtual in tention. Thirdly, an habitual intention is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/minister-begins-with-an-actual-intention-but-is-distracted-while/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“The confectio of a Sacrament, i. e. the combina tion of matter and form into the sacramental sign, is not necessarily of itself a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-confectio-of-a-sacrament-i-e-the-combina-tion-of-matter-and-form/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“The Second Council of Mileve (416) anath ematized all "who deny that new-born infants should be baptized immediately after birth." n The Tridentine Council…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-second-council-of-mileve-416-anath-ematized-all-who-deny-that-new/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“bread and wine." These species must, therefore, be acci dents, and, having by Transubstantiation lost their con natural subjects, which cannot be supplied by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/bread-and-wine-these-species-must-therefore-be-acci-dents-and-having/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“heretics can validly administer all the other Sacraments, with the sole exception of Penance, 30 which cannot, barring cases of urgent necessity, be validly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/heretics-can-validly-administer-all-the-other-sacraments-with-the/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“Alterations in the formula of Baptism may or may not affect its substance. Substantial changes render the Sacrament invalid ; purely accidental changes do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/alterations-in-the-formula-of-baptism-may-or-may-not-affect-its/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“i. e. a sacrifice offered " from the rising of the sun to the going down" and " in every place." Moreover, the Sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/i-e-a-sacrifice-offered-from-the-rising-of-the-sun-to-the-going-down/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) [Explore all 122 Joseph Pohle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) ## More Contrition quotes > [“One moment of prayer, of weak worship, confused contrition, tepid thanksgiving, or pitiful petition will bring us closer to God than all the books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/one-moment-of-prayer-of-weak-worship-confused-contrition-tepid/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [Every contrition for sin is apt to encourage a not quite charitable wish that other people should exhibit a similar contrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-williams/every-contrition-for-sin-is-apt-to-encourage-a-not-quite-charitable/) [Charles Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-williams/) > [Three conditions are necessary for Penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin, together with a purpose of amendment; confession of sins without any omission;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/three-conditions-are-necessary-for-penance-contrition-which-is-sorrow/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [“He died, as the Spanish phrase has it, full of illusions. He had not had time in his life to lose any of them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/he-died-as-the-spanish-phrase-has-it-full-of-illusions-he-had-not-had/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Evil is retributive: every trespass slips fetters on the will, holds the soul in durance till contrition and repentance restore it to liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-bronson-alcott/evil-is-retributive-every-trespass-slips-fetters-on-the-will-holds/) [Amos Bronson Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-bronson-alcott/) > [True repentance includes sorrow for sin and contrition of heart. It breaks the heart with sighs and sobs and groans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/true-repentance-includes-sorrow-for-sin-and-contrition-of-heart-it/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [We in the church have humility and contrition to offer the world, not a formula for success. Almost alone in our success-oriented society, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/we-in-the-church-have-humility-and-contrition-to-offer-the-world-not/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [God is not looking for repayment, but repentance. What heals a broken relationship is sincere love and contrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederica-mathewes-green/god-is-not-looking-for-repayment-but-repentance-what-heals-a-broken/) [Frederica Mathewes-Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederica-mathewes-green/) > [We fancy that our afflictions are sent us directly from above; sometimes we think it in piety and contrition, but oftener in moroseness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/we-fancy-that-our-afflictions-are-sent-us-directly-from-above/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-de-montfort/even-if-you-are-on-the-brink-of-damnation-even-if-you-have-one-foot/) [Louis de Montfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-de-montfort/) > [“I divested myself of despair and fear when I came here. Now there is no more catching one's own eye in the mirror, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-kenyon/i-divested-myself-of-despair-and-fear-when-i-came-here-now-there-is/) [Jane Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-kenyon/) > [Our preaching does not stop with the law. That would lead to wounding without binding up, striking down and not healing, killing and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/our-preaching-does-not-stop-with-the-law-that-would-lead-to-wounding/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Apologizing is different from begging, it doesn't change your status, go ahead and get on your knees, spill tears if you got it, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/apologizing-is-different-from-begging-it-doesn-t-change-your-status/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [I know California isn't a real destination. You can't get there from New Jersey, not simply by following a line drawn on a map.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-braverman/i-know-california-isn-t-a-real-destination-you-can-t-get-there-from/) [Kate Braverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-braverman/) > [I bet Richard Fuld doesn't have an ounce of contrition. It's just megalomania. When it's like that, you need rules to prevent catastrophe. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/i-bet-richard-fuld-doesn-t-have-an-ounce-of-contrition-it-s-just/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 43 Contrition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Imperfect contrition (attritio) is a true supernatural sorrow from a motive of incipient charity or fear, coupled with a firm purpose of amendment. 9 It removes moral indisposition (remotio obicis) and renders the sinner worthy of receiving either Baptism or Penance, thereby enabling these Sacraments to effect his justification ex opere operate.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joseph Pohle" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/imperfect-contrition-attritio-is-a-true-supernatural-sorrow-from-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Contrition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/imperfect-contrition-attritio-is-a-true-supernatural-sorrow-from-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/joseph-pohle-3769_fear_imperfect-contrition-attritio-is-a-true_1829498.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/joseph-pohle-3769_fear_imperfect-contrition-attritio-is-a-true_1829498.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/joseph-pohle-3769_fear_imperfect-contrition-attritio-is-a-true_1829498.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Imperfect contrition (attritio) is a true supernatural sorrow from a motive of incipient charity or fear…” — Joseph Pohle", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joseph Pohle", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Imperfect contrition (attritio) is a true...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/imperfect-contrition-attritio-is-a-true-supernatural-sorrow-from-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/imperfect-contrition-attritio-is-a-true-supernatural-sorrow-from-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```