soul-searching

Etymology

 * the noun is derived from the adjective.

Adjective

 * 1) Involving probing introspection, or a critical consideration of one's conscience, especially motives and values.

Noun

 * 1) Probing introspection; a critical consideration of one's conscience; also, an instance of such consideration.
 * 2) * 1974 September 8, Jerald F[ranklin] terHorst, letter of resignation as, quoted in Jerald F. terHorst, Gerald Ford and the Future of the Presidency, New York, N.Y.: Third Press, 1974, ISBN 978-0-89388-191-7 , page 236:
 * So it is with great regret, after long soul-searching, that I must inform you that I cannot in good conscience support your decision to pardon former President [Richard] Nixon even before he has been charged with the commission of any crime.
 * 1) * 1974 September 8, Jerald F[ranklin] terHorst, letter of resignation as, quoted in Jerald F. terHorst, Gerald Ford and the Future of the Presidency, New York, N.Y.: Third Press, 1974, ISBN 978-0-89388-191-7 , page 236:
 * So it is with great regret, after long soul-searching, that I must inform you that I cannot in good conscience support your decision to pardon former President [Richard] Nixon even before he has been charged with the commission of any crime.