compliment - Is there a word meaning “disposed to correct one’s own behaviour quickly”?


What is the English word for a person who when they fail and realize their failure, they then regret and quickly correct their own behaviour without any wavering?


Edit: I accepted an answer although the exact word I am looking for has not been found. I will change the answer should one be found.


The closest matches are conscientious, repentant. To express exactly what I am looking for consider the scenario: You have had an argument, then you realize that what you did to your friend is wrong and he was correct. Without any thinking at that very second you run back to your friend saying: "I am sorry I have done wrong." asking for apology. It may take you 2 minutes to correct yourself - maybe you would go over your reasoning a few times to convince a good part of yourself to take over, and you would still be considered repentant and conscientious. But what I mean is a correction without a second thought once you realize you are wrong.



Answer



I would choose principled; one who believes in and lives by a set of principles, does not willingly violate those principles without some regret, and self-corrects when necessary.


"adjective: 1(of a person or their behavior) acting in accordance with morality and showing recognition of right and wrong: a principled politician; 2(of a system or method) based on a given set of rules: a coherent and principled approach http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/principled


Your inclusion of regret in your description implies conscience, but the word conscientious is more often used to describe attention to detail and overall thoroughness, and is not appropriate.


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