Dear Ven. Kumara and Nina,

thanks again. Yes, "moral prudence" sounds good to me, the discussion on the meaning of ottappa is very helpful too.

"Sense of shame" for hiri can also carry negative connotations, can we improve the English further? Thank you.

metta,
Yong Peng.

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, Kumara Bhikkhu wrote:

Often ottappa is translated as "moral fear/dread". For me, it still suggests a defiled state. How about "moral prudence", as oppose to recklessness? (Then anottappa can be translated as "moral imprudence".) With this translation, the state of mind would be based on a sense of care and wisdom, rather than fear or dread.