mindmap root((道德)) moral implies conformity to established codes or accepted notions of right and wrong: the basic ~ values of a community. ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult and subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity and usually implies the existence or conformance to an elevated code of standards: his strict ~ code would not tolerate it. virtuous implies the possession or manifestation of moral excellence in character: a person not conventionally religious, but ~ in all other respects. righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests sanctimoniousness: responded to the charge with ~ indignation. noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean or dubious in conduct or character: had only the ~st of reasons for pursuing the case.