Perfect contrition

Perfect contrition (from Latin contero "grind, crush, pound to pieces"; also called contrition of charity) in Catholic theology is a repentance for sin that is motivated by faith and the love of God. It contrasts with imperfect contrition (also called attrition), which arises from a less pure motive, such as common decency, or fear of Hell. The two types of contrition are distinguished by a person's motive for repentance, rather than the intensity of ones feelings or emotions. It is possible for perfect and imperfect contrition to be experienced simultaneously.