Examination of Conscience on Character Flaws

1. Hatred, intolerance and racism
– Have I treated someone as if they were worth less because they are of another race, culture or religion?
– Do I realise that no one chose the colour of their skin or the country where they were born?
– Have I rejected or despised someone just because they are different from me?
– Do I shut myself off from those who do not think like me?

2. Anger, resentment and lack of forgiveness
– Have I hated or wished ill on someone who has wronged me?
– Do I hold a grudge for a long time?
– Do I inwardly rejoice when someone who has hurt me is suffering?
– Do I take revenge with words, silence or attitudes?
– Do I hold resentment against any person, group, institution or idea?
– Do I get angry easily?
– Do I realise that I am obliged to forgive, because God forgave me first (“if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins”, Mt 6:15)?

3. Pride and arrogance
– Do I always want to be right and never admit I was wrong?
– Do I feel superior to others?
– Do I speak ill of others to belittle or destroy them?
– Do I justify my mistakes just to avoid saying “I was wrong”?
– Do I try to appear better than I am?
– When I am corrected, do I get annoyed or feel hurt?

4. Selfishness and lack of charity
– Do I always and only think of my own interests, even at the expense of others?
– Do I notice the needs of those around me?
– Do I blame others for my mistakes instead of taking responsibility?

5. Envy and slander
– Do I feel annoyance or jealousy when things go well for others?
– Do I speak ill of someone or ridicule them out of envy?
– Do I constantly compare my life with that of others?
– Do I realise that envy is also an effect of a lack of gratitude for what I have?
– Do I speak ill of others behind their backs?
– Do I exaggerate the faults of others?
– Do I judge without really knowing?
– Do I always look for the negative side in people?
– Do I use words to hurt or discredit?

6. Hypocrisy and duplicity
– Do I show one face outside and another at home?
– Does what I show to others truly correspond to who I am?
– Do I do good deeds just for show, hiding my real flaws?

7. Self-justification and lack of sincerity
– Do I always justify myself instead of truly changing?
– Do I say “I’ll change tomorrow”, but then do nothing?
– Do I always reach the conclusions that are most convenient for me?

8. Impatience and touchiness
– Do I get irritated easily in everyday situations?
– Do I get offended easily or immediately think ill of others?
– Do I forget my own shortcomings when I judge those of others?

9. Anxiety, fear and lack of trust in God
– Do I often live in anxiety and worry without entrusting myself to God?
– Do I have exaggerated fears for the future?
– When I am troubled, do I seek God or do I withdraw into myself?

10. Complaining and self-pity
– Do I complain constantly and see what I lack more than what I have?
– Do I often feel like a victim of situations or convinced that no one loves me?

11. Attachment to possessions and laziness
– Am I too attached to comforts and live with little spirit of sacrifice?
– Do I put off what I have to do and always look for the easiest way?
– Do I avoid commitments that require effort?

12. Neglect in the spiritual life
– Do I neglect prayer and the sacraments?
– Do I live my faith only on the surface, without letting it truly change my character?
– Do I remember God during the day?
– Do I truly believe that even the smallest things done for the love of God have value?