common decency

[ kom-uhn dee-suhn-see ]

noun

1. moral or ethical behavior that is guided by fairness, empathy, propriety, justice, etc.:

   What ever happened to restraint, respect, and common decency?

   Let's show some common decency and humanity and make the law nondiscriminatory.

Word History and Origins

Origin of common decency¹

First recorded in 1630–40

Example Sentences

All too often, smart business tactics produce cowardly leaders who take liberal democracy and common decency for granted.

From Slate

I try to treat people with common decency and respect, and I’m gonna to keep doing that moving forward even though I fell short this week.”

From Los Angeles Times

Part of me has always hoped that the American people would simply reject, out of good sense and common decency, the candidacy of a criminal who has attempted a coup.

From Salon

The bonds of nationality, community and common decency were understood to supersede partisanship.

From Salon

On Tuesday, Mr Albanese told ABC News that Mr Musk "thinks he's above the law but also above common decency".

From BBC