inwardness

The characteristic of being inward or directed towards the inside.

The internal or true state; the essential nature.

the inwardness of conduct

Sense cannot arrive at th’inwardness of things.

Familiarity; intimacy.

Signior Leonato, let the friar advise you: / And though you know my inwardness and love / Is very much unto the prince and Claudio, / Yet, by mine honour, I will deal in this / As secretly and justly as your soul / Should with your body.

Earnestness; heartiness.

The prophets perpetually reminded their nation of the superiority of judgment and justice to any exterior ceremony like sacrifice. […] [W]hat was wanted was more inwardness, more feeling. This was given by adding mercy and humbleness to judgment and justice.