The Perils of Being Hyperscrupulous

Scrupulous means having a strict sense of what is right and wrong, and being very careful to always do the right thing. Hyperscrupulous takes this idea to an extreme, where someone is so obsessed with doing the right thing that they become overly cautious and hesitant to act at all.

For example, if you are hyperscrupulous about not lying, you might be so afraid of telling a white lie that you never say anything that might be considered dishonest, even if it means missing out on an opportunity or hurting someone's feelings.

The word hyperscrupulous is not commonly used in everyday language, but it can be useful for describing someone who is overly concerned with being moral and ethical to the point of becoming paralyzed by their own scruples.