He would write: "It was a willful act of ignorance and grotesque irresponsibility.

"Take" is the appropriate verb, too, because it implies a willful, conscious act rather than any passive sense of "being penalized."

Animal and human suicides are no longer seen as willful acts but as responses to conditions.

It is a willful act, going against the will of God to have all men share happiness" (p. 235).

Yet where's the concrete explanation for this willful act?

It takes a conscious and willful act.

Set against this dismal present and a bleak future, buying a home is a willful act of optimism.

The violations are intentional and willful acts that once having occurred cannot be retracted.

Some abuse is the willful act of cruelty inflicted by a single individual upon an older person.

Habs fans were outraged, going so far as to call the police and demand an investigation into what they deemed a willful act of assault.