Unbelief, we must note, isn't a matter of missing one or two ideas in one's grab-bag of ideas. Argue not with me but with Jesus. Only the Spirit can convince us of the truth by convicting us of our violation of the truth. In anticipation of Pentecost Jesus told his followers that the Spirit would convict and convince the world of righteousness. Now we all think we needn't be told what righteousness is.
Righteousness is rectitude, rectitude of some sort.
The most righteous are those who possess rectitude of all sorts. Throughout his earthly ministry, and particularly in the last week of it, our Lord was savaged again and again by people who thought they knew what righteousness was. And that's precisely why they executed him. That's why she had pleaded with her son months earlier to stop embarrassing the family and come home quietly. When the Spirit comes, he will convince the world of righteousness because I go to the Father.