Shame

So today I was doing stuff when the topic of Shame came up.
Obviously, shame is what we feel when we feel we did something wrong.
The question is, is shame a redeeming quality?
Answering that question delves into the very roots of conscience and morality, but I don't think we need to take it that far now.
I would argue that shame is indeed a redeeming quality, because it is the last resort against being a full-on sociopath or something similar.
If you did not feel shame, nothing would be off limits.
No law, no boundary, nothing would keep you from doing what you wanted.
Laws could be made, statutes set forth, commandments given, and all for naught, for without shame, we have no preventative for crimes of the highest degree.

On the flip side, shame should not be the only thing preventing us from doing wrong.
Shame can be a useful thing, but it should not be the only thing.
A dog is ashamed because he has done wrong in his owner's eyes, but he doesn't get that it's because he ate the food that was sitting right on the table.
Shame has to be tempered with logic, common sense, and reasoning.
Once these are brought into play, shame can take a smaller role in being moral, while things such as loyalty to country, faith, and family take the larger role.
Thoughts?
Questions?
Sarcastic remarks?