quotations about conscience
Some men are born under the law; their whole life is a continued struggle between the lower principles of their nature and the higher. These are what are called men of principle; each of their best actions is a distinct choice between conflicting motives. One propension would bear them here; another there; a third would hold them still: into the midst the living will goes forth in its power, and selects whichever it holds to be best. The habitual supremacy of conscience in such men gives them an idea that they only exert their will when they do right; when they do wrong they seem to "let their nature go "; they say that "they are hurried away": but, in fact, there is commonly an act of will in both cases ;--only it is weaker when they act ill, because in passably good men, if the better principles are reasonably strong, they conquer; it is only when very faint that they are vanquished.
WALTER BAGEHOT
Literary Studies
Justice is a temporary thing that must at last come to an end; but the conscience is eternal and will never die.
MARTIN LUTHER
On Marriage
Notwithstanding, pestilence may surprise even the castle of motive; and it is a strange power (rising up out of the depth which speech cannot explore, nor thought even think of, as the eye cannot see vision) that by conscience we can lay down rules for conscience and train it by good exercise, which is, for aught we know, as if a member of the body, feeling its own weakness, should set itself at exercise to gain strength.
JAMES VILA BLAKE
Essays
Conscience is the only clue which will eternally guide a man clear of all doubts and inconsistencies.
THOMAS JEFFERSON
letter to George Washington, May 10, 1789
Conscience is the internal perception of the rejection of a particular wish operating within us.
SIGMUND FREUD
Totem and Taboo
Having a conscience is not the same as using it.
JOSTEIN GAARDER
Sophie's World
A minority may do for a society what the conscience does for an individual.
JOHN HOWARD YODER
The Priestly Kingdom
Conscience ... seldom comes to a man's aid while he is in the zenith of health and revelling in pomp and luxury upon illgotten spoils. It is generally the last act of his life, and it comes too late to be of much service to others here, or to himself hereafter.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
letter to John P. Posey, Aug. 7, 1782
There is one thing alone that stands the brunt of life throughout its course: a quiet conscience.
EURIPIDES
Hippolytus
Conscience is ... the God dwelling in us.
BENJAMIN WHICHCOTE
Moral and Religious Aphorisms
Storms in the Conscience will always lodge clouds in the countenance.
WELLINS CALCOTT
Thoughts Moral and Divine
The relationship between the individual and God, the God-relationship, is the conscience.
SØREN KIERKEGAARD
Works of Love
Conscience and cowardice are really the same things.... Conscience is the trade-name of the firm. That is all.
OSCAR WILDE
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Conscience is the perfect interpreter of life.
KARL BARTH
The Word of God and the Word of Man
Conscience after an evil act is like pulling stockings over muddy boots.
AUSTIN O'MALLEY
Keystones of Thought
Scourges, racks, and flames, can inflict no pains to be compared with the stings and tortures of a guilty conscience.
JOHN THORNTON
Maxims and Directions for Youth
Conscience is a coward, and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent it seldom has justice enough to accuse.
OLIVER GOLDSMITH
The Vicar of Wakefield
Conscience therefore is a high and awful power; it is solo Deo minor, next and immediately under God, our judge.
WELLINS CALCOTT
Thoughts Moral and Divine
If conscience may sicken by induration as often is seen, until there be no sensitiveness, why may it not sicken also the other way by being nursed indoors, as it were, till it grows soft and takes a shock from the natural air? Perhaps conscience is in this state when persons object to aught in its own place, or conceive too readily that it has no place, as for example dancing and other pleasures. For there are many to whom a pleasure itself savors of evil and every gayety is a peril.
JAMES VILA BLAKE
Essays
The wound of conscience is no sear, and Time cools it not with his wing, but merely keeps it open with his scythe.
JOHANN PAUL FRIEDRICH RICHTER
Titan