Religions are the great fairy tales of conscience.

Religions are the great fairy tales of conscience.

Guilty consciences always make people cowards.

Guilty consciences always make people cowards.

So may heaven's grace clear away the foam from the conscience,
that the river of thy thoughts may roll read more

So may heaven's grace clear away the foam from the conscience,
that the river of thy thoughts may roll limpid thenceforth,
[It., Se toso grazia risolva le schiume
Di vostra conscienza, si che chiaro
Per essa scenda della mente il fiume.]

Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it

Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it

Conscience is a mother-in-law whose visit never ends.

Conscience is a mother-in-law whose visit never ends.

Resist no temptation: a guilty conscience is more honorable than regret

Resist no temptation: a guilty conscience is more honorable than regret

They have cheveril consciences that will stretch.

They have cheveril consciences that will stretch.

O Conscience, into what abyss of fears
And horrors hast thou driven me, out of which
I read more

O Conscience, into what abyss of fears
And horrors hast thou driven me, out of which
I find no way, from deep to deeper plunged.

Reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does.

Reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does.