Reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does.

Reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does.

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

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

According to the state of a man's conscience, so do hope and fear
on account of his deeds arise read more

According to the state of a man's conscience, so do hope and fear
on account of his deeds arise in his mind.
[Lat., Conscia mens ut cuique sua est, ita concipit intra
Pectora pro facto spemque metumque suo.]

Clear conscience never fears midnight knocking.

Clear conscience never fears midnight knocking.

But at sixteen the conscience rarely gnaws
So much, as when we call our old debts in
read more

But at sixteen the conscience rarely gnaws
So much, as when we call our old debts in
At sixty years, and draw the accounts of evil,
And find a deuced balance with the devil.

Nothing makes one so vain as being told one is a sinner. Conscience makes egotists of us all.

Nothing makes one so vain as being told one is a sinner. Conscience makes egotists of us all.

Conscience is thoroughly well-bred and soon leaves off talking to those who do not wish to hear it.

Conscience is thoroughly well-bred and soon leaves off talking to those who do not wish to hear it.

Oh, Conscience! Conscience! man's most faithful friend,
Him canst thou comfort, ease, relieve, defend;
But if he read more

Oh, Conscience! Conscience! man's most faithful friend,
Him canst thou comfort, ease, relieve, defend;
But if he will thy friendly checks forego,
Thou art, oh! woe for me, his deadliest foe!

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.]