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! think what anxious moments pass between
The birth of plots, and their last fatal periods,
Oh! read more

Oh! think what anxious moments pass between
The birth of plots, and their last fatal periods,
Oh! 'tis a dreadful interval of time,
Filled up with horror all, and big with death!

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.]

He that has light within his own clear breast
May sit i' the centre, and enjoy bright day:
read more

He that has light within his own clear breast
May sit i' the centre, and enjoy bright day:
But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts
Benighted walks under the mid-day sun;
Himself his own dungeon.

Why should not Conscience have vacation
As well as other Courts o' th' nation?
Have equal power read more

Why should not Conscience have vacation
As well as other Courts o' th' nation?
Have equal power to adjourn,
Appoint appearance and return?

Be this thy brazen bulwark, to keep a clear conscience, and never
turn pale with guilt.
[Lat., Hic read more

Be this thy brazen bulwark, to keep a clear conscience, and never
turn pale with guilt.
[Lat., Hic murus aeneus esto,
Nil conscire sibi, nulla pallescere culpa.]

A conscience without God is like a court without a judge.

A conscience without God is like a court without a judge.

A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder.

A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder.

He who sacrifices his conscience to ambition burns a picture to obtain the ashes.

He who sacrifices his conscience to ambition burns a picture to obtain the ashes.