Religions are the great fairy tales of conscience.

Religions are the great fairy tales of conscience.

No ear can hear nor tongue can tell the tortures of the inward hell!

No ear can hear nor tongue can tell the tortures of the inward hell!

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.]

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking.

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking.

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.

Yet still there whispers the small voice within,
Heard through Gain's silence, and o'er Glory's din;
Whatever read more

Yet still there whispers the small voice within,
Heard through Gain's silence, and o'er Glory's din;
Whatever creed be taught or land be trod,
Man's conscience is the oracle of God.

Two souls, alas! reside within my breast, and each withdraws
from and repels its brother.
[Ger., Zwei Seelen read more

Two souls, alas! reside within my breast, and each withdraws
from and repels its brother.
[Ger., Zwei Seelen wohnen, ach! in meiner Brust,
Die eine will sich von der andern trennen.]

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.]