Guilty consciences always make people cowards.

Guilty consciences always make people cowards.

The Past lives o'er again,
In its effects, and to the guilty spirit
The ever-frowning Present is read more

The Past lives o'er again,
In its effects, and to the guilty spirit
The ever-frowning Present is its image.

Let his tormentor conscience find him out.

Let his tormentor conscience find him out.

Now conscience wakes despair
That slumber'd, wakes the bitter memory
Of what he was, what is, and read more

Now conscience wakes despair
That slumber'd, wakes the bitter memory
Of what he was, what is, and what must be
Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue!

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!

A clear conscience is a soft pillow.

A clear conscience is a soft pillow.

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!

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.]

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.