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.

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.

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.

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.]

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.]

A good conscience is a continued Christmas.

A good conscience is a continued Christmas.

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

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

Whom conscience, ne'er asleep,
Wounds with incessant strokes, not loud, but deep.

Whom conscience, ne'er asleep,
Wounds with incessant strokes, not loud, but deep.