A Still and Quiet Conscience

We would turn for a moment or two to the question of a quiet conscience, which is in a sense, simply self-respect, the real respect that comes with being free from the inward accusation that surely follows offenses.

J.A. Petit-Senn, more than a century ago, said, “A good conscience never costs as much as it is worth.” Shakespeare said it in this sentence: “I feel within me a peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience.” And Austin Phelps added: ” A disciplined conscience is a man’s best friend.—It may not be his most amiable, but it is his most faithful monitor.” And from Joseph Addison comes this comment,” A good conscience is to the soul what health is to the body; it preserves constant ease and serenity within us,…” And from Sir Walter Raleigh,”…the justice of God doth require none other accuser than our own consciences…”

To these we would add two short citations from the Epistles of Paul: “Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.” And “…finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,…think on these things.”

All this may sound to some like a citation of platitudes and of old-fashioned axioms, but such factors are indispensable to all satisfactory personal and professional and public relationships in life—and to the whole working of the world.

Without the basic virtues no one can continue confidently to do business with anyone else, nor can anyone find peace or abiding satisfaction inside himself. And what sometimes seems impractical or idealistic, proves, in fact, to be the only practical or workable relationship between men and between the organizations they create to front for them.

Despite all the cynical may say, there is always the irrevocable accounting a man keeps inside himself—and honesty and fairness and freedom from offense are essential to a quiet conscience and to sincere self-respect.