A Still and Quiet Conscience

J. A. Petit-Senn, more than a century ago, said, “A good conscience never costs as much as it is worth.”

There is always the question of a quiet conscience, which in a sense is simply self-respect, the respect that comes with being free from the inward accusation that follows our offenses. 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 [pleasant friend], 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 this 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 Paul: “Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.” And “…finally, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,…think on these things.”

All this may sound like a citation of platitudes and old-fashioned adages, but such considerations are essential 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 without these can anyone find peace of satisfaction inside himself. And what sometimes seems impractical, proves, in fact, to be the only practical of workable relationship among men.

No matter what 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 a quiet conscience is essential to sincere self-respect.