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Definitions for: Conscience
[n] conformity to one's own sense of right conduct; "a person of unflagging conscience"
[n] a feeling of shame when you do something immoral; "he has no conscience about his cruelty"
[n] motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
Webster (1913) Definition: Con"science, n. [F. conscience, fr. L. conscientia,
fr. consciens, p. pr. of conscire to know, to be conscious;
con- + scire to know. See Science.]
1. Knowledge of one's own thoughts or actions; consciousness.
[Obs.]
The sweetest cordial we receive, at last, Is
conscience of our virtuous actions past. --Denham.
2. The faculty, power, or inward principle which decides as
to the character of one's own actions, purposes, and
affections, warning against and condemning that which is
wrong, and approving and prompting to that which is right;
the moral faculty passing judgment on one's self; the
moral sense.
My conscience hath a thousand several tongues, And
every tongue brings in a several tale, And every
tale condemns me for a villain. --Shak.
As science means knowledge, conscience
etymologically means self-knowledge . . . But the
English word implies a moral standard of action in
the mind as well as a consciousness of our own
actions. . . . Conscience is the reason, employed
about questions of right and wrong, and accompanied
with the sentiments of approbation and condemnation.
--Whewell.
3. The estimate or determination of conscience; conviction or
right or duty.
Conscience supposes the existence of some such
[i.e., moral] faculty, and properly signifies our
consciousness of having acted agreeably or contrary
to its directions. --Adam Smith.
4. Tenderness of feeling; pity. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Conscience clause, a clause in a general law exempting
persons whose religious scruples forbid compliance
therewith, -- as from taking judicial oaths, rendering
military service, etc.
Conscience money, stolen or wrongfully acquired money that
is voluntarily restored to the rightful possessor. Such
money paid into the United States treasury by unknown
debtors is called the Conscience fund.
Court of Conscience, a court established for the recovery
of small debts, in London and other trading cities and
districts. [Eng.] --Blackstone.
In conscience, In all conscience, in deference or
obedience to conscience or reason; in reason; reasonably.
``This is enough in conscience.'' --Howell. ``Half a dozen
fools are, in all conscience, as many as you should
require.'' --Swift.
To make conscience of, To make a matter of conscience, to
act according to the dictates of conscience concerning
(any matter), or to scruple to act contrary to its
dictates.
Synonyms: moral sense, scruples, sense of right and wrong
See Also: conscientiousness, ethical motive, ethics, morality, morality, morals, sense of duty, sense of shame, shame, small voice, superego, unconscientiousness, voice of conscience, wee small voice
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