3 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Conscience \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.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
conscience
n 1: motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral
principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
[syn: {scruples}, {moral sense}, {sense of right and
wrong}]
2: conformity to one's own sense of right conduct: "a person of
unflagging conscience"
3: a feeling of shame when you do something immoral; "he has no
conscience about his cruelty"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:
Conscience
that faculty of the mind, or inborn sense of right and wrong by
which we judge of the moral character of human conduct. It is
common to all men. Like all our other faculties, it has been
perverted by the Fall (John 16:2; Acts 26:9; Rom. 2:15). It is
spoken of as defiled" (Titus 1:15), and seared" (1 Tim. 4:2).
A "conscience void of offence" is to be sought and cultivated
(Acts 24:16; Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:12; 1 Tim. 1:5, 19; 1 Pet.
3:21).
more about conscience
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