It is within our power either to lull our conscience or to allow it to shine in us and enlighten us, if we are obedient to it. For when our conscience says to us to do something and we scorn it, and when it speaks again, and we do not do it, but continue to trample upon it then we are lulling it, and it can no longer speak clearly to us, due to the burden lying on it; but like a lamp shining behind a curtain, it begins to show us things ever more dimly. And as no one is able to recognize his own face in water muddied by much silt, so we too, after transgressing, do not understand what our conscience is saying to us, so that it seems to us as if we do not have one at all. However, there is no man that does not have a conscience, for it is something divine and never perishes. And so, let us by no means trample upon it in any way, even in the least thing. You know that by neglecting something small and essentially insignificant we also come to neglect what is great.
Abba Dorotheus
Though a man who has committed a sin and performed an iniquitous deed be successful in hiding from all men, yet from the judgment of his own conscience he cannot hide. On the contrary, he always bears about in himself this accuser, which disturbs him, torments him and never slackens. Like a diligent physician, it never ceases to offer its medicines; and though it is not obeyed, even then it does not let up, but continues constantly to be concerned; it continuously reminds us of sin, not allowing the sinner to come to oblivion, in order at least through this to make us not so inclined toward previous sins.
Saint John Chrysostom
Ask why all who do ill do not desire that men would speak ill of them? Not a single evil man wants to hear himself called bad names, for he respects the law proper to nature, although the evil will chooses what is even contrary to this law. Whatever the conscience forbids you to do, that do not do; for whatever the conscience infallibly forbids, that the Law of God forbids also. A good conscience is in accord with the Law of God. And so, beware of doing what the conscience forbids.
Saint Tichon Zadonsky
It is not the grandeur of authority, not a great amount of money, not a vastness of might, not bodily strength, not a luxurious table, not splendid clothes, not the rest of human advantages that grant good heartedness and joy; but these are only the fruit of spiritual good order and a good conscience. He who has a good conscience, although he be clothed in a shirt, although he be struggling with hunger, is more goodhearted than those living luxuriously; but he who is conscious of himself as bad, although he be covered with piles of money, is poorer than all. That is why the Apostle Paul, although he lived in constant hunger and nakedness, although he received blows every day, rejoiced and was glad more than any of the kings contemporary to him.
Saint John Chrysostom
Two subjects fill me with the greatest goodwill and amazement: the starry sky above me and the conscience or moral law within me. My conscience is a mirror, from which I cannot hide a single vice; an accuser, which does not give me rest; a witness, which I cannot contradict; a judge, which I cannot withstand.
Thoughts
of a pious man from "The Spiritual Flower Garden".
The conscience is not a story you cannot shelve it. An evil conscience deserves the executioner. Where there are tears there also is a conscience. Folk wisdom.
How inescapable thine authority,
Thunder to transgressors, comforter of innocents.
O conscience! Law and accuser of our deeds,
Witness and judge!
V. Zhukovskij