Conscience

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kÉ’nʃəns/

Origin

From Old French conscience, from Latin conscientia ("knowledge within oneself"), from consciens, present participle of conscire ("to know, to be conscious (of wrong)"), from com- ("together") + scire ("to know").

Full definition of conscience

Noun

1. The moral sense of right and wrong, chiefly as it affects one's own behaviour; inwit.
• 1949, Albert Einstein, as quoted by Virgil Henshaw in Albert Einstein: Philosopher Scientist,Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it.
• 1951, Isaac Asimov, Foundation (novel) (1974 publication), part V: “The Merchant Princes”, chapter 14, page 175, ¶ 7“Twer is not a friend of mine testifying against me reluctantly and for conscience’ sake, as the prosecution would have you believe. He is a spy, performing his paid job.”
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 18, ‘Then the father has a great fight with his terrible conscience,’ said Munday with granite seriousness. ‘Should he make a row with the police …? Or should he say nothing about it and condone brutality for fear of appearing in the newspapers?
2. (chiefly fiction) A personification of the moral sense of right and wrong, usually in the form of a person, a being or merely a voice that gives moral lessons and advices.
3. (obsolete) Consciousness; thinking; awareness, especially self-awareness.
• 1603, William Shakespeare, Hamlet, act 3, sc. 1,Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;And thus the native hue of resolutionIs sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought.

Usage notes

Adjectives often used with "conscience": good, bad, guilty.

Phrases: 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.

Derived terms

Related terms

• conscientious
• conscientiously
• conscientiousness
• conscionable
• consciousness