A still and quiet conscience – Sunday, February 28, 1960
In recent weeks, we have commented on some essential qualities of character, including faith, integrity, and courage—and today would turn for a moment or two to the question of a quiet conscience, which is in a sense simply self-respect, the real respect that comes with being free from the inward accusation that surely follows offenses. J. A. Petit-Senn, more than a century ago, said, “A good conscience never costs as much as it is worth.”1 Shakespeare said it in this sentence: “I feel within me a peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience.”2 And Austin Phelps added: “A disciplined conscience is a man’s best friend. It may not be his most amiable, but it is his most faithful monitor.”3 And from Joseph Addison comes this comment, “A good conscience is to the soul what health is to the body; it preserves constant case and serenity within us, . . .”4 And from Sir Walter Raleigh, “… the justice of God doth require none other accuser than our own consciences…”5 To these we would add two short citations from the Epistles of Paul. “Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.”6 And “. . . finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure. . .. think on these things.”7 All this to some may sound like a citation of platitudes and of old-fashioned axioms, but such factors are indispensable to all satisfactory personal and professional and public relationships in life and to the whole working of the world. (And parenthetically, whatever pertains to the public pertains to people personally). Without the basic virtues no one can continue confidently to do business with anyone, nor can anyone find peace or abiding satisfaction inside himself. And what sometimes seems impractical or idealistic, proves, in fact, to be the only practical or workable relationship between men and between the organizations they create to front for them. Despite all 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 to sincere self-respect.
1Jean-Antoine Petit-Senn
2Shakespeare, Henry V111, Act 111, se. 2, 1. 378
3Austin Phelps
4Joseph Addison
5Sir Walter Raleigh, To the History of the World
6Hebrews 13:18
7Philippians 4:8
“The Spoken Word,” heard over Radio Station KSL and the CBS Radio Network, from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, February 28, 1960, 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Eastern Time. Copyright 1960
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February 28, 1960
Broadcast Number 1,593