Quote by Henry James
People talk about the conscience, but it seems to me one must just bring it up to a certain point and leave it there. You can let your conscience alone if you're nice to the second housemaid.
Summary
This quote suggests that people often overcomplicate the concept of conscience. The speaker suggests that one only needs to observe a certain level of moral behavior, such as being kind to others, in order to have a clear conscience. By treating the second housemaid kindly, it implies that one's conscience can be at ease, implying that simple acts of kindness can alleviate guilt or moral conflict. Thus, the quote suggests that being considerate towards others can simplify and reduce the burden on our conscience.
Topics
Conscience
By Henry James