Conscience is but a word that cowards use, Devis'd at…
““Conscience is but a word that cowards use, Devis'd at first to keep the strong in awe: Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law. March on, join bravely, let us to't pell-mell; If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Conscience is portrayed as a tool for the weak, while strength and law become personal moral guides.
In simple terms: Conscience is for cowards; strength is the true law.
Key Takeaway
Question the source of your moral compass.
Themes
power
morality
strength
law
courage
Mood
serious
intense
dramatic
Type
literary
ethical
When to use this quote
- military leadership
- legal reform
- personal decision‑making
- social movements
Key Concepts
ethics
political philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you rely on personal power or shared ethics?
- When does strength become tyranny?
A Different Perspective
Equating strength with morality can justify oppression.