--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had a few pricks of conscience- seeing…" description: "\"“I had a few pricks of conscience- seeing Henry's pajama bottoms hanging forlornly from a peg in our bedroom, his comb on he dresser, a stray white hai..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c7/hillary-jordan-13367_conscience_i-had-a-few-pricks-of-conscience-seeing_2488558.jpg" --- # I had a few pricks of conscience- seeing Henry's pajama… ![“I had a few pricks of conscience- seeing Henry's pajama bottoms hanging forlornly from a peg in our bedroom, his comb on he dresser, a stray white hair on his pillow- but real shame and regret were absent. In their place was a riotous sense of wonder. I'd never imagined myself capable of either…” quote by Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c7/hillary-jordan-13367_conscience_i-had-a-few-pricks-of-conscience-seeing_2488558.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c7/hillary-jordan-13367_conscience_i-had-a-few-pricks-of-conscience-seeing_2488558.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c7/hillary-jordan-13367_conscience_i-had-a-few-pricks-of-conscience-seeing_2488558.jpg) > ““I had a few pricks of conscience- seeing Henry's pajama bottoms hanging forlornly from a peg in our bedroom, his comb on he dresser, a stray white hair on his pillow- but real shame and regret were absent. In their place was a riotous sense of wonder. I'd never imagined myself capable of either great boldness or great passion, and the discovery that I had reservoirs of both astounded me.”” [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator discovers unexpected boldness and passion, feeling wonder instead of shame when confronting intimate, personal details. **In simple terms:** Finding hidden courage and excitement in private moments. Key Takeaway Embrace unexpected inner strengths. Themes self‑discovery passion boldness wonder Mood curious excited reflective Type literary personal When to use this quote - personal reflection - creative writing - intimate storytelling Key Concepts psychology identity emotional resilience Questions to Reflect On - What hidden strengths have you uncovered in vulnerable situations? - How does wonder transform feelings of shame? A Different Perspective The narrative may romanticize private moments, overlooking potential discomfort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Sense of wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-wonder/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [White hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-hair/) ## Related quotes > [It is only because man believes himself to be free, not because he is free, that he experiences remorse and pricks of conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-is-only-because-man-believes-himself-to-be-free-not-because-he-is/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“When love is thrown away over stupid reasons, the only thing left is shame and regret. Instead of letting stupid things rule your love,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-megan-varnadore/when-love-is-thrown-away-over-stupid-reasons-the-only-thing-left-is/) [Jennifer Megan Varnadore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-megan-varnadore/) > [“It had to be her heart, too, or I lose. Sex and feelings. Shame and regret. That was the game.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyla-payne/it-had-to-be-her-heart-too-or-i-lose-sex-and-feelings-shame-and/) [Lyla Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyla-payne/) > [“My clothes from last night smell of smoke, alcohol, shame and regret.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maritza-cosme/my-clothes-from-last-night-smell-of-smoke-alcohol-shame-and-regret/) Maritza Cosme > [“It is a shame when we must regard a people as an enemy. It is a shame and a regret when the two peoples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwood-smith/it-is-a-shame-when-we-must-regard-a-people-as-an-enemy-it-is-a-shame/) [Sherwood Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwood-smith/) > [“You call it shame and regret. I call it research and development.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cara-addison/you-call-it-shame-and-regret-i-call-it-research-and-development/) [Cara Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cara-addison/) > [In a world full of shame and regret, do something to be proud of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dayna-cooper/in-a-world-full-of-shame-and-regret-do-something-to-be-proud-of/) [Dayna Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dayna-cooper/) > [Ageing is an odd thing, we all have to do it if we're lucky! So why do we often feel shame, regret or sadness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-sanders/ageing-is-an-odd-thing-we-all-have-to-do-it-if-we-re-lucky-so-why-do/) [Lou Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-sanders/) > [“... I have dreams of you too, Mariam jo. I miss you. I miss the sound of your voice, your laughter. I miss reading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/i-have-dreams-of-you-too-mariam-jo-i-miss-you-i-miss-the-sound-of/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [ Wisdom and white hair might not be as valued \[in our society\] as in different cultures. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karla-souza/wisdom-and-white-hair-might-not-be-as-valued-in-our-society-as-in/) [Karla Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karla-souza/) > [“The old man must have stopped our car two dozen times to climb out and gather into his hands the small toads blinded by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-bruchac/the-old-man-must-have-stopped-our-car-two-dozen-times-to-climb-out/) [Joseph Bruchac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-bruchac/) > [I had white hair when I was 19. I think bleach can be addictive, and before long, you've gone too far with it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-ryan/i-had-white-hair-when-i-was-19-i-think-bleach-can-be-addictive-and/) [Katherine Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-ryan/) > [I feel I want to be wise with white hair in a tall library in a deep chair by a fireplace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-corso/i-feel-i-want-to-be-wise-with-white-hair-in-a-tall-library-in-a-deep/) [Gregory Corso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-corso/) > [Wrinkles and bones, white hair and diamonds: I can't wait.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truman-capote/wrinkles-and-bones-white-hair-and-diamonds-i-can-t-wait/) [Truman Capote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/truman-capote/) > [I hated myself totally white. So now I cheat. It's my white hair, and I put color there. My grandson says I'm punk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-hated-myself-totally-white-so-now-i-cheat-it-s-my-white-hair-and-i/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) ## More by Hillary Jordan > [“It wasn't her fault if she seemed less than human, it was the fault of them that did this to her, and them that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/it-wasn-t-her-fault-if-she-seemed-less-than-human-it-was-the-fault-of/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“She prayed for that all through the night, uncertain to Whom or what, but with a feeling that almost resembled faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/she-prayed-for-that-all-through-the-night-uncertain-to-whom-or-what/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“Death may be inevitable, but love is not. Love, you have to choose. I'll begin with that. With Love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/death-may-be-inevitable-but-love-is-not-love-you-have-to-choose-i-ll/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“She reached out and stroked my hair just as she had when I was a child. I closed my eyes and let sleep take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/she-reached-out-and-stroked-my-hair-just-as-she-had-when-i-was-a/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“It wasn’t just that he loved her; it was that he loved her, in particular.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/it-wasn-t-just-that-he-loved-her-it-was-that-he-loved-her-in/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“How could predetermination and free will both exist? “It’s”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/how-could-predetermination-and-free-will-both-exist-it-s/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“Daddy shook Pappy's hand, then Henry's, then hugged the children. At last he turned to me. Softly, in a voice meant for my ears…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/daddy-shook-pappy-s-hand-then-henry-s-then-hugged-the-children-at/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [When that mama worry takes ahold of a woman you can't expect no sense from her. She'll do or say anything at all and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/when-that-mama-worry-takes-ahold-of-a-woman-you-can-t-expect-no-sense/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“If God is the Creator, if God englobes every single thing in the universe, then God is everything, and everything is God. God is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/if-god-is-the-creator-if-god-englobes-every-single-thing-in-the/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“I talked to her just like I talk to a laboring woman. Mothers need to hear them soothing words. They just as important as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/i-talked-to-her-just-like-i-talk-to-a-laboring-woman-mothers-need-to/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“To be touched with love was a kind of miracle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/to-be-touched-with-love-was-a-kind-of-miracle/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“But I must start at the beginning, if I can find it. Beginnings are elusive things. Just when you think you have hold of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/but-i-must-start-at-the-beginning-if-i-can-find-it-beginnings-are/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“You’ll move if I say so,” Hap said. “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/you-ll-move-if-i-say-so-hap-said-for-the-husband-is-the-head-of-the/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [This was the truth at the core of my existence: this yawning emptiness, scantily clad in rage. It had been there all along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/this-was-the-truth-at-the-core-of-my-existence-this-yawning-emptiness/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) > [“...like the way a child hankers for a holly berry. He don't know it's poison, he just sees something pretty and red and he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-jordan/like-the-way-a-child-hankers-for-a-holly-berry-he-don-t-know-it-s/) [Hillary Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) [Explore all 50 Hillary Jordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-jordan/) ## More Conscience quotes > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [“Knowledge without conscience is but the ruin of the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabelaise/knowledge-without-conscience-is-but-the-ruin-of-the-soul/) Rabelaise > [Writing adds up to the conscience of our times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/writing-adds-up-to-the-conscience-of-our-times/) [Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/) > [My conscience is really active. So I feel bad about spending excess amount of money on things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/my-conscience-is-really-active-so-i-feel-bad-about-spending-excess/) [Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/) > [Let us be thankful for health and competence, and, above all, for a quiet conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izaak-walton/let-us-be-thankful-for-health-and-competence-and-above-all-for-a/) [Izaak Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izaak-walton/) > [Making money doesn't oblige people to forfeit their honor or their conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-de-rothschild/making-money-doesn-t-oblige-people-to-forfeit-their-honor-or-their/) [Guy de Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-de-rothschild/) > [“If we cannot be happy and powerful and prey on others, we invent conscience and prey on ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/if-we-cannot-be-happy-and-powerful-and-prey-on-others-we-invent/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The God in whose hands are all our days and ways, did cast into my hand one day a book of Martin Luthers; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/the-god-in-whose-hands-are-all-our-days-and-ways-did-cast-into-my/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [My morals are important to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-parrish/my-morals-are-important-to-me/) [Hunter Parrish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-parrish/) > [Being tolerant does not mean that I share another ones belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another ones right to believe, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-frankl/being-tolerant-does-not-mean-that-i-share-another-ones-belief-but-it/) [Viktor Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-frankl/) > [Never can true courage dwell with them, Who, playing tricks with conscience, dare not look At their own vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/never-can-true-courage-dwell-with-them-who-playing-tricks-with/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/) [John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/) > [I've worked with people who are much further to the left than I am and much further to the right than I am. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hanks/i-ve-worked-with-people-who-are-much-further-to-the-left-than-i-am/) [Tom Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hanks/) > [If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved of you and absolved you from guilt, you would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/if-all-the-world-hated-you-and-believed-you-wicked-while-your-own/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [ \[D\]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. Without… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesketh-pearson/d-on-t-grow-old-with-age-comes-caution-which-is-another-name-for/) [Hesketh Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesketh-pearson/) [Browse all 3,490 Conscience quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I had a few pricks of conscience- seeing Henry's pajama bottoms hanging forlornly from a peg in our bedroom, his comb on he dresser, a stray white hair on his pillow- but real shame and regret were absent. In their place was a riotous sense of wonder. 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