Character Quote by José Saramago
““The moral conscience that so many thoughtless people have offended against and many more have rejected, is something that exists and has always existed. It was not an invention of the philosophers of the Quartenary, when the soul was little more than a muddled proposition. With the passing of time, as well as then social evolution and genetic exchange, we ended up putting our conscience in the colour of blood and in the salt of tears, and, as if that were not enough, we made our eyes into a kind of mirror turned inwards, with the result that they often show without reserve what we are verbally trying to deny. Add to this general observation, the particular circumstance that in simple spirits, the remorse caused by committing some evil act often becomes confused with ancestral fears of every kind, and the result will be that the punishment of the prevaricator ends up being, without mercy or pity, twice what he deserved.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Blindness by José Saramago, 1995
Moral conscience is innate, evolving with society, yet often obscured by denial and fear, leading to disproportionate punishment.
In simple terms: Conscience exists and can be misused.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and own your moral responsibility.
Themes
ethics
human nature
justice
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- judicial reform
- education
- personal accountability
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
moral psychology
social evolution
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you confront your own moral blind spots?
- What systems reinforce unjust punishments?
A Different Perspective
Societal norms can suppress individual conscience.
![“[Black nationalism] is not designed to make the black man reevaluate the white man--you know him already--but to make the black man re-evaluate himself. Don't change the white man's mind; you can't change his mind. And that whole thing about appealing to the moral conscience of America--America's…” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/999/malcolm-x-213_america_black-nationalism-is-not-designed-to-mak_1741004.jpg)
