--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Conscience is our magnetic compass…" description: "\"Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason our chart.\" — Joseph Cook" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4c/joseph-cook-22773_compass_conscience-is-our-magnetic-compass-reaso_2813775.jpg" --- # Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason our chart. ![“Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason our chart.” quote by Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4c/joseph-cook-22773_compass_conscience-is-our-magnetic-compass-reaso_2813775.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4c/joseph-cook-22773_compass_conscience-is-our-magnetic-compass-reaso_2813775.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4c/joseph-cook-22773_compass_conscience-is-our-magnetic-compass-reaso_2813775.jpg) > “Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason our chart.” [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our conscience guides us like a magnet, while reason maps the path we should follow. **In simple terms:** Conscience draws us, reason directs us. Key Takeaway Align moral intuition with logical planning. Themes ethics reason guidance decision‑making Mood thoughtful inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career choices - personal dilemmas - ethical debates - leadership decisions Key Concepts magnetism navigation inner voice Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance gut feeling with logical analysis? - When should you trust conscience over reason? A Different Perspective Reason alone can ignore emotional truths, leading to cold decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compass/) [Compass Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compass-reason-3539358/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Conscience Magnetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience-magnetic-3539357/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Magnetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magnetic/) [Magnetic Compass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magnetic-compass-3539359/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Reason Chart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason-chart-3539360/) ## Related quotes > [“Precisely balanced gyroscopes supplanted the magnetic compass as a direction finder, enabled aircraft to fly straight and level, and led to inertial navigational systems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiawatha-bray/precisely-balanced-gyroscopes-supplanted-the-magnetic-compass-as-a/) [Hiawatha Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiawatha-bray/) > [The Unknown is an ocean. What is conscience? The compass of the Unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/the-unknown-is-an-ocean-what-is-conscience-the-compass-of-the-unknown/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [The Light of the Christ within now wipes out all fear, doubt, anger and resentment. God's love pours through me, an irresistible magnetic current.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-scovel-shinn/the-light-of-the-christ-within-now-wipes-out-all-fear-doubt-anger-and/) [Florence Scovel Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-scovel-shinn/) > [Gravity is a mutual affection between cognate bodies towards union or conjunction (similar in kind to the magnetic virtue), so that the earth attracts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johannes-kepler/gravity-is-a-mutual-affection-between-cognate-bodies-towards-union-or/) [Johannes Kepler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johannes-kepler/) > [Words can have no single fixed meaning. Like wayward electrons, they can spin away from their initial orbit and enter a wider magnetic field.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lehman/words-can-have-no-single-fixed-meaning-like-wayward-electrons-they/) [David Lehman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lehman/) > [I can't say I'm not guilty of age discrimination when it comes to animals. Like most people I've walked into a shelter more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-morasca/i-can-t-say-i-m-not-guilty-of-age-discrimination-when-it-comes-to/) [Jenna Morasca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-morasca/) > [If you open the door to the magnetic power of friendship, souls of like vibrations will be attracted to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/if-you-open-the-door-to-the-magnetic-power-of-friendship-souls-of/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [It was 1975. I had spent the year at the Boston Museum School doing some very bizarre performance works. The last one included going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-grey/it-was-1975-i-had-spent-the-year-at-the-boston-museum-school-doing/) [Alex Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-grey/) > [When people go to a track meet, they're looking for something, a world record, something that hasn't been done before. You get all this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/when-people-go-to-a-track-meet-they-re-looking-for-something-a-world/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [“Our actions are highly magnetic to our thoughts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sukant-ratnakar/our-actions-are-highly-magnetic-to-our-thoughts/) [Sukant Ratnakar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sukant-ratnakar/) > [When you are filled with soul energy you become magnetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/choa-kok-sui/when-you-are-filled-with-soul-energy-you-become-magnetic/) [Choa Kok Sui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/choa-kok-sui/) > [Poetry, I'm returning to it, never leaves me. It's my genre completely. In poetry I contemplate myself exuberantly. It's my unique strength. Force of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-brossard/poetry-i-m-returning-to-it-never-leaves-me-it-s-my-genre-completely/) [Nicole Brossard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-brossard/) > [I have a kind of magnetic attraction to situations of violence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/i-have-a-kind-of-magnetic-attraction-to-situations-of-violence/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [The Sun's magnetic field reverses every 11 years. There have been a quarter of a million reversals since our predecessor, Homo Habilis, emerged, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jocelyn-bell-burnell/the-sun-s-magnetic-field-reverses-every-11-years-there-have-been-a/) [Jocelyn Bell Burnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jocelyn-bell-burnell/) > [You are the most powerful magnet in the universe! You contain a magnetic power within you that is more powerful than anything in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/you-are-the-most-powerful-magnet-in-the-universe-you-contain-a/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) ## More by Joseph Cook > [Safe popular freedom consists of four things, the diffusion of liberty, of intelligence, of property, and of conscientiousness, and cannot be compounded of any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/safe-popular-freedom-consists-of-four-things-the-diffusion-of-liberty/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [Only the home can found a state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/only-the-home-can-found-a-state/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [There is a certain physiognomy in manners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/there-is-a-certain-physiognomy-in-manners/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [Of all my wife's relations I like myself the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/of-all-my-wife-s-relations-i-like-myself-the-best/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [What is the average type of a counterfeit church? A hammock, attached on one side to the cross, and, on the other, held and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/what-is-the-average-type-of-a-counterfeit-church-a-hammock-attached/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [A monarchy is like a man-of-war--bad shots between wind and water hurt it exceedingly; there is danger of capsizing. But democracy is a raft.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/a-monarchy-is-like-a-man-of-war-bad-shots-between-wind-and-water-hurt/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [The secret of solitude is that there is no solitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/the-secret-of-solitude-is-that-there-is-no-solitude/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [It is the will to be grateful which constitutes gratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/it-is-the-will-to-be-grateful-which-constitutes-gratitude/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [The sense of duty pursues us ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/the-sense-of-duty-pursues-us-ever/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [So many people glorify and romanticize 'busy.' I do not. I value purpose. I believe in resting in reason and moving in passion. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/so-many-people-glorify-and-romanticize-busy-i-do-not-i-value-purpose/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [The Unknown is an ocean. What is conscience? The compass of the Unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/the-unknown-is-an-ocean-what-is-conscience-the-compass-of-the-unknown/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [Our secret thoughts are rarely heard except in secret. No man knows what conscience is until he understands what solitude can teach him concerning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/our-secret-thoughts-are-rarely-heard-except-in-secret-no-man-knows/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [Narrowness is the mother of unbelief. Obtain a broad outlook if you would agree with God in your philosophy and be able to transmit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/narrowness-is-the-mother-of-unbelief-obtain-a-broad-outlook-if-you/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [Until we have a natural, that is, a conscientious world, it cannot be known by experience what natural law will do for the gratification…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/until-we-have-a-natural-that-is-a-conscientious-world-it-cannot-be/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [We shall never be at peace with ourselves until we yield with glad supremacy to our higher faculties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/we-shall-never-be-at-peace-with-ourselves-until-we-yield-with-glad/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) [Explore all 27 Joseph Cook quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) ## More Compass quotes > [It signified nothing that the raw, male magnetism that emanated from him probably made compasses malfunction in his presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaelen-foley/it-signified-nothing-that-the-raw-male-magnetism-that-emanated-from/) [Gaelen Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaelen-foley/) > [Whether you are buying a car or casting a ballot, choosing a job or planning a family, follow your moral compass. Don't let others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/whether-you-are-buying-a-car-or-casting-a-ballot-choosing-a-job-or/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-henry/families-are-the-compass-that-guide-us-they-are-the-inspiration-to/) [Brad Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-henry/) > [In a compass, we got north, south, east and west, right? But in between that, you got things like north-east - now that, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bj-the-chicago-kid/in-a-compass-we-got-north-south-east-and-west-right-but-in-between/) [BJ the Chicago Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bj-the-chicago-kid/) > [The only two good words that can be said for a hurricane are that it gives sufficient warning of its approach, and that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-only-two-good-words-that-can-be-said-for-a-hurricane-are-that-it/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [put the car in "d" set the compass to "n" and get the "f"out of there](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-grahame-smith/put-the-car-in-d-set-the-compass-to-n-and-get-the-f-out-of-there/) [Seth Grahame-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-grahame-smith/) > [Anger is an emotion, not a compass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-tancredo/anger-is-an-emotion-not-a-compass/) [Tom Tancredo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-tancredo/) > [“Why a compass?” Ty asked. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Zane’s yet. Zane smiled and ran his thumb across the pendant. “Because you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-roux/why-a-compass-ty-asked-he-hadn-t-taken-his-eyes-off-zane-s-yet-zane/) [Abigail Roux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-roux/) > [I take no pleasure in seeing DeLay swing gently in the wind. But the thing I believe in the most is ethics. If someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/i-take-no-pleasure-in-seeing-delay-swing-gently-in-the-wind-but-the/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [There is an ancient Indian saying: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." If we use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-schroeder/there-is-an-ancient-indian-saying-we-do-not-inherit-the-earth-from/) [Patricia Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-schroeder/) > [People who do not know the Bible well have been gulled into thinking it is a good guide to morality. This mistaken view may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/people-who-do-not-know-the-bible-well-have-been-gulled-into-thinking/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [I have told you of the Spaniard who always put on his spectacles when about to eat cherries, that they might look bigger and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southey/i-have-told-you-of-the-spaniard-who-always-put-on-his-spectacles-when/) [Robert Southey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southey/) > [I have an excellent internal compass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-bonneville/i-have-an-excellent-internal-compass/) [Hugh Bonneville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-bonneville/) > [We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the word for it. Before we know that there are words. 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Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/) [Browse all 569 Compass quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compass/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason our chart.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joseph Cook" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/conscience-is-our-magnetic-compass-reason-our-chart/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compass" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/conscience-is-our-magnetic-compass-reason-our-chart/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4c/joseph-cook-22773_compass_conscience-is-our-magnetic-compass-reaso_2813775.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4c/joseph-cook-22773_compass_conscience-is-our-magnetic-compass-reaso_2813775.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4c/joseph-cook-22773_compass_conscience-is-our-magnetic-compass-reaso_2813775.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason our chart.” — Joseph Cook", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joseph Cook", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/conscience-is-our-magnetic-compass-reason-our-chart/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/conscience-is-our-magnetic-compass-reason-our-chart/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```