--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A conscience is a troublesome thing at…" description: "\"A conscience is a troublesome thing at times. I woke up at 4 o'clock this morning and I spent the time feeling what a nothing I was, and wishing I was ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/016/kate-greenaway-49965_clock_a-conscience-is-a-troublesome-thing-at-t_2545271.jpg" --- # A conscience is a troublesome thing at times. I woke up at… ![“A conscience is a troublesome thing at times. I woke up at 4 o'clock this morning and I spent the time feeling what a nothing I was, and wishing I was so very different. Then the morning's post brought me a letter from a friend, saying I was so this, so that - it made me really cry, I was so…” quote by Kate Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/016/kate-greenaway-49965_clock_a-conscience-is-a-troublesome-thing-at-t_2545271.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/016/kate-greenaway-49965_clock_a-conscience-is-a-troublesome-thing-at-t_2545271.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/016/kate-greenaway-49965_clock_a-conscience-is-a-troublesome-thing-at-t_2545271.jpg) > “A conscience is a troublesome thing at times. I woke up at 4 o'clock this morning and I spent the time feeling what a nothing I was, and wishing I was so very different. Then the morning's post brought me a letter from a friend, saying I was so this, so that - it made me really cry, I was so grateful.” [Kate Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-greenaway/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker feels deep self‑criticism but is uplifted by a friend's supportive letter, showing how external validation can counter internal doubt. **In simple terms:** Self‑criticism meets kindness, leading to relief. Key Takeaway Seek supportive connections when self‑doubt arises. Themes self‑esteem vulnerability friendship Mood reflective hopeful Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - morning reflection - receiving letters - personal journaling - therapy sessions - support groups Key Concepts psychology emotional resilience self‑compassion Questions to Reflect On - How can you cultivate inner reassurance without external validation? - What habits help you respond to self‑criticism constructively? A Different Perspective Reliance on others may create dependency; inner strength is also needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Cry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cry/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends/) [Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [“It took Read some twenty years of searching to nail the matter down, but thanks to his efforts we now know that OK first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/it-took-read-some-twenty-years-of-searching-to-nail-the-matter-down/) [Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/) > [“Then I fall asleep with a stupid feeling of wishing to be different from what I am or from what I want to be;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/then-i-fall-asleep-with-a-stupid-feeling-of-wishing-to-be-different-2/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [It's an overwhelming feeling of wishing I could be in your arms at this very moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meeee/it-s-an-overwhelming-feeling-of-wishing-i-could-be-in-your-arms-at/) Meeee > [Then I fall asleep with a stupid feeling of wishing to be different from what I am or from what I want to be;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/then-i-fall-asleep-with-a-stupid-feeling-of-wishing-to-be-different/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [So many people have so many problems. When you think that health is wealth, you're so grateful just to be normal, more or less.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/so-many-people-have-so-many-problems-when-you-think-that-health-is/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [I feel so grateful when I see a movie and there's a woman who looks somewhat like me. I'm like, 'Thank you, Samantha Morton!'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-lynskey/i-feel-so-grateful-when-i-see-a-movie-and-there-s-a-woman-who-looks/) [Melanie Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-lynskey/) > [I'm so grateful that I had the luxury of transitioning in private. Because when you transition in the public eye, the transition becomes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laverne-cox/i-m-so-grateful-that-i-had-the-luxury-of-transitioning-in-private/) [Laverne Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laverne-cox/) > [Affirm: I now willingly release all negative beliefs about myself, my life and all other people. I now forgive myself for thinking I ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/affirm-i-now-willingly-release-all-negative-beliefs-about-myself-my/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [As much as I enjoy doing Resident Evil - and I'm so grateful that this movie, fourth in the franchise, has done better than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milla-jovovich/as-much-as-i-enjoy-doing-resident-evil-and-i-m-so-grateful-that-this/) [Milla Jovovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milla-jovovich/) > [If I'm not mistaken, I believe it was written beforehand. And it just happened in rehearsals Basically giving each person their vocal-line and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendra-kassebaum/if-i-m-not-mistaken-i-believe-it-was-written-beforehand-and-it-just/) [Kendra Kassebaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendra-kassebaum/) > [I was so grateful that Lemony Snicket wasn't the worst movie ever made that I overlooked many things that might have otherwise upset me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-handler/i-was-so-grateful-that-lemony-snicket-wasn-t-the-worst-movie-ever/) [Daniel Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-handler/) > [I was doing just my duty, but that was impacting a lot of people and making them proud. So, I feel so grateful to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakeem-olajuwon/i-was-doing-just-my-duty-but-that-was-impacting-a-lot-of-people-and/) [Hakeem Olajuwon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakeem-olajuwon/) > [We learned early on that we had chemistry and I was so grateful for that. It's like one of the few magical things about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/we-learned-early-on-that-we-had-chemistry-and-i-was-so-grateful-for/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [Music is my catharsis for that. It's an incredible blessing that I have this way of expressing myself through music and lyric, and I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimbra/music-is-my-catharsis-for-that-it-s-an-incredible-blessing-that-i/) [Kimbra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimbra/) > [I was sitting in a caf in London with my husband and baby daughter when my phone rang with the news! I feel so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mireille-enos/i-was-sitting-in-a-caf-in-london-with-my-husband-and-baby-daughter/) [Mireille Enos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mireille-enos/) ## More by Kate Greenaway > [How different everything is when you are with the right people!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-greenaway/how-different-everything-is-when-you-are-with-the-right-people/) [Kate Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-greenaway/) > [Things are so beautiful and wonderful, you feel there must be another life where you will see more - hear more - and know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-greenaway/things-are-so-beautiful-and-wonderful-you-feel-there-must-be-another/) [Kate Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-greenaway/) > [Living in that childish wonder is a most beautiful feeling - I can so well remember it. There was always something more - behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-greenaway/living-in-that-childish-wonder-is-a-most-beautiful-feeling-i-can-so/) [Kate Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-greenaway/) > [Everyone seems possessed with the desire of writing articles upon me and sends me long lists of all I am to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-greenaway/everyone-seems-possessed-with-the-desire-of-writing-articles-upon-me/) [Kate Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-greenaway/) > [A woman once said to me, 'Any religion that is to be any good to one must be one they make for themselves,' -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-greenaway/a-woman-once-said-to-me-any-religion-that-is-to-be-any-good-to-one/) [Kate Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-greenaway/) > [I have made it a rule for a long time, not to part with the copyright of my drawings, for I have been so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-greenaway/i-have-made-it-a-rule-for-a-long-time-not-to-part-with-the-copyright/) [Kate Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-greenaway/) [Explore all 7 Kate Greenaway quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-greenaway/) ## More Clock quotes > [Even Einstein had to rely for his time on his clock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/even-einstein-had-to-rely-for-his-time-on-his-clock/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [“Time was never neutral and often felt dangerous. We either think we have all the time in the world or time moves too fast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-reay/time-was-never-neutral-and-often-felt-dangerous-we-either-think-we/) [Katherine Reay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-reay/) > [Before a clock was in the tower, Or e'er a watch was worn; I knew of night the passing hour, And prophesied the morn;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/before-a-clock-was-in-the-tower-or-e-er-a-watch-was-worn-i-knew-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A clock struck out the hour of twelve, and the bird in the hedgerow was still singing as we marched out to the roadway,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-macgill/a-clock-struck-out-the-hour-of-twelve-and-the-bird-in-the-hedgerow/) [Patrick MacGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-macgill/) > [“Time is, to put it in its most impressive and some might say poncy-sounding form, my domain. I can see things that once happened,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-rayner/time-is-to-put-it-in-its-most-impressive-and-some-might-say-poncy/) [Jacqueline Rayner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-rayner/) > [Time travel offends our sense of cause and effect - but maybe the universe doesn't insist on cause and effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-m-lerner/time-travel-offends-our-sense-of-cause-and-effect-but-maybe-the/) [Edward M. Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-m-lerner/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [Time.The greatest creator, and the worst destroyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/levi-keely/time-the-greatest-creator-and-the-worst-destroyer/) Levi Keely > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. He put his dog in a certain position and made him eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/steven-spielberg-seems-to-have-wanted-to-be-a-director-from-13-he-put/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [No life goes past so swiftly as an eventless one, no clock spins like a clock whose days are all alike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/no-life-goes-past-so-swiftly-as-an-eventless-one-no-clock-spins-like/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [Those who stop marketing to save money are like those who stop a clock to save time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/those-who-stop-marketing-to-save-money-are-like-those-who-stop-a/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [Time is the nervous system of narration, whether factual or fictive. If it gets confused some of the minutiae of human nature are certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenway-wescott/time-is-the-nervous-system-of-narration-whether-factual-or-fictive-if/) [Glenway Wescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenway-wescott/) > [I don't know if it's just me or everyone, but the whole vibe with skiing is not so much thriving on competition against others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/picabo-street/i-don-t-know-if-it-s-just-me-or-everyone-but-the-whole-vibe-with/) [Picabo Street](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/picabo-street/) > [Time goes on, even when yer not looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/time-goes-on-even-when-yer-not-looking/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Browse all 2,738 Clock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A conscience is a troublesome thing at times. I woke up at 4 o'clock this morning and I spent the time feeling what a nothing I was, and wishing I was so very different. 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