---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the…"
description: "\"Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in s..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f79/susanna-wesley-42316_conscience_whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the_682586.jpg"
---

#  Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of…

![“Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind; that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself.” quote by Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f79/susanna-wesley-42316_conscience_whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the_682586.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f79/susanna-wesley-42316_conscience_whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the_682586.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f79/susanna-wesley-42316_conscience_whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the_682586.jpg)

> “Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind; that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself.”

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Sin is described as anything that lets the body dominate the mind, weakening reason and spiritual sensitivity.

**In simple terms:** Sin lets the body control the mind, dulling spirit.

Key Takeaway

Guard the mind against bodily excesses.

Themes

spirituality morality self-control

Mood

contemplative serious

Type

theological philosophical

When to use this quote

- daily decision making
- ethical dilemmas
- personal habits

Key Concepts

theology human nature discipline

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you prioritize mind or body?
- How can balance be achieved?

A Different Perspective

Some may view bodily health as neutral, not sinful.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Lawfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawfulness/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Tenderness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tenderness/)

## Related quotes

> [“Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, whatever increases…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the-tenderness-of-your-2/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

> [Would you who judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of pleasure, take this rule; whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southey/would-you-who-judge-of-the-lawfulness-or-unlawfulness-of-pleasure/)

[Robert Southey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southey/)

> [Today, with the abundance of books available, it is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read. … Feed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/today-with-the-abundance-of-books-available-it-is-the-mark-of-a-truly/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish for spiritual things then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the-tenderness-of-your-3/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

> [“How would you judge the lawfulness or unlawfulness of "pleasure?" Use this rule: Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/how-would-you-judge-the-lawfulness-or-unlawfulness-of-pleasure-use/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

> [The reason for the unreason with which you treat my reason , so weakens my reason that with reason I complain of your beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-reason-for-the-unreason-with-which-you-treat-my-reason-so-weakens/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish for spiritual things then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-warren/whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the-tenderness-of-your-4/)

[Kay Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-warren/)

> [“I do not recall that I felt any tenderness of conscience in reference to Mrs. Joe, when the fear of being found out was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-do-not-recall-that-i-felt-any-tenderness-of-conscience-in-reference/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [There may be some tenderness in the conscience and yet the will be a very stone; and as long as the will stands out,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-alleine/there-may-be-some-tenderness-in-the-conscience-and-yet-the-will-be-a/)

[Richard Alleine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-alleine/)

> [It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less. On, on, on for ever,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/it-is-wisdom-to-take-occasional-furlough-in-the-long-run-we-shall-do/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [The highest court is in the end one's own conscience and conviction-that goes for you and for Einstein and every other physicist-and before any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-planck/the-highest-court-is-in-the-end-one-s-own-conscience-and-conviction/)

[Max Planck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-planck/)

> [I deny the lawfulness of telling a lie to a sick man for fear of alarming him; you have no business with consequences, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/i-deny-the-lawfulness-of-telling-a-lie-to-a-sick-man-for-fear-of/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [Wouldst thou know the lawfulness of the action which thou desirest to undertake, let thy devotion recommend it to Divine blessing: if it be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/wouldst-thou-know-the-lawfulness-of-the-action-which-thou-desirest-to/)

[Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/)

> [Scientists seek the lawfulness of events. It is the task of Religion to fit man into this lawfulness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/scientists-seek-the-lawfulness-of-events-it-is-the-task-of-religion/)

[Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/)

> [All men seek to be enlightened. Religion is but the most ancient and honorable way in which men have striven to make sense out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/all-men-seek-to-be-enlightened-religion-is-but-the-most-ancient-and/)

[Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/)

## More by Susanna Wesley

> [“Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, whatever increases…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the-tenderness-of-your-2/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

> [Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish for spiritual things then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the-tenderness-of-your-3/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

> [“How would you judge the lawfulness or unlawfulness of "pleasure?" Use this rule: Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/how-would-you-judge-the-lawfulness-or-unlawfulness-of-pleasure-use/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

> [I will tell you what rule I observed when I was young, and too much addicted to childish diversions-never to spend more time in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/i-will-tell-you-what-rule-i-observed-when-i-was-young-and-too-much/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

> [There are two things to do about the gospel. Believe it and behave it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/there-are-two-things-to-do-about-the-gospel-believe-it-and-behave-it/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

> [When I had forgotten God, yet I then found He had not forgotten me. Even then He did by His Spirit apply the merits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/when-i-had-forgotten-god-yet-i-then-found-he-had-not-forgotten-me/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

> [He is so infinitely blessed, that every perception of His blissful presence imparts a gladness to the heart. Every degree of approach to Him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/he-is-so-infinitely-blessed-that-every-perception-of-his-blissful/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

> [I am content to fill a little space if God be glorified.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/i-am-content-to-fill-a-little-space-if-god-be-glorified/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

> [Help me, Lord, to remember that religion is not to be confined to the church... nor exercised only in prayer and meditation, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/help-me-lord-to-remember-that-religion-is-not-to-be-confined-to-the/)

[Susanna Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

[Explore all 10 Susanna Wesley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/)

## 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": "Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind; that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Susanna Wesley"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the-tenderness-of-your/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Conscience"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the-tenderness-of-your/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f79/susanna-wesley-42316_conscience_whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the_682586.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f79/susanna-wesley-42316_conscience_whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the_682586.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f79/susanna-wesley-42316_conscience_whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the_682586.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or…” — Susanna Wesley",
                "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": "Susanna Wesley",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-wesley/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the-tenderness-of-your/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-wesley/whatever-weakens-your-reason-impairs-the-tenderness-of-your/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```