Conscience Quote by William Congreve
“Honor is a public enemy, and conscience a domestic, and he that would secure his pleasure, must pay a tribute to one and go halves with t'other.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Double, 1693
Honor and conscience are portrayed as burdens; true pleasure requires compromising both and sharing the cost.
In simple terms: Honor and conscience hinder pleasure.
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of integrity.
Themes
honor
conscience
pleasure
compromise
Mood
skeptical
ironic
Type
dramatic
literary
When to use this quote
- political negotiation
- personal relationships
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
Moral conflict
social expectation
Questions to Reflect On
- Is sacrificing honor ever justified?
- What price do you pay for pleasure?
A Different Perspective
May romanticize cynicism, ignoring virtue’s benefits.
