What is conscience and is it needed in the modern world? The answer to this question can be found not only in the psychological reference book, but also in the wisdom of folk proverbs. The human conscience is an internal authority, thanks to which a person lives according to his highest internal guidelines. One who is aware of his actions will always act honestly, regardless of how beneficial such a position will be for him.
The concept of honor in folk wisdom
The famous Russian proverb says: “For honor - even a head off his shoulders.” Honor and conscience are those qualities that are needed even in our difficult life. After all, if people did not have them, if by some higher powers they were taken from humanity forever, then it’s just scary to think about what could happen to him. Without moral restrictions, people would simply destroy each other after a while. Conscience is the inner voice of a person who controls all his actions and deeds.
Conscience, life and death
“Living with his conscience is good, but dying is bad,” says another proverb about conscience. Death is the natural ending of life. A person perceives this fact not only depending on his psychological attitudes, the prevailing religion, stereotypes and philosophy in his society. “In dangerous moments, all life flashes before our eyes” - recently this catchphrase has begun to find confirmation in scientific research. Scientists questioned patients at an Israeli clinic who were on the verge of death. Some shared their experiences related to the past, others even spoke about the future. For many of them, the experience on the verge of life and death was accompanied by a “film” about their life. Therefore, it is worth listening to the folk wisdom warning us. “A good conscience is the eye of God,” says the proverb about conscience.
When a person commits something bad, then he receives retribution from himself - he is constantly in a bad mood because of this. “Pangs of conscience” - this is what the people call such a state. Another wisdom says: "Perinka of conscience is not a replacement." When a person commits a really bad deed, then he cannot sleep peacefully. Mental torment happens to those who constantly care only about their own benefit, strive to commit those acts that are good for him, but bring harm to others. Proverbs and sayings about conscience warn against this behavior: "An evil conscience is worth the executioner."
However, there is a difference between those who repent of their own actions and those whose conscience is unclean. Those who regret their deeds are unlikely to commit a bad deed again. He will no longer want to feel remorse.
Proverbs about conscience and shame
“In whom there is shame, that is conscience”, “What we are ashamed of, we hide”, “Out of shame our heads are thrown” - such proverbs are known about the experience of shame. Conscience is a close concept to shame, but they are not completely identical. Conscience forces a person to behave decently, in accordance with the moral standards that are accepted in society. It makes a person adjust his behavior. And shame is a subjective experience of the fact that the person himself does not correspond to the surrounding reality in which he is. That is, shame is more a sense of inferiority. Shame and conscience can exist together. However, their difference is clearly visible in the proverbs about responsibility for their actions, honor and shame. Shame may appear in a particular situation, but just as suddenly this feeling disappears.
Constant awareness or temporary feeling?
Shame, which is a transient sensation, differs from conscience, which is a constant human quality, the ability to realize one’s actions. Therefore, responsibility for their actions can be developed or not, depending on whether a person works on himself or is too lazy to do it. And the cause of shame can be even those acts that a person did not commit and that do not belong to him. For example, some people may be ashamed if they use obscene phrases.