People talk about the conscience, but it seems to me one must just bring it up to a certain point and leave it there. You can let your conscience alone if you’re nice to the second housemaid.

Henry James

 

The Quote in Other Words

The way I see it, people often discuss the conscience, but it’s only necessary to raise it to a certain level and then maintain it. As long as you treat the second housemaid kindly, you can disregard your conscience.

 

Explanation of the Quote

This quote suggests that the conscience is not an all-encompassing force that governs our every action. Instead, it implies that we can control the extent to which our conscience affects our behavior. The speaker suggests that being kind to others, such as a second housemaid, can alleviate the need to constantly monitor our actions and thoughts.

However, this quote raises questions about the nature of morality and ethics. Is it acceptable to only act morally when it is convenient or when it benefits us? Can we truly be considered good people if we only act kindly towards those who are in our immediate vicinity?

Perhaps this quote is a reminder that our conscience is not a fixed entity, but rather something that we can cultivate and develop over time. By consistently making ethical choices, we can strengthen our moral compass and make it easier to act in accordance with our values. Ultimately, the decision to listen to our conscience is up to us, and it is our responsibility to ensure that we are living in alignment with our beliefs.