Welcome to the section of our Dictionary of Clichés where we explore the heart and soul, quite literally, of the term “One’s conscience”. 🧠💡
A Still Small Voice in History
To start us off, did you know that the phrase “still small voice” has quite biblical origins? It’s pulled straight from 1 Kings 19:12, where the prophet Elijah hears his inner voice: “And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” You don’t need to be trekking up Mt. Sinai to sense a twinge of moral clarity — sometimes all it takes is an ethical eureka moment in the quiet of your own mind. 🌄✨
Major literati, including Gray, Cowper, Byron, Tennyson, and Erasmus Darwin (grandad to Charles Darwin, believe it or not), couldn’t resist weaving it into their timeless prose and poetry:
“Inexorable conscience holds his court,
With still, small voice the plot of guilt alarms” — Mores Concluded (circa 1794).
Some say it’s less heard today, but hey, maybe it’s because people are cranking up life’s volume too much! 🎧🔊
Similar Terms and Expressions
- Moral Compass: You won’t find North, East, West in this compass, only right from wrong. 🧭
- Inner Voice: Less Siri, more your internal moral GPS guiding the way.
- Gut Feeling: Sometimes your intestines moonlight as philosophers.
Synonyms
- Ethics
- Moral sense
- Scruples
Antonyms
- Immorality
- Unconcern
- Neglect
Quotes, Anyone?
Shakespeare had a knack for the moral leanings too:
“Give me that man
That is not passion’s slave and I will wear him
In my heart’s core, ay, in my heart of heart.”
– Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2 😈⬅️➡️😇
For something more modern, try Gandalf from ‘Lord of the Rings’:
“A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.”
(This has nothing to do with conscience, but don’t you feel morally compelled to agree?)
Suggested Reads and Movies
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Books:
- “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky: Inner turmoil at its best! 📚🚨
- “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad: Because nothing says moral dilemma like a trip up a river. 🌊❓
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Movies:
- The Shawshank Redemption – If you’re in the mood for some prison-induced conscientious reflection. 🏢🔓
- To Kill a Mockingbird – Where Atticus and moral compasses shine as bright as the sun in Alabama. 🌞⚖️
Farewell, dear word enthusiasts. Remember, in the cacophony of life, never underestimate the power of that whispering moral guide within you. Stay true, stay thoughtful, and may your inner voice always lead you to eloquence and enlightenment. Until next time!
Yours in words and wisdom,
W. T. Wittywords 🖋️✨
