"A good conscience is a continual feast"
About this Quote
A clear conscience provides a deep sense of inner peace, sustaining personal happiness regardless of external circumstances. Robert Burton’s words suggest that when individuals act according to their principles and moral values, they cultivate an internal environment of contentment. This internal harmony serves as a source of continuous emotional nourishment, much like a feast provides ongoing sustenance to the body.
Those who maintain a good conscience do not waste energy battling guilt, regret, or anxiety over past actions. Instead, they enjoy a steady flow of satisfaction and peace that acts as a spiritual banquet, always available for replenishment. This nourishment is not fleeting or dependent on material rewards or the opinions of others. Rather, it endures through life’s ups and downs, helping people to endure hardship and temptation with grace.
Moreover, this sentiment highlights the self-renewing quality of virtue and integrity. Each honest action, each moment of kindness or restraint, serves to reinforce self-respect and mental tranquility. The contentment derived from living in alignment with one’s values often surpasses the transient pleasures offered by shortcuts or morally dubious decisions. Consuming a continual feast suggests abundance, meaning the reward of a good conscience is limitless and constantly accessible.
This perspective also carries a practical dimension; a person free from the burden of dishonesty or cruelty can face life with greater confidence. Without the shadows of past misdeeds, such individuals tend to have less to hide, less to fear, and fewer internal conflicts. Their relationships flourish through trust and transparency, and their sense of self remains intact even under scrutiny.
Ultimately, Burton’s insight reminds us of the enduring rewards of integrity. While life’s pleasures sometimes prove brief or unsatisfying, the ongoing banquet of a good conscience sustains the spirit indefinitely, providing comfort and strength day after day.
Those who maintain a good conscience do not waste energy battling guilt, regret, or anxiety over past actions. Instead, they enjoy a steady flow of satisfaction and peace that acts as a spiritual banquet, always available for replenishment. This nourishment is not fleeting or dependent on material rewards or the opinions of others. Rather, it endures through life’s ups and downs, helping people to endure hardship and temptation with grace.
Moreover, this sentiment highlights the self-renewing quality of virtue and integrity. Each honest action, each moment of kindness or restraint, serves to reinforce self-respect and mental tranquility. The contentment derived from living in alignment with one’s values often surpasses the transient pleasures offered by shortcuts or morally dubious decisions. Consuming a continual feast suggests abundance, meaning the reward of a good conscience is limitless and constantly accessible.
This perspective also carries a practical dimension; a person free from the burden of dishonesty or cruelty can face life with greater confidence. Without the shadows of past misdeeds, such individuals tend to have less to hide, less to fear, and fewer internal conflicts. Their relationships flourish through trust and transparency, and their sense of self remains intact even under scrutiny.
Ultimately, Burton’s insight reminds us of the enduring rewards of integrity. While life’s pleasures sometimes prove brief or unsatisfying, the ongoing banquet of a good conscience sustains the spirit indefinitely, providing comfort and strength day after day.
Quote Details
| Topic | Ethics & Morality |
|---|---|
| Source | Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621). Often quoted as “A good conscience is a continual feast.” |
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