[14] See the note at p. [151]. [↑]
FORS CLAVIGERA.
LETTER LIV.
Before going on with my own story to-day, I must fasten down a main principle about doing good work, not yet enough made clear.
It has been a prevalent notion in the minds of well-disposed persons, that if they acted according to their own conscience, they must, therefore, be doing right.
But they assume, in feeling or asserting this, either that there is no Law of God, or that it cannot be known; but only felt, or conjectured.
“I must do what I think right.” How often is this sentence uttered and acted on—bravely—nobly—innocently; but always—because of its egotism—erringly. You must not do what YOU think right, but, whether you or anybody think, or don’t think it, what is right.
“I must act according to the dictates of my conscience.”
By no means, my conscientious friend, unless you are quite sure that yours is not the conscience of an ass. [[156]]