Court of Conscience

Court of Conscience
Conscience Con"science, n. [F. conscience, fr. L. conscientia, fr. consciens, p. pr. of conscire to know, to be conscious; con- + scire to know. See {Science}.] 1. Knowledge of one's own thoughts or actions; consciousness. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

The sweetest cordial we receive, at last, Is conscience of our virtuous actions past. --Denham. [1913 Webster]

2. The faculty, power, or inward principle which decides as to the character of one's own actions, purposes, and affections, warning against and condemning that which is wrong, and approving and prompting to that which is right; the moral faculty passing judgment on one's self; the moral sense. [1913 Webster]

My conscience hath a thousand several tongues, And every tongue brings in a several tale, And every tale condemns me for a villain. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

As science means knowledge, conscience etymologically means self-knowledge . . . But the English word implies a moral standard of action in the mind as well as a consciousness of our own actions. . . . Conscience is the reason, employed about questions of right and wrong, and accompanied with the sentiments of approbation and condemnation. --Whewell. [1913 Webster]

3. The estimate or determination of conscience; conviction or right or duty. [1913 Webster]

Conscience supposes the existence of some such [i.e., moral] faculty, and properly signifies our consciousness of having acted agreeably or contrary to its directions. --Adam Smith. [1913 Webster]

4. Tenderness of feeling; pity. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

{Conscience clause}, a clause in a general law exempting persons whose religious scruples forbid compliance therewith, -- as from taking judicial oaths, rendering military service, etc.

{Conscience money}, stolen or wrongfully acquired money that is voluntarily restored to the rightful possessor. Such money paid into the United States treasury by unknown debtors is called the Conscience fund.

{Court of Conscience}, a court established for the recovery of small debts, in London and other trading cities and districts. [Eng.] --Blackstone.

{In conscience}, {In all conscience}, in deference or obedience to conscience or reason; in reason; reasonably. ``This is enough in conscience.'' --Howell. ``Half a dozen fools are, in all conscience, as many as you should require.'' --Swift.

{To make conscience of}, {To make a matter of conscience}, to act according to the dictates of conscience concerning (any matter), or to scruple to act contrary to its dictates. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Court of Conscience — Fully developed by 17th century European theology, the concept of the Court Of Conscience held that one s conscience would testify for or against one s actions in life after death. During life, the faculty of conscience was like, but not the same …   Wikipedia

  • court of conscience — An English court for the collection of small debts; a court of equity. Harper v Clayton, 84 Md 346, 35 A 1083. A court of equity is a court of conscience, and whatever, therefore, is unconscionable is odious in its sight. Fraud is more odious… …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • Court of Conscience — The same as Courts of Request (q.v.). This name was also frequently applied to the courts of equity or of chancery, not as name but as a description. See also conscience …   Black's law dictionary

  • Court of Conscience — The same as Courts of Request (q.v.). This name was also frequently applied to the courts of equity or of chancery, not as name but as a description. See also conscience …   Black's law dictionary

  • court of conscience — see court of equity …   Useful english dictionary

  • Conscience — Con science, n. [F. conscience, fr. L. conscientia, fr. consciens, p. pr. of conscire to know, to be conscious; con + scire to know. See {Science}.] 1. Knowledge of one s own thoughts or actions; consciousness. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] The sweetest… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Conscience clause — Conscience Con science, n. [F. conscience, fr. L. conscientia, fr. consciens, p. pr. of conscire to know, to be conscious; con + scire to know. See {Science}.] 1. Knowledge of one s own thoughts or actions; consciousness. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Conscience money — Conscience Con science, n. [F. conscience, fr. L. conscientia, fr. consciens, p. pr. of conscire to know, to be conscious; con + scire to know. See {Science}.] 1. Knowledge of one s own thoughts or actions; consciousness. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • conscience — The moral sense; the faculty of judging the moral qualities of actions, or of discriminating between right and wrong; particularly applied to one s perception and judgment of the moral qualities of his own conduct, but in a wider sense, denoting… …   Black's law dictionary

  • conscience — The moral sense; the faculty of judging the moral qualities of actions, or of discriminating between right and wrong; particularly applied to one s perception and judgment of the moral qualities of his own conduct, but in a wider sense, denoting… …   Black's law dictionary

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