\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.]
         The sweetest cordial we receive, at last, Is
         conscience of our virtuous actions past. --Denham.
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.
         My conscience hath a thousand several tongues, And
         every tongue brings in a several tale, And every
         tale condemns me for a villain.       --Shak.
         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.
3. The estimate or determination of conscience; conviction or
   right or duty.
         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.
4. Tenderness of feeling; pity. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{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.