Conscience
To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.
(Abraham Lincoln)
What is right
'Conscience' is an inner sense of right and wrong.
It is a feeling rather than a thought; it cannot be articulated,
rationalised or explained logically.
Often conscience runs contrary to reason.
'Right conduct' is at the heart of
chivalry and
bushido.
Courage
Throughout history, people have stood up for what is right.
They have taken a stand; openly or quietly.
In a society that
tells you to serve yourself it takes
courage to
serve
others.
You run the risk of ridicule and insult, of being misunderstood and
punished.
Heroism
Imagine the courage of Martin Luther King or Gandhi.
It is inconceivable how they could be so brave and so dedicated to what is
right, when faced with such impossible odds.
Many martial artists think that honour and courage are to be found in the
ring, but there is nothing honourable about beating a man unconscious with
your fist.
If you want to prove your courage, do it in life: stand up for
those who
cannot fight
back.
Conscience
Everyone has a conscience.
What matters is whether or not you choose to listen to it and act.
Doing the right thing will not always be the most popular choice or
politically agreeable.
Live without harming others.
Page created 27 March 2000