Conscience Quotes
Conscience doth make cowards of us all.
"Conscience doth make cowards of us all."— William Shakespeare
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Meaning of this quote
Hamlet reflects on how thought and uncertainty can weaken the resolve to act. In the soliloquy, the fear of what follows death makes the line more specific than a general criticism of having a moral conscience.
Key takeaway:
Notice when reflection becomes paralysis, while respecting real uncertainty.
Origin of the quote
Hamlet, Act III, Scene I, within Hamlet's soliloquy beginning with the question of existence.
Who actually said this?
VerifiedThe MIT text contains the older verb form used in the post. The title omits the introductory linking word; the statement is Hamlet's dramatic reflection, not a personal maxim by Shakespeare.
