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There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience

Meaning: Peace of mind and restful sleep come only from living and acting honorably.

Origin: French proverb, with variations found across European cultures since the Renaissance.

Translations

  • French: Il n'y a pas d'oreiller si doux qu'une conscience tranquille (literally: There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience)
  • Spanish: No hay almohada tan suave como una conciencia tranquila (literally: There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience)
  • Japanese: 清い良心ほど柔らかい枕はない (Kiyoi ryōshin hodo yawarakai makura wa nai) (literally: There is no pillow softer than a clear conscience)

More proverbs about Morality

  • The more laws, the less justice — Excessive rules and regulations can undermine rather than promote fairness.
  • Know thyself — Self-knowledge and self-awareness are the foundation of all wisdom and right living.
  • Waste not, want not — Using things carefully and avoiding waste prevents future need and scarcity.
  • Let the punishment fit the crime — Penalties should be proportional and appropriate to the offense committed.
  • He who permits wickedness commands it — Silently allowing wrongdoing makes you as responsible as the wrongdoer.
  • The truth is rarely pure and never simple — Reality is complex and nuanced; anyone claiming simple certainty should be viewed with sk…

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