A Clear Conscience is the Softest Pillow

A CLEAR CONSCIENCE IS THE SOFTEST PILLOW

Musings of a Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE

As you lie down on your bed at the end of the day – before you go to sleep – close your eyes – and – think of the events of the day. 

Is there anything on your conscience...? 

Is there something you wish you had not done...?

Decide what you are going to do about it in order to clear your conscience.  

Yes – think about it.

Is is possible for you to take some mitigating action so that your conscience becomes clear...?

If you cannot do anything about it – just forget it – and resolve not to do it again. 

And then – with a clear conscience – go to sleep.

I heard a Russian saying once:

“A clear conscience is the softest pillow...”

Mahatma Gandhi once said: 

Happiness is when what you THINK – what you SAY – and – what you DO – are in Harmony. 

In order to be happy: 

You must ensure that there is no discrepancy between these three things: 

1. what you THINK 

2. what you SAY 

3. what you DO 

So – make sure that you do not create conflict between your THOUGHTS, your WORDS and your DEEDS. 

Speak out only what is in your mind – and – try to do what you say. 

SAY what you THINK – and – DO what you SAY

Sometimes – you may think something – but – you may say something else – which is at variance from what is your mind – for the sake of politeness – or maybe – for social graces.

But – this inner hypocrisy will cause you internal stress – owing to the dissonance between your thought and deed. 

It is best to be honest, truthful and straightforward. 

Be outspoken – and – speak out your mind.

But – if for some reason you cannot speak out what is in your mind – then is it better to remain silent – rather than say something contrary to your views – just for the sake of politeness or sycophancy.

Similarly – you must do what you say.

You must always “walk your talk”...

Otherwise – this external hypocrisy will not only tarnish your reputation – but will also lower your self-esteem in your own eyes.

So – Dear Reader – it is best to avoid both “internal hypocrisy” and “external hypocrisy”...

Remember: 

“A clear conscience is the softest pillow...” 

VIKRAM KARVE

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I, Vikram Karve, wrote this pep talk almost 27 years ago in 1991 and I have posted it online on my blogs earlier an number of times including at urls:  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/11/clear-conscience-is-softest-pillow.html  and  http://creative.sulekha.com/a-clear-conscience-is-the-softest-pillow_550270_blog  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/08/good-night-sleep-tight-god-bless-how-to.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/12/the-secret-of-sound-sleep-how-to-sleep.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/08/motivational-pep-talk-clear-conscience.html etc