Cogitations 99

Where morality ceases, governmental laws abound. Men of moral conscience govern themselves from within, but unconscionable men must be held to order by external forces. Multitudes of ever increasing, ever changing civil laws are evidence of a moral breakdown in society. They are but a futile attempt to create an external conscience that is far inferior to the inner conscience in governing men. For the inner conscience within follows an individual everywhere; it is a judge of every thought, word, and deed. It is an officer apprehending and arresting preconceived notions before they become actions. On the other hand, external law judges after the fact; it is effective only in as much as apprehension seems likely and enforcement is feared.