The consciousness of duty makes us conscious of the divinity of our soul and, vice versa, the consciousness of the divinity of our soul makes us conscious of duty.
There is something in our souls that, if we pay proper attention to it, we will always observe with great wonder (and whenever a feeling of wonder is rightful, it also acts to elevate our souls)—this something is the original moral inclinations embedded in us.
— Kant
A human being’s dignity lies in that spiritual source which is sometimes called reason, sometimes conscience. This source rises above what is local and transient, it contains unquestionable, eternal truth. In the midst of the imperfect it sees perfection. It is universal, impartial and always opposed to all that is partial and selfish in human nature. This source tells each of us with authority that our neighbor is just as worthy as us, and that his rights are just as sacred as ours. It commands us to accept the truth, however much our pride finds it repulsive, and to be just, however unprofitable it may be for us. This source calls towards that which is sublime, sacred and happy, in whomever we find these qualities. This source is the ray of divinity in the human being.
— Channing
People attain heavenly joy, attain bliss in corporeal life. Such people are pure because their only desire is to lead good lives. When the mind and the heart are pure, divinity is revealed to them.
— Vishnu Purana
A more secret, sweet, and overpowering beauty appears to man when his heart and mind open to the sentiment of virtue. Then he is instructed in what is above him. He learns that his being is without bound; that, to the good, to the perfect, he is born, low as he now lies in evil and weakness. That which he venerates is still his own, though he has not realized it yet. He ought. He knows the sense of that grand word.
— Emerson
The voice of conscience is the voice of God.
