Isn't that saying "Always let your conscience be your guide" just an excuse?

Question

for people whom don't want to do anything to appeal to people that actually have a good system of ethics to take action? It just seems like that's where it comes from, or to me "always be honest and do the right things" seems never to be followed by most people in power.
My conscience has gotten me in sticky situations just because I was trying to be nice to someone. Like staying after work to finish something and missing a romantic evening with someone I love, as a prime example.

So, yeah, why should I "always let my conscience be my guide" if it just gets me trampled on?

I want more romantic evenings.
My new phrase is now "Nice guys finish last."

When I mean staying after, I mean finishing the work that everyone else that works there decided to skimp out on.

Answer 1

You were not listening to your conscience when you stayed at work and missed your dinner. Your conscience wanted you to go home like everyone else. Perhaps some (for lack of a better word) fear inside you convinced you that if you didn't stay and do this, you might not be regarded favorable by those you work with/for. People take advantage of other people in that way, I know cos it happens to me all of the time. I'd rather keep my job and mumble under my breath, and hope that at review time I get a good raise, or I could not work there anymore. Sometimes, you just have to say no to other people. They do it to you, don't they? They just assume that you will stay and do the work cos you're a reliable person. Say no when you want to say no, you don't have to always say yes. You have a life, and someone who loves you, that's way too important to put off for work. Good luck to you!

Answer 2

Your question is pretty convoluted. I wouldn't blame it on your conscience because you were being nice to finish a project and missing your romantic evening. Your conscience would have told you to go home to your loved one. Was it a desire to get credit for finishing a job that no one else wanted to do? That situation appears to be a toss up of wanting to get ahead or being someones door mat. Your conscience will prevent you from being a doormat, if you listen to what it's telling you. People in a position of power will use people that believe "always be honest and do the right thing" that's how they know they can trust you (good thing) but it can also put you in a position of being used (very bad). Trust your instincts to protect you from those situations. Nice guys may finish last but at least they can sleep at night! Good luck :o)

Answer 3

Your decision to stay and finish your work is good. The lack of communication you had with the date was not so good. People do not want to feel that work is more important than them. Being a work alcoholic is a quick way to loose relationships for it tells them something else that your words can not over- write. A healthy balance is important.

I was a work alcoholic also and I realized that the more I did for my employer the more money he made and the more greedy he got and He didn't appreciate it anyway. Then my family suffered and I lost my Dad and no one was happy. Some times to an employer you are only worth what you are about to get done and the dedication you put in and the cost to you is overlooked. Make healthy relational decisions first for we you are about to die you will not say man I wish I worked more.

Answer 4

I do see what you are saying about it being a cop out. It would be easier to say that than to say "You are wrong." I do think that our conscience does guide us daily. Mine is usually my mothers voice and it causes me to push myself too much, even to the point that she is telling me I am too hard on myself. I do think that the result would be different for each person who used that as their code of conduct and it does depend on the way you were raised or things that were done to you that you did not like. For instance in your situation I think that my conscience would not have allowed me to bail out on someone that I loved for work. I have had that done to me too many times. I would have done my job to the fullest and let the chips fall where they may for the rest of the folks. I don't think that it is "Nice guys finish last" as much as it is "Doormats finish last". Set you priorities and then stick to them. You live you learn.

Answer 5

I agree nice guy's finish last. In a sense if you are too passive you are going to get walked over. You need to have a sense of discernment of every situation. Im only going to do things that will bring life and light into people's lives. Not be the door mat. Bring down the "man" and be cool about life and our actions. Being true to ourselves and to our purpose in our life.

Answer 6

Acting on your conscience is a good rule of thumb...for you. It means that you will be able to live with your decisions...as you have followed your conscience. It can be, however, a very dangerous notion in our society. Everyone's conscience is different...and their level of decency may not be as high as yours. The VT shooter, for example, certainly let his conscience be his guide. But he lacked conscience, clearly...

Answer 7

People who say that think one's conscience is God speaking to you. Oh no, God would not have handed out the Ten Commandments were he too sure about your conscience. "I'm just giving out these blank stone tablets and let your conscience be your guide?"

Answer 8

you gets fired right this moment, besides. I actually have a feeling you're no longer very sneaky... and your boss banned you from this place. i think of you're able to attempt extra beneficial perplexing to no longer snicker at fart jokes. i are conscious of it extremely is tough... yet think of of your drug habit.

Answer 9

I know how u feel . There is another saying: What goes around comes around. What u do for or to others today will someday be paid back to you.

Answer 10

lol.