Conscience-smitten for Dummies

Conscience-smitten is a term that might sound a little complicated at first, but fear not, my dear student, for I am here to help you understand it in the simplest way possible. Now, have you ever done something that you knew was wrong, but it bothered you so much that you couldn't stop thinking about it? Well, that feeling you have, that inner voice telling you that you've done something you shouldn't have, is your conscience. It's like a little angel on your shoulder, helping you tell right from wrong.

So, when we say someone is conscience-smitten, it means that their conscience is really bothering them. It's like their conscience is hitting them hard, making them feel guilty or regretful for something they have done. Just like when you accidentally broke your friend's toy and you couldn't forgive yourself because you knew it was wrong. That feeling of guilt and sadness is what being conscience-smitten feels like.

But wait, there's more! The word can also be used in another way. Sometimes, people use conscience-smitten to describe someone who is deeply affected by a moral dilemma or a difficult decision they have to make. It's like having this inner struggle, where you're torn between doing what's right and what's easy or convenient. You might sometimes feel confused and troubled, thinking about the consequences of your choices. That overwhelming feeling of being stuck in a moral conundrum is what being conscience-smitten means in this context.

So, to sum it all up, my friend, conscience-smitten refers to feeling guilty, regretful, or troubled by something you've done wrong, or when you're struggling with a difficult decision and grappling with the consequences of your choices. It's like having your conscience giving you a big smack on the head, making you reflect deeply on your actions and choices.