visiting my daughter and her family last week, one of my grandchildren asked me a question about "conscience." Not having given it much thought, I had little to say in response. Well, I've given it much thought since then. And I now do have something to say about it, something that may interest you.

First, what is "conscience"? Well, the editors at Webster's made a gallant effort to define it. They said that "conscience" is "the sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions, or character, together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good."

Now I don't know about you, but that definition does nothing for me.

So I decided to do some operational thinking about it. Meaning that rather than trying to determine what "conscience" is, I would focus on how it works instead.

The first thing that came to me was that whatever "conscience" is, it makes you feel uncomfortable.

Second, whatever "conscience" is, it can't be rationalized away. Therefore, it's not located in the head, but in the heart. In the gut.

Third, it has the ability to gnaw away at you. No matter how hard you try to ignore it or cover it up, it just won't go away. It just won't stop making you feel uncomfortable.

And fourth, everyone has a conscience.

All of which probably caused philosopher R.C. Trench to observe that what the fool does in the end, the wise man does in the beginning.

So if you're wise, you'll let your conscience truly be your guide. That way you'll save an awful lot of time and pain backtracking.

Think about it.