Conscience is closely akin to consciousness. In fact, it could be called moral consciousness, as distinguished from psychological consciousness. Psychological consciousness makes us aware of what we do; it reports to us the action we perform. Moral consciousness or conscience "tells us not only that we act and how we act, but how well we act." Conscience goes beyond a simple awareness of what we have done to a judgment about the values or disvalues embodied in our actions.
— William H. Shannon, Christine M. Bochen, Patrick F. O'Connell, The Thomas Merton Encyclopedia by William H. Shannon, editor, Christine M. Bochen, editor, Patrick F. O'Connell, editor