Multi Famam, Conscientiam Pauci Verentur
By William Bailey (09/17/03)
I am told that the translation of this Latin phrase is, “Many fear their reputation, few their consciences”. I would submit that another way of saying it would be, “too many are concerned with what people think instead of doing what they know to be right”. And, I believe there is, certainly, an application of that in today’s world of government and politics.
At the heart of this premise would be that there’s a greater degree of interest in getting elected . . . appealing to certain blocs of voters . . . getting the 30-second sound byte . . . than there is in following one’s conscience. To some, it seems that what’s important is what’s expedient, not what’s in the best interest of the American people. Got an agenda that appeals to a certain group ? Get a law passed. Got a program that serves a special interest group ? Get an entitlement program adopted.
Of course, this approach and philosophy is totally contrary to what was the foundation of this nation. Government was intended to function at the will and consent of the governed. It was never intended that those elected to the great “hallowed halls of Congress” would be all-knowing and all-powerful. As has been stated over and over and over . . . one of the basic fears of the Founders was that the Federal government would become more centralized and, thereby, more powerful. It was never envisioned by the Founders that the role, scope and mission of the Federal government was to be “all things to all people”. It was just never intended to be that way. But, there are too many who “fear their reputation” than there are who “fear their conscience”. And, unfortunately, it’s not just within the Legislative branch. It permeates all three of the branches set by the Constitution.
It is not unreasonable to posit that if the members of all three branches were honoring their oaths of office and complying with the Constitution of the United States, we would find more actions being taken based on conscience than reputation; more would be done for “We the People”, instead of segmented groups within that body. The Preamble is not “muddy” . . . it’s not difficult to understand. Have you read it lately ? If not, here’s what it says:
“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence (sic), promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Nowhere in those words do you find any reference to segments of the population or special interest groups. Nowhere in those words do you find reference to what we, now, know as “entitlement” programs. The whole concept of this nation was based on the first seven words . . . “We the People of the United States”. Even with the words in front of us, we continue to see what has, unfortunately, become “business as usual” . . . government based on a “fear of reputation” by those governing instead of a “fear of conscience” that what’s being done is in the best interest of “We the People”. And, there seems to be no cessation in sight.
Those who founded this nation . . . Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, among others, did not do what they did from the standpoint of a “fear of reputation”. Rather, they took action based on conscience. Certainly, you cannot read the closing words of the other majestic document that created this nation and come to any conclusion other than the Founders were acting on conscience . . . not out of “fear of reputation”.
Remember those words ?
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”.
To have a “fear of reputation” instead of a “fear of conscience”, is not consistent with pledging one’s “sacred Honor”.
“Multi famam, conscientiam pauci verentur”
“Many fear their reputation, few fear their conscience”. To put this nation “back on track”, we need more who function based on conscience than on reputation.
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