The quote from Shakespeare's "Richard III" suggests that conscience is merely a concept exploited by the fearful to control the powerful. This perspective presents conscience not as a moral compass but as a tool wielded by those lacking strength or courage, intending to maintain dominance over others. It implies that the idea of right and wrong is manipulated to stifle the ambitions of the strong.
By framing conscience this way, the quote challenges traditional views of morality, indicating that it may serve the interests of the weak rather than being an inherent virtue. This insight provokes reflection on the nature of power, ethics, and the interplay between strength and morality in human behavior.