136. But let examples illustrate what conscience is. If a man have possession of another's property, that other being ignorant of the fact, and thus can appropriate it to himself without fear of the law, or of the loss of honour and reputation; and nevertheless restores it to the other because it is not his own, he has conscience; for he does what is good for the sake of what is good, and what is just for the sake of what is just. Again, if any one has it in his power to obtain an office, but knows that another person, also a candidate, would be more useful to the country; and he yields to the other man, for the sake of the country's good, he has a good conscience. So in all other cases.