There must be a moral bond first. All a man can betray is his conscience.
 Joseph Conrad, Under Western Eyes (1911). copy citation

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Author Joseph Conrad
Source Under Western Eyes
Topic conscience moral
Date 1911
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2480/2480-h/2480-h.htm

Context

“Then for some twenty yards or more all was blank. He wrapped his cloak closer round him. He pulled his cap well forward over his eyes. “Betray. A great word. What is betrayal? They talk of a man betraying his country, his friends, his sweetheart. There must be a moral bond first. All a man can betray is his conscience. And how is my conscience engaged here; by what bond of common faith, of common conviction, am I obliged to let that fanatical idiot drag me down with him? On the contrary—every obligation of true courage is the other way.”” source