Whom conscience, ne’er asleep, Wounds with incessant strokes, not loud, but deep.

This quote speaks to the power and persistence of conscience, which is our inner sense of right and wrong. It suggests that our conscience is always awake, constantly evaluating our actions and decisions. When we do something against it, it doesn’t react violently or loudly; instead, it wounds us with a deep, quiet discomfort that’s hard to ignore.

The ‘incessant strokes’ refer to the constant nudging or prodding by our conscience when we’ve done something wrong. These aren’t loud or dramatic moments but subtle reminders of where we’ve gone astray. The ‘deep’ here signifies the profound effect these reminders have on us – they reach into our psyche and impact how we feel about ourselves.

Applying this idea in today’s world or personal development means recognizing the importance of listening to one’s conscience as a guide for ethical behavior. In an era where moral relativism often blurs lines between right and wrong, adhering to one’s own internal moral compass becomes crucial.

In terms of personal development, this could mean cultivating practices that encourage self-reflection and honesty about one’s actions. It might involve taking time each day to reflect on your actions and their alignment with your values; acknowledging when you’ve made mistakes; making amends when possible; learning from those mistakes so you can make better choices in the future.

Furthermore, understanding this quote can also help us empathize with others who may be dealing with guilt or regret over past actions – realizing that their conscience may be causing them deep discomfort can foster compassion rather than judgment.

Montaigne reminds us not only of the power but also the value of having an active conscience as it serves as an internal guide towards ethical behavior – a lesson very much relevant in both personal growth journeys as well as societal interactions today.