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The Story of a Conscience
An opportunity to right a wrong that had been done, but at what cost.
- GenresShort StoriesClassics
Audible Audio
Published May 2, 2012
11 people want to read
About the author
Ambrose Bierce
2,408 books1,296 followersdied perhaps 1914
Caustic wit and a strong sense of horror mark works, including In the Midst of Life (1891-1892) and The Devil's Dictionary (1906), of American writer Ambrose Gwinett Bierce.
People today best know this editorialist, journalist, and fabulist for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his lexicon.
The informative sardonic view of human nature alongside his vehemence as a critic with his motto, "nothing matters," earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce."
People knew Bierce despite his reputation as a searing critic, however, to encourage younger poet George Sterling and fiction author W.C. Morrow.
Bierce employed a distinctive style especially in his stories. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events.
Bierce disappeared in December 1913 at the age of 71 years. People think that he traveled to Mexico to gain a firsthand perspective on ongoing revolution of that country.
Theories abound on a mystery, ultimate fate of Bierce. He in one of his final letters stated: "Good-bye. If you hear of my being stood up against a Mexican stone wall and shot to rags, please know that I think it is a pretty good way to depart this life. It beats old age, disease, or falling down the cellar stairs. To be a Gringo in Mexico--ah, that is euthanasia!"
Caustic wit and a strong sense of horror mark works, including In the Midst of Life (1891-1892) and The Devil's Dictionary (1906), of American writer Ambrose Gwinett Bierce.
People today best know this editorialist, journalist, and fabulist for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his lexicon.
The informative sardonic view of human nature alongside his vehemence as a critic with his motto, "nothing matters," earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce."
People knew Bierce despite his reputation as a searing critic, however, to encourage younger poet George Sterling and fiction author W.C. Morrow.
Bierce employed a distinctive style especially in his stories. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events.
Bierce disappeared in December 1913 at the age of 71 years. People think that he traveled to Mexico to gain a firsthand perspective on ongoing revolution of that country.
Theories abound on a mystery, ultimate fate of Bierce. He in one of his final letters stated: "Good-bye. If you hear of my being stood up against a Mexican stone wall and shot to rags, please know that I think it is a pretty good way to depart this life. It beats old age, disease, or falling down the cellar stairs. To be a Gringo in Mexico--ah, that is euthanasia!"
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 14, 2025
Flat (1.5⭐️)
This story left me feeling more confused than moved. I wasn’t entirely sure what the author was aiming for beyond a very basic idea.
At its core, the narrative follows two soldiers who briefly recognize each other’s humanity during wartime, realizing that there is no real personal rivalry between them. While this concept has potential, it isn’t developed any further.
Aside from this single moment of realization, the story offers little substance. It didn’t provoke emotion, raise meaningful questions, or leave a lasting impression. Overall, it felt underwhelming and incomplete — a story that touches on an idea but never truly explores it.
This story left me feeling more confused than moved. I wasn’t entirely sure what the author was aiming for beyond a very basic idea.
At its core, the narrative follows two soldiers who briefly recognize each other’s humanity during wartime, realizing that there is no real personal rivalry between them. While this concept has potential, it isn’t developed any further.
Aside from this single moment of realization, the story offers little substance. It didn’t provoke emotion, raise meaningful questions, or leave a lasting impression. Overall, it felt underwhelming and incomplete — a story that touches on an idea but never truly explores it.
February 22, 2017
When the events of you past catch up with you, what do you do?
October 8, 2024
Very Good.
This was very good, but not going to review it.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1888] [20p] [Historical] [3.5] [Conditional Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ The Damned Thing.
★★★★☆ An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. [3.5]
★★★☆☆ Un Habitante de Carcosa y otros Relatos de Terror.
★★★☆☆ Civil War Stories. <-- [2.5]
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Muy Bueno.
Esto estuvo muy bien, pero no voy a reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1888] [20p] [Histórico] [3.5] [Recomendable Condicional]
-----------------------------------------------
This was very good, but not going to review it.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1888] [20p] [Historical] [3.5] [Conditional Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ The Damned Thing.
★★★★☆ An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. [3.5]
★★★☆☆ Un Habitante de Carcosa y otros Relatos de Terror.
★★★☆☆ Civil War Stories. <-- [2.5]
-----------------------------------------------
Muy Bueno.
Esto estuvo muy bien, pero no voy a reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1888] [20p] [Histórico] [3.5] [Recomendable Condicional]
-----------------------------------------------
May 24, 2016
I've arranged my thoughts into a haiku:
"Speared by irony,
Caught between duty and debt,
Torn in twain by fate."
"Speared by irony,
Caught between duty and debt,
Torn in twain by fate."
November 11, 2025
The Story of a Conscience by Ambrose Bierce receives four stars from with the possibility that it will be upgraded in time to five.
I'm not sure I'm a huge fan of Bierce's prose, but his themes in this story are really good and I feel we developed. I think it is a good story for a good discussion.
This was an audio version from the you tube channel Gates of Imagination. I suggest logging on and checking them out. This version was read by Billy Dickson. I thought his reading was good. I'm going to listen to parts again to see if it is the recording speed that kind of bothered me thought.
Recommended: Yes.
I'm not sure I'm a huge fan of Bierce's prose, but his themes in this story are really good and I feel we developed. I think it is a good story for a good discussion.
This was an audio version from the you tube channel Gates of Imagination. I suggest logging on and checking them out. This version was read by Billy Dickson. I thought his reading was good. I'm going to listen to parts again to see if it is the recording speed that kind of bothered me thought.
Recommended: Yes.
October 20, 2022
This story poignantly highlights what the cost of a tweak of conscience has for honorable men.
Publisher's Summary: "The Story of a Conscience" is a classic story by Ambrose Bierce, relating how soldiers are often closer to one another, on either side of a war, than to outsiders. This story probes the depths of complicated issues that come up during wartime, including loyalty, trust, and of course, conscience.
Publisher's Summary: "The Story of a Conscience" is a classic story by Ambrose Bierce, relating how soldiers are often closer to one another, on either side of a war, than to outsiders. This story probes the depths of complicated issues that come up during wartime, including loyalty, trust, and of course, conscience.
April 19, 2023
Two opposing combatants demonstrate honorable behavior, over and above the usual call of duty, in the face of death.
Portrays our common humanity.
Portrays our common humanity.
June 29, 2023
This was a fantastic short story of a soldier’s past coming back to bite him. He knows he did something very wrong but attesting to it is hard.
July 1, 2025
5/10
August 17, 2025
As with most of Bierce's stories an unexpected ending. Was justice served?
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews