hiri + otappa = shame and dread, not "conscience and prudence"

 

hirikopīnappaṭicchādanatthaṃ

ind. to conceal the genitals; lit. for the purpose of covering the shameful private parts [hirikopīna + paṭicchādana + attha + aṃ] ✓

MN 2.3.1 (Robes to ward off cold and heat, mosquitos...)

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā paṭisevanā pahātabbā?	And what are the asinine-inclinations that should be given up by using?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso cīvaraṃ paṭisevati:	Take a monk who, reflecting properly, makes use of robes:
‘yāvadeva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya, ḍaṃsamakasavātātapasarīsapasamphassānaṃ paṭighātāya, yāvadeva hirikopīnappaṭicchādanatthaṃ’.	‘Only for the sake of warding off cold and heat; for warding off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, and reptiles; and for covering the private parts.’

A nun or monk wears a robe so they don't walk around naked.

If someone grabbed their robe and tore it, off, would they feel "shame" because their private parts are exposed?

or would they feel "conscience"? 

The word otappa has the root √tap which means really hot 

otappati pr. is heated; becomes warm [ava + √tap] ✗

Do you "fear" touching a hot stove?

Do you "dread" touching a hot stove?

Or do you feel "prudence" when touching a hot stove?

"conscience and prudence" is a really poor translation of hiri and otappa

It loses the emotional charge, the urgency, the warning of dire consequences that hiri and otappa are supposed to protect you from.

On a nuclear power plant, you want to see clear, bright signs warning of extreme dangers.

Not a discrete, hidden, camoflauged sign, small lettering, hard to read, saying "conscience and prudence should be exercised." 

I can only guess Sujato chose "conscience and prudence" because of emotional baggage from theistic religions with unskillful understandings of 'sin', 'shame', etc.

If you're contemplating actions of killing, stealing, raping, lying,  that's a nuclear reactor that needs bright urgent signs. You should feel shame, fear, dread, not conscience and prudence.

If you're going to a tea party with your friends, and you're worried about what to wear or what kind of snack to bring will cause any offense, that's "conscience and prudence."