Charity, Proctor, charity. What I have heard in her favor, I will not fear to testify in court. God help me, I cannot judge her guilty or innocent – I know not. Only this consider: the world goes mad, and it profits nothing you should lay the cause to the vengeance of a little girl.
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 2. Reverend Hale attempts to calm John Proctor down, after Cheever arrives to his home to arrest Elizabeth for witchcraft. He cautions John that blaming the witch trials on Abigail’s thirst for vengeance won’t help his case. Hale doesn’t believe that Abigail and the other girls are faking and takes the accusations of witchcraft seriously. At this stage he still has confidence in the court and that justice will be done. He shows himself to be naive here.