FRANCIS NURSE: I have brought trouble on these people. I have – .
DANFORTH: No, old man, you have not hurt these people if they are of good conscience.
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 3. Francis Nurse laments that he has brought trouble on the 91 petitioners who stated that his wife Rebecca, Elizabeth Proctor and Martha Corey are innocent of witchcraft. The 91 are being arrested so they can questioned by the court. Judge Danforth’s response that those "of good conscience" need have no fear as they will not be hurt is ironic. Innocent people have been accused of being witches and forced to confess to crimes they did not commit in order to save their lives.