# Quote — Arthur Miller, The Crucible

> Though our own hearts break, we cannot flinch; these are new times, sir. There is a misty plot afoot so subtle we should be criminal to cling to old respect and ancient friendships. I have seen too many frightful proofs in court — the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!

- Author: [Arthur Miller](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-miller.md)
- Book: [The Crucible](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-miller/the-crucible.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Arthur_Miller#The_Crucible_(1953)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-miller/the-crucible/though-our-own

## More from this book

> In an ordinary crime, how does one defend the accused? One calls up witnesses to prove his innocence. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not? Therefore, who may possibly be witness to it? The witch and the victim. None other. Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? Therefore, we must rely upon her victims — and they do testify, the children certainly do testify. As for the witches, none will deny that we are most eager for all their confessions. Therefore, what is left for a lawyer to bring out? I think I have made my point. Have I not?

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-miller/the-crucible/in-an-ordinary.md)

> A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as you quail now when you know in all your black hearts that this be fraud — God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-miller/the-crucible/a-fire-a-fire.md)

> A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between. This is a sharp time, now, a precise time — we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-miller/the-crucible/a-person-is-either.md)