Honesty is the best policy; a phrase that implies one must be honest at all times. This phrase is often learned from a young age and used in many different religions. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, the Quaker village of Salem also supports this psalm written in the Bible. One of the members of the community is a handsome farmer named John Proctor, a man who broke the laws of the Ten Commandments. However, for all of John Proctor's faults, he is an exceptionally honest man. He confessed to his wife that he had committed adultery, admits in court the reality behind Abigail's lies and her adultery, and he maintains this truth until his death. Even though the confession brought him heartache and even his demise, John spoke not only for himself, but for everyone he cares about. One of John Proctor's many faults is that he committed adultery with seventeen-year-old Abigail Williams. Elizabeth caught wind of this and, despite her reluctance, questioned John, who confessed the truth. Even though John did not have to tell his wife about the affair, he still did, and in doing so, "she [Elizabeth] suddenly lost all trust in him [John]" (54). Proctor felt bad for lying to his wife and admitted the truth, even though he knew the penalty for adultery was death. Seven months later, Elizabeth still wants it. “I didn't go from there to there without thinking of pleasing you” (54), John says after being questioned, once again, by Elizabeth about why he came home late. Proctor thinks about what is best for Elizabeth, which is why he admitted to his affair, despite the fact that he lost her trust and favor because of it. John Proctor goes to court after his wife, and his friends are accused of witchcraft and d... .... middle of paper ......t of his sons growing up with a name he was about to sully . John refuses to allow the Proctor family name and the names of the other defendants to be tarnished. With John's refusal to allow his confession of lying to be shown to the community, he is sentenced to death. As “the drums sound like bones in the morning air” (145), John Proctor is hanged for maintaining the truth that he never participated in witchcraft. After everything John Proctor has done, he is one of the most honest people in the room. He confessed many of his sins while knowing he could die for them and maintaining the truth even in the face of adversity. John is an example of a sincere person and he should inspire him. As the saying goes, honesty is the best policy, and this phrase should be upheld just as Proctor upheld it. Works Cited Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York, NY: Penguin, 1996. Print