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About this quote

What does it mean?
Fear can cause people to abandon morals and follow false accusations.
In plain terms
In scary times, we might ignore old rules and follow the crowd blindly.
What can you take from it?
Panic makes people ignore morality and follow dangerous trends.

Where it applies

  • historical analysis
  • courtroom drama
  • social psychology

Putting it to work

  • leadership
  • ethical decision making
  • conflict resolution

Questions to consider

  • When does fear override ethics?
  • How do we stay moral in panic?

Another view

Sometimes following safety protocols is necessary during true crises.

More from Arthur Miller

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  2. Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers? I'll tell you what's walking Salem - vengeance is walking Salem. We are …

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  3. I like it not that Mr. Parris should lay his hand upon my baby. I see no light of God in that man. I'll not conceal it.

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