Because it speaks deceit, and I am honest! But I’ll plead no more! I see now your spirit twists around the single error of my life, and I will never tear it free!
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 2. John Proctor explains to Elizabeth why he angers when she demands he tell Abigail she’s a whore and break whatever promise she feels he gave her. John believes that would be deceitful of him, since he never made any promises to Abigail, so there is nothing to break. He hasn’t fully faced up to deceiving his wife through his affair with Abby.