I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 4. After he signs his confession John Proctor refuses to have it publicly nailed to the church door. This would have the effect of all his neighbors and friends seeing that he admitted to being a witch. The quote shows how important Proctor’s name and reputation is to him.