“ Panther, the confessions of a guilty man sometimes result from the vehemence of his denials. To deny desperately is to confess. Pyrot has confessed; we must have witnesses of his confessions, justice requires them. ”
Anatole France, Penguin Island (1908). copy citation
| Author | Anatole France |
|---|---|
| Source | Penguin Island |
| Topic | justice confession |
| Date | 1908 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1930/1930-h/1930-h.htm |
Context
“Let him confess from patriotism, for the flag, for the sake of order, from respect for the hierarchy, at the special command of the Minister of War militarily.... But tell me, Panther, has he not confessed already? There are tacit confessions; silence is a confession. ” “ But, General, he is not silent; he keeps on squealing like a pig that he is innocent. ” Panther, the confessions of a guilty man sometimes result from the vehemence of his denials. To deny desperately is to confess. Pyrot has confessed; we must have witnesses of his confessions, justice requires them. Gloomy lagoons stretched along its low coasts exhaling a pestilent odour, while fever hovered over its sleepy waters. Here, on the borders of the sea, there was built a high square tower, like the old Campanile at Venice, from the side of which, close to the summit hung an open cage which was fastened by a chain to a transverse beam.”
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