the hour of truth essay

The Hour of Truth Short Summary by Percival Wilde 12th English

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Introduction

In the play “The Hour of Truth”, Percival Wilde has indirectly personified Money as most powerful through the story of a small family where the protagonist, Robert Baldwin, is forced to sacrifice his nobility and to accept a crime just for the sake of a hundred thousand dollars.

Percival Wilde doesn’t intends to depict any of the family as greedy but he rather wants to stress that money can alter the mind of the most honest ones and also explores greed from different sides .

Wait for Robert Baldwin

The play begins in the absence of the protagonist, Robert Baldwin, where his wife and daughter are tensed and waiting for Baldwin. They are looking at the dark sky and are not sure about the rain. They don’t know whether Baldwin will take his umbrella or not. While they are waiting for Robert’s arrival, they talk about Gresham, in whose bank Robert works.

The audience is informed after their conversation that Gresham has been imprisoned because of the closure of bank due to financial crisis. His trial is on the next day and it is Baldwin, who is supposed to give evidence against him.

But Gresham calls Robert that day, due to which the entire family of Robert is curious to know what actually happened and when Evie suspects Robert’s involvement in the wrecking of the bank, Maratha interrupts to make Evie aware of the fact that Robert is an extremely loyal man and he can never think to commit crime.

John immediately informs that he has seen Donovan, the assistant cashier the last day at the Athletic Club. Donovan has worked there for about eight years. John suspects his father that he must have known about it. John feels that because of John Gresham, his name is ruined. He angrily says that Gresham has been acquiring a lot of wealth in the twenty years while his honest father is getting just sixty dollars a week.

Robert Appears

Finally Robert enters into the house and everyone is curious to know what has actually happened in the bank. On being questioned, Robert tells them that Gresham has tried to offer him a hundred thousand dollars which he refused to accept and he is not ready to tell any sort of lie which can later question his authenticity and morality.

This was the point when the mentality of Robert’s family begins to alter on hearing the amount of money. Instead of proudly appreciating him, the family begin to convince him to accept the bribe, offered by Gresham.

The family begin to manipulate him to say a lie and to help John Gresham. Maratha says that by disgracing Gresham, he will be disgracing his son whose name has been kept after Gresham’s name (John Gresham). It was John Gresham who sponsored John’s baptising.

Suddenly, Evie interrupts and puts her point of view that Robert Baldwin will be hated for sending Gresham into the jail if Gresham tells the depositors that he will pay everything back the next day. John supports her by saying that Robert can become his partner if Gresham is not sent to jail.

Robert Gets Angry

All these mean and selfish comments make Robert angry. But Maratha continues saying that he is the sole breadwinner of the family and his income his not sufficient for the Survival of the family. The family can be saved from the shortage of Bank only if Robert agrees to accept the bribe.

It was totally unbelievable for Robert to believe that the family whom he used to think as “Humble, Loyal and Selfless” are so mean and greedy. He calls them “Shams, Liars, Hypocrites and Thieves”. The family was so greedy that despite the insult, they manipulate Robert to accept the bribe.

By this time, Mr. Marshall, the President of the Third National Bank, enters and gives them a happy news that Gresham has confessed his guilt and a good job is waiting for Robert at Third National Bank. He is extremely drawn to Robert’s honesty and says to his family that “ I can only say to you what every man will be saying tomorrow: “how highly I honour and respect your husband ””.

Here the play ends.

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The Hour of Truth Notes, Summary Plus Two English PDF

Kerala Syllabus Plus Two English Notes Unit II Chapter 3 The Hour of Truth (One-act play)

Chapter 3 the hour of truth (one-act play), summary .

The author of "The Hour of Truth" is Percival Wilde. A Question of Morality and Other Plays is where the play is adapted from. Robert Baldwin, Martha, John, Evie, Mr. Marshall, and a maid are the main protagonists. On a Sunday afternoon, Baldwin's cottage serves as the setting for the action. Robert Baldwin has left the building. His wife and kids are eagerly anticipating his arrival. It's very dark outside. The family anticipates rain, but they are unsure if Baldwin will bring his umbrella or not. The family is discussing John Gresham, whose bank Mr. Baldwin worked for, as they wait for Robert Baldwin to arrive. Bank was shut down as a result of the current financial crisis, and John Gresham was found guilty and imprisoned for it. Their conversation makes it clear that John Baldwin will be testifying against John Gresham at his trial the next day. But that day, John Gresham calls. They want to know immediately why he calls Baldwin. Evie questions whether Baldwin was involved in "wrecking of the bank" given that it is mentioned in every publication and Baldwin makes no protests. Martha claims that the publication treats him unfairly. The family is unsure whether Baldwin was engaged in the bank catastrophe because he is working on Gresham's directions. Martha claims that her husband is a very committed employee. He complied with John Gresham's requests without objecting. Robert Baldwin finally enters the home. Everyone is curious as to how the bank meltdown occurred. Only one day prior to the crash, he claims that even he is aware of what John Gresham is doing. He put pressure on John Gresham to close the bank. He even explains the reason John Gresham requested their meeting. When Robert Baldwin is asked about the bank crash in court, John Gresham wants him to say, "I don't remember." If Robert Baldwin follows through, he will receive $100,000. But Robert Baldwin is a trustworthy individual. He rejects his offer as a result. However, the entire family's perspective starts to shift after they learn about the money. They start persuading John Gresham. If the depositors would experience any losses, Martha wants to know. In response, Robert Baldwin claims that everyone will gain. The family learns that the money is secure in this way. The theft of the money was John Gresham's offence. Robert Baldwin starts to be persuaded by the family to tell lies and support John Gresham. Robert Baldwin is initially shocked. It will be a disgrace to their son, Martha warns him, because they named their kid John Gresham. John Gresham also paid for John to get baptised. She coerces Robert Baldwin into aiding John Gresham with these statements. Evie predicts that the depositors will despise Robert Baldwin for putting John Gresham in jail if he promises to pay everything back the next day. No one wants to see him punished, John says in favour of her. Additionally, he believes that John Gresham will launch a company with Robert as a partner if he avoids going to jail. Robert Balwin becomes irate when he hears this. In an effort to persuade Robert Balwin, Martha claims that John is now the family's sole provider of income. However, his income is insufficient to support the family. If Robert accepts John Gresham's offer of $100,000, the family can live comfortably. Robert Baldwin doesn't anticipate his family changing at all. After learning how much John Gresham will have to pay Robert Baldwin if he says, "I don't recall," in court, Robert Baldwin never expects his family's behaviour to alter. It depresses him. They are labelled as "Shams," "Liars," "Hypocrites," and "Thieves" by him. But the family manages to convince him to take the cash. Mr. Marshall, the Third National's President, enters the house at this point. By letting Robert Baldwin and his family know that a good position is waiting for him in the Third National, he brings them some glad news. John Gresham informs him that Robert Baldwin refused to testify truthfully in court, which led John Gresham to confess. "I can only say to you what every guy will be saying tomorrow: how much I honour and respect your spouse!" he exclaims to Robert Baldwin's family as the performance comes to a close.

Plus Two English The Hour Of The Truth Character Sketch:

(i) robert baldwin, (ii) john gresham, (iii) martha, (iv) john, related questions, plus two english notes, chapter 3: the hour of truth (one-act play) notes - preview, chapter 3: the hour of truth (one-act play) notes - download, plus two english notes pdf download, unit 1 flights of freedom.

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12th English Guide Unit 3 Supplementary The Hour of Truth (Play)

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12th English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 The Hour of Truth (Play)

12th Standard English Lesson 3 Supplementary The Hour of Truth (Play) Book Back Question and Answers. 12th English Lesson 3 Questions and Answers, Summary, Activity, Notes, Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Guide Pdf. 12th English All Lesson Book Back Answers .

12th Tamil Book Back Question & Answers
12th All Subject Guide

12th English Guide Lesson 1 Two Gentlemen of Verona

wrecking – ruining, destroying (here, bankruptcy)
indict – accuse or charge someone for a crime and put on trial
testify – give evidence as a witness in court
governor – the way John addresses his father
go on the stand – testify during a trial in the court of law
smash-up – complete collapse (insolvency)
indignantly – angrily
perjure – swear falsely
haggle – argue, disagree
reckoned – calculated
misappropriate – to take other’s money dishonestly for one’s own use
nonplussed – confused, puzzled
baptized – named, christened
of his own accord – voluntarily, without compulsion
technicality – a minor detail
shams – people who cheat others
hypocrites – people who put on a false appearance, pretenders
apprehension – fear
buoyantly – cheerfully
piteously – sympathetically

(a) We judge people around us, based on their qualities and actions. We brand some people as good and some bad. What qualities, do you think, characterise a gentleman? Some of them may be merely external and some others internal

(b) When we see a few coins scattered on the ground, we would probably pick them up on the sly or walk away ignoring them. What if it was an envelope full of 2000 bills? How are people likely to react in such a situation?

Discuss with a partner and share your views:.

People may react differently. Reader’s digest conducted a honesty test in the busy roads of major cities of India. They had obviously left a costly mobile on the middle of a pavement. A candid camera was taking a video footage. Many tried to pocket it. One poor man tried to contact a policeman on the beat and hand it over to him. Recently in Saravana Bhavan hotel in Chennai an old lady had left behind a yellow bag. There was 25 lakhs in the bag. The old lady had come to buy jewels for her grand daughter’s wedding. One of the waiters who attended the lady and her family members passed on the bag to the manager, who in turn gave it in person to Inspector, Mambalam Police station. Fortunately a tear filled lady and worried family members also reached the spot. The Inspector sent for the honest waiter and through him gave the money to the old lady.
Whether it is big money or small coins, one should not covet others’ wealth. The person who lost must be feeling the pain of loss. We should never think of enjoying life at the cost of the pain of others.

12th English The Hour of Truth (Play) Textual Questions

1. rearrange the following sentences in a meaningful sequence and write the summary of the play..

(a) Baldwin who returned home after meeting Gresham, informed his family that Gresham had offered a hundred thousand, if he would utter the words ‘I don’t remember’ in court, during the trial.

(b) The family members tried to justify Gresham’s act and enticed Baldwin into accepting the money.

(d) Baldwin was an honest and upright man, working under John Gresham, in a bank.

(e) To save Baldwin, Mr. Marshall, President of the Third National, visited him and informed him that Gresham had confessed his crime, in order to free him from betraying his trusted friend and testifying painfully against him.

(f) Gresham and Baldwin had been thick friends for over 30 years and Baldwin had even named his son after Gresham.

(g) Baldwin felt disgusted with himself and the attitude of his family members.

(h) Gresham had been arrested for misappropriation of money at the bank and Baldwin was to testify against him.

(i) Mr. Marshall also offered Baldwin a job in his Bank, to reward him for his honesty and integrity.

(j) The family members who were initially against Gresham, changed their mind on hearing the huge sum offered by him.

2. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.

(a) why did baldwin meet gresham.

Baldwin met Gresham because he had asked to see him before the trial slotted the following day.

(b) What made Martha withdraw her money from the bank?

Martha had a doubt that the bank was crashing. So, she withdrew the money from the bank.

(c) How is Martha’s strong conviction in Baldwin’s integrity revealed?

During the family conversation, Martha defends Mr. Baldwin’s integrity like a tigress. She told her son John Gresham Baldwin and Evie that their father was upright and had no hand in the wrecking of the bank.

(d) What had Donovan told John?

Donovan had said that nobody had any idea as to what was ailing the bank. The wreck of the bank was too sudden. He had married on the strength of the cashier’s job in the bank. He said crash would not have happened without the knowledge of the Governor Baldwin.

(e) John feels Gresham deserves punishment. Why?

John had a feeling that his dad was paid only 60 dollars per week for the past 20 years. Gresham had become very rich during the same period. He deserved punishment for underpaying his staff.

(f) What was Baldwin’s advice to Gresham?

Baldwin advised Gresham to close the bank and make up the losses.

(g) What did Gresham want Baldwin to do?

Gresham wanted Baldwin to say three words “I don’t remember’ in the court when the lawyer (or) judge asked him the technical details and dates. If he did so, Gresham will not be indicted. In turn, Baldwin will get one hundred thousand dollars.

(h) Explain the significance of the words ‘I don’t remember’.

‘I don’t remember’ were the three words which Gresham wanted Baldwin to say when technical questions on misappropriation of funds are asked in the court. Gresham offered one hundred thousand dollars in hot cash to say them. But Baldwin did not want to do that dishonest and dishonourable thing.

(i) Why does John turn wild on hearing that Gresham had offered his father money?

John goes wild trying to convince Mr. Baldwin that it was not wrong to take the offered money. He justified it as a help to a friend who had the name his son shared. When a person with his own name is jailed, he feels that his reputation may also be spoiled.

(j) When would Baldwin part company with Gresham?

Baldwin has always been loyal to Gresham. But when John Gresham ceases to be an honest man, John Gresham and Baldwin would part company.

(k) What does John consider ‘a technicality’?

John says what Gresham had done would not amount to any crime because not a depositor would lose a cent. It is just a technicality that he used for increasing his gains.

(l) Why was John filled with shame?

John was filled with shame because as he is named after Baldwin’s best friend Gresham, he will be put to shame for bearing the name of a criminal. This emotional blackmail is made to ask Baldwin to let Gresham off the hook.

(m) How much did Gresham offer to pay Baldwin for saving his skin and how did he justify that?

Gresham offered Baldwin one hundred thousand dollars. He justified the money as a difference of salary he had received and he ought to have received.

(n) What was Mr. Marshall’s offer to Baldwin?

Mr. Marshall offered Baldwin a job in the third National Bank.

(o) How was Baldwin’s honesty rewarded?

In the following morning the whole world know the integrity of Baldwin as Gresham had confessed.

3. Based on your understanding of the play, complete the Graphic Organiser given below.

12th English Guide Unit 3 Supplementary The Hour of Truth (Play)

4. Answer in a paragraph of about 150 words each.

(a) trace the bond of friendship between baldwin and gresham. explain why baldwin wished to attribute some credit to his friend..

Baldwin and Gresham were boyhood chums. They went to school together. Their friendship flowered into a lifetime bondage as it was sustained for thirty five years. When Baldwin’s son was being baptised in the church, Gresham was present. Baldwin expressed his wish that his son John Gresham Baldwin grew up to Gresham’s standard in life. Baldwin was paid only 60 dollars a week for working as a Governor of the private bank founded by Gresham. Accidentally, Baldwin found out how Gresham was siphoning money very cleverly from the deposits technically without really causing any loss to the depositors. But Baldwin was loyal to Gresham only as long as he was honest. Once he parted ways with honesty, Baldwin would also part ways with Gresham. By the force of his upright character, Baldwin advised him to close the bank and return the deposit to the customers.
Third National Bank was ready to help the reorganization of the bank. Meanwhile, Gresham was arrested. The court could not nail Gresham as there was not a shred of evidence to prove his guilt. If Baldwin testified, the court would indict him. Just before being arrested Gresham offered him one hundred thousand dollars to just say “I don’t remember”. The three words to let him off the hook. He claimed it was the difference between the salary he had been paid and what he ought to have received. Had it been someone else, Baldwin would have slapped him. But it was Gresham who understood his body language and did not press the matter further. He was proud of the fact that Gresham understood how he could not compromise with his conscience. His family members Martha, Evie and John felt that it was a compliment that cost him one hundred thousand dollars. Baldwin said that Gresham’s compliment about his uprightness was worth a hundred thousand dollars.

(b) How did Martha and John react when they came to know that Baldwin had rejected the generous offer made by Gresham?

Martha and John cherished a grudge against Gresham for having underpaid Baldwin for about two decades. They openly said that he deserved punishment. Initially Gresham condemned the bribe claimed as a difference in salary paid. Had he been made a similar offer he claimed he would have asked him to go to the devil. Baldwin said that having been a friend he couldn’t use such an abusive language. Casually John asked how much he offered. Baldwin said that it was one hundred thousand dollars. Suddenly Martha and John changed their attitude towards Gresham. John viewed a shame if Gresham got indicted because he shared his name. Martha also desperately tried to convince him not to testify against Gresham. John even suggested that he could say those three words “I don’t remember” as the depositor would not lose a cent. Baldwin felt miserable because the family members who he wanted to feel proud of his uprightness wanted him to crossover to the side of corrupt practices because of the generous offer made by Gresham.

(c) Is Baldwin really honest or does he maintain his honesty fearing criticism? Why do you say so?

Baldwin lived the life of an upright and honest man. Though he was paid just 60 dollars a week in the private bank of Gresham, he never complained. The small increments he had been given were not because he had asked but because Gresham had given them. He was frugal and he was worshipped as a hero by his family members (i.e.) wife Martha, son John Gresham Baldwin and daughter Evie.
Baldwin deeply believed that he had been a role model to his children that is more valuable than money. He admitted to his son that he was disturbed that he would lose the respect of his own family members if he stooped even once in his life even if the bait is one hundred thousand dollars. No doubt he was upright. The three words “I don’t remember” would choke him. Only during the momentary explosion of frustration, it appears that he feared criticism. But his natural reflex on the offer was denial. His agony on the contradictory expectation of worldly-wise family members is obvious. He did not even have to articulate his feelings to Gresham who intuitively understood that his uprightness can’t be purchased with even one hundred thousand dollars.

(d) Sketch the character of:

(i) robert baldwin, (ii) john gresham., (i) robert baldwin:.

Robert Baldwin is the central character around whom the whole one-act play revolves. He is a middle class father who values honesty and loyalty to the organization more than 35 year long friendship. He rises in the esteem of the readers and theatre goers on realising that he wants to leave a legacy of honesty to his children and not the ill-gotten hundred thousand dollars which could give his family a life of comfort they did want to lead. Baldwin is really hurt by the three sided attack (i.e.) a war of words waged against his honesty by Martha, Evie and John. Even before the trial begins against Gresham, Baldwin is made to feel like a traitor.
His family members accuse him of letting down the honour of a close family friend who had made a very generous offer. The mental agony experienced by Baldwin is hundred times more at home. He is elated initially as he had successfully forced Gresham with a whip in hand (i.e.) honesty to ‘ close the bank and make up the loss to the customers. But when he discloses the offer of one hundred thousand dollars, as a private fortune without causing loss of a cent to depositors, he is made to experience hell by the emotional blackmail of his family members who knew very well how those three words “I don’t remember” would choke him. Baldwin holds on to honesty even at the prospect of losing both 35 year-old friendship and one hundred thousand dollars he had never had in his life.

(ii) John Gresham:

John Gresham is a worldly-wise founder of a private bank. He values friendship and appoints his boyhood chum Robert Baldwin as the Governor in his bank. He is clever and is very , successful in running his bank profitably. In the meantime, he uses the deposits accrued in a 1 way that enhances his own private fortune of course without costing anything to the depositors, It is in fact a breach of trust. Nobody has had an inkling that any malpractice is going on. Even Donovan the cashier claims that the closure of the bank came as a rude shock to him as he had married on the strength of the job and salary from the bank.
Martha claims she withdrew her money without telling Baldwin who is very loyal to Gresham. He would never have approved of it. After being found out and when the trial against him on misappropriation of funds is in “progress he offers a bait of one hundred thousand dollars from his private fortune. He knows’ that only Baldwin alone could help the law to nail him. But if he says, “I don’t remember” again using the good will regained in the law suit. But he understands the body language of , Baldwin. He realizes it would be a painful thing for Baldwin to testify against him. He might be bad as a banker, but he values the feelings of Baldwin and his honesty. He confesses to avid embarrassment to Baldwin and informs ‘Third National’ chairman that Baldwin has not for technical questions, he would be let off the hook. If acquitted, he could make money budged even after the offer of one hundred thousand dollars.

(e) Who do you think exhibits true friendship-Baldwin or Gresham? Justify your answer.

This is a typical question for which much can be said on both the sides. Both Baldwin and Gresham exhibit true friendship from their respective sides. Baldwin is rich in great virtues like loyalty, honesty, frugality and valuing human relationships. He is loyal to Gresham with thirty five year old friendship. But the moment Gresham parts ways with honesty, Baldwin would part ways with him. The greatest compliment ever paid to Baldwin is not from Martha, Evie or John but Gresham. Gresham meets Marshall and confesses that Baldwin is an honest man whose honesty cannot be purchased even with one hundred thousand dollars.
He is poor earning just 60 dollars a week, now even that is gone as the bank is closed. He is richer than Gresham in terms of uprightness and honesty. Baldwin, being a friend, shows Gresham the right path even when he realizes that his friendship would be at stake. Thiruvalluvar says, “Friendship is not meant for just laughing and having fun but to criticize a friend when he is wrong.” Likewise, it is Baldwin who compels Gresham to close the bank and ensure the of deposits through honest means. He doesn’t want to support friendship when a friend parts ways with honesty. He doesn’t openly articulate his unwillingness to accept the bait but his uncomfortable silence says it all. Thus both exhibit true friendship towards one another.

Additional Questions

(a) explain the significance of the words ‘i don’t remember’..

‘I don’t remember’ were the three words which Gresham wanted Baldwin to say when technical questions on misappropriation of funds are asked in the court. Gresham offered one hundred thousand dollars in hot cash to say them. But Baldwin did not want to do that dishonest and dishonourable thing. But having been honest earning just 60 dollars a week Baldwin felt like choking. His children and wife persuaded him. Gresham understood Baldwin would not say those words though Baldwin didn’t say it openly. John told Baldwin it was a compliment that cost him a hundred thousand dollars. But Baldwin felt it was a compliment worth hundred thousand dollars.

N ow match the idioms under column A with their meanings in column B:

Speaking Activity

(a) imagine you are baldwin and your partner is gresham. try your best to persuade your partner to confess the truth. build a conversation describing how both of you would react in such a situation. work in pairs..

Gresham: Baldwin, why do you look cross?

Baldwin: Ask your conscience.

Gresham: Well, my conscience is clear. What is wrong with you?

Baldwin: I found out that you are siphoning small negligible changes to your own account. Now it amounts to a few hundred thousand dollars as none of the depositors have noticed the disappearance of small changes.

Gresham: Well, none of the depositors would lose a cent. I have transferred it in some investment. I have got ten fold gains. Now we shall quietly transfer the amount in their own accounts. No one will ever come to know of it.

Baldwin: Is it not a breach of trust? I’m not going to keep quiet about this.

Gresham: What do you want to do?

Baldwin: Close the bank and make good the loss to all the depositors. (After a few days)

Gresham: Well, Baldwin I have closed the bank. Third National is going to do the reorganisation. Now I want you to say three words.

Baldwin: What?

Gresham: “I don’t remember” When you are cross examined on vital statistics for which you would require references.

Baldwin: How does that absolve you of your crime.

Gresham: Don’t you know the fact that I’ve earned enough money and no depositor will lose a cent. It is just a technicality.

Baldwin: What do you mean?

Gresham: Well, I will give you one hundred thousand dollars for letting me off the hook. I just want you to say “I don’t remember”.

Baldwin: Already you have used the funds of depositors. You want them to become paupers?

Gresham: Baldwin, you frustrate me. Look here. This is hot cash from my own private fortune. Baldwin, why don’t you say something?

Baldwin: You have known me for more than 35 years.

Gresham: You are silent. Say yes or no. I know you have been an upright man all through your life. The offer is final.

Baldwin: You have one option Gresham. We will meet in the court. You can confess. For God’s sake don’t force me to say anything now. I am disturbed.

Gresham: Why do you think it is a bribe or a bait. It is the difference in your salary, the salary you have received and what you should have got all these years.

Baldwin: As long as you are honest, I will be loyal to you Gresham. When you part with loyalty, we would part ways. The matter is closed.

(b) ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’. Does this hold good in all situations? Share your views with your class.

The saying, “A friend in need is a friend indeed” is relevant to only those situations when both the friends pursue the goals with justifiable means. I read an interesting story written by O. Henry entitle “After twenty years”. Two boyhood chums, Bob and Jimmy, decide to pursue their dream careers and decide to meet at Big Joe Brady’s Restaurant. Jimmy becomes a policeman and Bob a criminal and notorious robber. Jimmy recognizes the features of the most wanted criminal by Chicago police in Bob. The friend’s need is to help him escape but duty consciousness gives him painful choice of sending a plain clothes man to arrest him. So, the saying “A friend in need is a friend indeed” is not applicable at all occasions. When there is a debate with the conscience on moral grounds and professional ethics, one can’t continue to be a friend “in need”.

The Hour of Truth (Play) About The Author

Percival Wilde (1887 – 1953) was a prolific American author and playwright. He wrote many novels, short stories and one-act plays. His plays were popular in the little theatre movement. He also authored a textbook on the theatre arts. He was native to New York City, worked for a time as a banker. He began writing plays in 1912.
Percival Wilde chose to portray the values of life in his plays, throwing light on a specific trait of an individual. His one-act play The Hour of Truth is a testimony to his craftsmanship where the three classical unities of time, place and action are observed.
The climax of the play develops rapidly and ends with a pleasant surprise

The Hour of Truth (Play) Summary in English

Introduction

In ‘The hour of truth’, the integrity of Baldwin is the dominant trait around which the whole play is spun. This one- act play evidences his craftsmanship where the classical unites time, place and action were observed meticulously. The climax has an O. Henry twist and thus a surprising end.
Baldwin is a middle class man earning 60 pounds a week. He is working in a private bank for Mr. Gresham. They are close friends for over thirty years. Baldwin Christens his son as Gresham Baldwin. He leads a contented life. He finds out that his boss has been misappropriating money very cleverly. Technically speaking the depositors will i not lose a scent. But Baldwin coerced Mr. Gresham to close the bank and | settle the account of the depositors. Mr. Gresham promised to return the depositors money. He offered Baldwin one hundred thousand dollars if he chose to tell the enquiry officers that he had forgotten some important details. This would help Gresham get out of the problem safely. Baldwin was shocked by the offer.
He went home and told Martha, his wife and Gresham Baldwin about the offer. On hearing the handsome offer, both the wife and son persuade him to take the money as it was just a technicality and the depositors would not lose money. Actually, Baldwin had a faith that his family regarded his integrity far higher than material gains. When he learnt his son and family members were trying to convince him to take the money, he felt disgusted. Just then, Mr. Marshal, President of third National Bank, informed Baldwin that his boss Mr. Gresham has confessed to his crime. He had told him that one hundred thousand dollars couldn’t shake Baldwin’s integrity. Though he had told him that it was a difference of salary he had paid and what he ought to have paid. He said Gresham did not want him to undergo the pain of testifying against him in the court. Hearing this, Baldwin cried. His heart felt light. Mr. marshal offered him a position in his bank. This has been the honour conferred on his honesty.
The dramatist reflects the foibles of modem society. People value riches more than honesty and integrity. He rewards honesty at the end reaffirming the common faith “Honesty is always rewarded.”

The Hour of Truth (Play) Summary in Tamil

“உண்மை , தெரிந்த நேரம்” என்னும் கதையில் பால்ட்வின் நேர்மையான நடத்தையையும் அதன் பின்னணியில் முழுக்கதையும் சுழல்கிறது. இந்த ஓரங்க நாடகம் ஆசிரியர் இடம், காலம், செயல் இவற்றுக்கிடையே உள்ள பாரம்பரிய ஒற்றுமையைத் துல்லியமாகக் காட்டுகிறது. நாடகத்தில் உச்சக் கட்டத்தில் ஓ.ஹென்றிக்கே உரிய திருப்பத்தால் நாடகம் வியப்பூட்டும் வண்ணம் முடிகிறது. பால்ட்வின் வாரம் 60 டாலர் மட்டுமே சம்பாதிக்கிற நடுத்தர வகுப்பைச் சார்ந்தவர். அவர் திரு.கிரெசாம் நடத்துகிற தனியார் வங்கியில் பணி புரிந்தார். அவர்கள் 30 வருடங்களாக நண்பர்கள். பால்ட்வின் தன் மகனுக்கு கிரெசாம் பால்ட்வின் எனப் பெயர் சூட்டினார். அவர் மனம்
நிறைந்த வாழ்க்கை வாழ்ந்து வந்தார். அவர் தன் முதலாளி மிகத் தந்திரமாகப் பணத்தைக் கையாளுகிறார் என்பதைக் கண்டுபிடித்தார். நுட்பமாகப் பார்த்தால் பணம் செலுத்துபவருக்கு ஒரு பைசா நஷ்டமும் ஏற்படாது. ஆனால், பால்ட்வின் வங்கியை மூடிவிட்டு பணத்தைச் செலுத்திய வாடிக்கையாளர்களுக்கு திரும்பிக் கொடுத்து விடுமாறு கிரெசாமை நிர்பந்தப்படுத்தினார். கிரெசாம் வாடிக்கையாளரின் பணத்தை திருப்பிக் கொடுத்து விடுவதாக வாக்குறுதி அளித்தார். பால்ட்வின் விசாரணை அலுவலர்களிடம் தான் சில முக்கிய தகவல்களை மறந்து விட்டதாகக் கூறும்படியும், அதற்கான சன்மானமாக ஒரு லட்சம் டாலர் தருவதாகவும் கிரெசாம் கூறினார். இது கிரெசாம் பிரச்சனையிலிருந்து தப்பிக்க உதவும். பால்ட்வின் இத்தகைய லஞ்ச அறிவிப்பைக் கேட்டு அதிர்ந்து போனார்.
வீட்டுக்குச் சென்று தன் மனைவி மார்த்தாவிடமும், மகன் கிரெசாம் பால்ட்வினிடமும் ஒப்பந்தத்தைக் குறித்துச் சொன்னார். இதைக் கேட்ட இருவரும் ஒப்பந்தப் பணத்தைப் பெற்றுக் கொள்ளுமாறு தூண்டினர். மேலும், இதனால் நுட்பமாகப் பார்த்தால் வாடிக்கையாளர் எதையும் இழக்கப் போவதில்லை என்றனர். உண்மையாகப் பார்த்தால் தன் குடும்பத்தினர் தன் நாணயத்தின் மீது, பணத்தைவிட அதிக மதிப்பு வைத்திருந்தனர் என்பதில் நம்பிக்கை கொண்டிருந்தார். அவர்கள் பணத்தைப் பெற்றுக் கொள்ளுமாறு தன்னை சம்மதிக்க வைப்பதை எண்ணி வெறுப்படைந்தார். அப்போது தான் மூன்றாவது தேசிய வங்கியின் தலைவரான மார்சல் அவர்கள், கிரெசாம் தன் தவற்றை ஒப்புக்கொண்டதாக பால்ட்வினுக்குத் தெரிவித்தார். அவர் கிரெசாம் கொடுப்பதாகச் சொன்ன 1 லட்சம் டாலர் பால்ட்வினின் நேர்மையைத் தகர்க்கவில்லை எனத் தெரிவித்தார். அதை அவரின் சம்பளத்தில் தான் தந்திருக்க வேண்டிய தொகையின் வித்தியாசமே எனக் கிரெசாம் கூறியும் அதை மறுத்து விட்டார். பால்ட்வின் நீதிமன்றத்தில் தனக்கு எதிராக சாட்சி அளிப்பதில் | தனக்கு விருப்பமில்லை என்பதைக் கிரெசாம் தெரிவித்ததாக மார்சல் கூறினார். இதைக் கேட்ட பால்ட்வின் கண் கலங்கலானார். அவர் மன உலைச்சல் | தளர்ந்தது. மார்சல் தன் வங்கியிலேயே பால்ட்வினுக்கு | வேலை வாய்ப்பு ஏற்படுத்தினார். இதுதான், அவர் நாணயத்திற்கு கிடைத்த சன்மானம்.
‘நாகரீக சமுதாயத்தின் குறைகளை ஆசிரியர் பிரதிபலித்துக் காட்டுகிறார். மனிதன் நேர்மை, நாணயத்தைக் காட்டிலும் பணத்தையே மதிக்கிறான். கதையின் முடிவில் கதாபாத்திரத்திற்கு கிடைக்கும் சன்மானம், ‘நாணயம் சன்மானத்திற்கு உரியது) என்பதை மீண்டும் உறுதிபடுத்துகிறது.

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Compare and contrast the friendships as presented in the story 'Amigo Brothers' and the play 'The Hour of Truth'. (Hints : value friendship more - value principles more.) Score: 6 March 2020 ----- The dialogues of John, son of Robert Baldwin, at the beginning and in the middle of the play are given below: Beginning / Middle 1 He wanted you to lie to save his skin. / It’s going to be a nasty mess if they put John Gresham in jail. 2 I’d have told him to go to the devil. / Nobody loses a cent. Nobody wants to see him punished. 3 Wasn’t satisfied with underpaying his employees; had to rob his depositors! / A hundred thousand is a lot of money. Now, attempt a character sketch of John Robert Baldwin in about 100 words Score: 6 March 2018

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Read our detailed notes on the Francis Bacon’s famous essay, “Of Truth”. Our notes cover Of Truth summary and analysis.

Of Truth by Francis Bacon Summary & Analysis

In this essay, Bacon has presented the objective truth in various manifestations.Similarly, Bacon shares with us the subjective truth, operative in social life. “OF TRUTH” is Bacon’s masterpiece that shows his keen observation of human beings with special regard to truth. In the beginning of the essay, Bacon rightly observes that generally people do not care for truth as Pilate, the governor of the Roman Empire, while conducting the trial of Jesus Christ, cares little for truth:

“What is truth? Said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer.”

Advancing his essay, Bacon explores the reasons why the people do not like truth. First, truth is acquired through hard work and man is ever reluctant to work hard. Secondly, truth curtails man’s freedom. More than that the real reason of man’s disliking to truth is that man is attached to lies which Bacon says “a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself.” Man loves falsehood because, Bacon says that truth is as if the bright light of the day and would show what men, in actual, are. They look attractive and colourful in the dim light of lies.He futher adds,

“A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure.”

It is a fact that man prefers to cherish illusions, which make his life more interesting. With a profound observation of man’s psychology, Bacon states that if deprived of false pride and vanities, the human mind would contract like a deflated balloon and these human beings would become poor, sad and ill. However, poetic untruth is not gone unnoticed by Bacon’s piercing intellect. He says though poetic untruth is a wine of the Devil in priest’s eyes, yet it is not as harmful as the other lies are. Bacon being a literary artist illustrates this concept with an apt imagery that the poetic untruth is but the shadow of a lie. The enquiry of truth, knowledge of truth and belief of truth are compared with the enjoyment of love. Such a comparison lends the literary charm to this essay.Bacon further says in that the last act of creation was to create rational faculty, which helps in finding truth, is the finished product of God’s blessing as he says:

“… The last was the light of reason…is the illumination of his spirit.”

Bacon’s moral idealism is obvious when he advancing his argument in favour of truth asserts that the earth can be made paradise only with the help of truth. Man should ever stick to truth in every matter, do the act of charity and have faith in every matter, do the act of charity and have faith in God. Bacon’s strong belief in truth and Divinity is stated thus:

“Certainly, it is heaven upon earth, to have a man’s mind move in charity, rest in Providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.”

From the objective truth, Bacon passes judgment, to the subjective truth, which he calls “the truth of civil business”. It is the compelling quality of truth, Bacon observes, that the persons who do not practice truth, acknowledge it. Bacon’s idealistic moral attitude is obvious in these lines when he says: “….. that clear and round dealing is the honour of man’s nature; and that mixture of falsehood is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the metal work better, but it embaseth it.”

Bacon further asserts that the liars are like a snake that goes basely upon the belly and not upon the feet. Imagery comprising comparison is apt and convincing. Moreover, Bacon refers to Montaigne who is of the view that “a lie faces God and shrinks from man”. Bacon adds that falsehood is the height of wickedness and as such will invite the Judgment of God upon all human beings on Doom’s day. Therefore, Bacon concludes his essay with didacticism with a tinge of Christian morality.

In the essay, “OF TRUTH”, there is no digression. All the arguments in the essay pertain to the single main idea, truth. Bacon’s wide learning is clearly observed when he refers to Pilate (history), Lucian (Greek literature), Creation, Montaigne (a French essayist). “OF TRUTH” is enriched with striking similes and analogies, such as he equates liars as a snake moving basely on its belly, mixture of falsehood is like an alloy of gold and silver.Similarly, truth is ‘open day light’ whereas lie is ‘candle light i.e fake dim light. Truth is ‘a pearl’ i.e worthy and precious whereas ,lie is ‘a diamond’ that reflects light illusions when placed in daylight.

The essay “OF TRUTH” is not ornamental as was the practice of the Elizabethan prose writers. Bacon is simple, natural and straightforward in his essay though Elizabethan colour is also found in “OF TRUTH” because there is a moderate use of Latinism in the essay. Economy of words is found in the essay not alone, but syntactic brevity is also obvious in this essay. We find conversational ease in this essay, which is the outstanding feature of Bacon’s style. There is a peculiar feature of Bacon i.e. aphorism. We find many short, crispy, memorable and witty sayings in this essay.

Therefore, Bacon’s essay “OF TRUTH” is rich in matter and manner. This is really a council ‘civil and moral’.

Of Truth – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation

by Francis Bacon

Complete explanation of the essay alongside the original text

WHAT is truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer.

Explanation

Here Francis Bacon refers to Pontius Pilate, who occupied a position of influence in Emperor Tiberius’s court. For his involvement in the persecution of Jesus Christ, Pilate was not looked upon favourably by Christians. He enjoyed a somewhat sullied reputation. Here Bacon takes Pilate’s name to express how humans, in general, avoid Truth. They find Truth inconvenient and difficult to imbibe.

Certainly there be that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to fix a belief; affecting free-will in thinking, as well as in acting.

People do not seek Truth, and enjoy resorting to falsehood and lies. People like ambiguity , and inaccuracy, so that they can couch the harshness of Truth in convenient language.

And though the sects of philosophers, of that kind be gone, yet there remain certain discoursing wits which are of the same veins, though there be not so much blood in them as was in those of the ancients.

Bacon goes back to the ancient Greek philosophers, who often lost their way while looking to ascertain what really ‘truth’ was. He laments the fact that some of these independent-minded, free-thinking philosophers proposed that there was nothing real as ‘truth’. But, while trying to prove the contrary, they soon wavered, and came out with conflicting decisions. These types of thinkers have all but ceased to exist. The present day ones lack the rigor and verve of the ancient great minds. They are paler versions of their illustrious predecessors. Nevertheless, they, too, doubt the existence of truth, and tend to drift towards falsehood.

But it is not only the difficulty and labor which men take in finding out of truth, nor again that when it is found it imposeth upon men’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor; but a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself.

Undoubtedly, people do make very sincere and strenuous attempts to discover ‘truth’. They succeed, but regrettably, they find the burden and demands of ‘truth’ to be unbearable. Expediently, they abandon the pursuit of ‘truth’, and drift towards ‘lies’ knowingly very well that resorting to ‘lies’ is degrading. The world of ‘lies’ is dark, but people, somehow’ develop a fascination for lies at the expense of truth.

One of the later school of the Grecians examineth the matter and is at a stand to think what should be in it, that men should love lies, where neither they make for pleasure, as with poets, nor for advantage, as with the merchant; but for the lie’s sake.

Some Greek philosophers of later periods delved in to this matter. They tried to know why and what attracts people towards ‘lies’. In poetry, some distortion of truth adds to a poem’s literary beauty. So allowance needs to be made to accommodate fantasy and fiction as they enhance the readers’ literary pleasure. Merchants and traders resort to a certain amount of falsehood to entice the customers to buy their merchandize. But, why do common folks resort to lies despite knowing its unsavoury consequences.

But I cannot tell; this same truth is a naked and open day-light, that doth not show the masks and mummeries and triumphs of the world, half so stately and daintily as candle-lights.

‘Truth’ depicts everything very honestly, faithfully and transparently. There is no place for extravagant praise or derision, superficial description or sycophantic eulogy in ‘truth’. Emperors, heroes, military commanders and other men and women of prominence are described with the minimum laudatory language. Truth builds no artificial aura of greatness around them. So, bereft of their unrealistic praise, they appear vastly diminished in stature.

Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl, that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights.

A pearl shines in the day. A diamond or a carbuncle glow at night giving an unreal feeling of light in the midst of total darkness. ‘Truth’ is like a pearl. It shows what is visible to the naked eye. It can’t show anything by lighting up something unrealistically. Only ‘falsehood’ has that capacity to make something apparent in total darkness.

A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt, that if there were taken out of men’s minds vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds of a number of men poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves?

A cocktail of lies and truth has the potency to please humans more than only lies or only truth. Bacon, paradoxically, suggests the utility of such combination of lies and truth. If everything is portrayed in their true colours with no addition of superficial praise, flaterring comments and allusions, the society will appear drab and indolent. Vanity and aggrandizement induce creativity, energy and intellectual activity. For example, if a poet is not felicitated or a player is not rewarded, how will they be motivated to reach higher levels of accomplishments? While showering praise, use of a certain amount of unreal description of one’s feat is needed. Otherwise, the praise will be bland and ineffective.

One of the fathers, in great severity, called poesy vinum dæmonum [devils’-wine], because it filleth the imagination; and yet it is but with the shadow of a lie. But it is not the lie that passeth through the mind, but the lie that sinketh in and settleth in it, that doth the hurt; such as we spake of before.

Some very revered men of great wisdom denigrated poetry saying it contained lies. They felt, the poet adds fiction, exaggerations, allusions etc. to his poem to impart it some charm and attraction for the reader. Bacon says, most of these lies actually may not stay permanently in the mind of the reader. However, a part of such falsehood does get embedded in the reader’s mind impairing the sense of the readers. This could indeed be a sad consequence of reading poetry.

But howsoever these things are thus in men’s depraved judgments and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself, teacheth that the inquiry of truth, which is the love-making or wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature.

So, lies, undoubtedly, deprave the mind. Truth, on the other hand, remains unblemished always. It is absolute and does not lend itself to differing interpretations. Inquiry of truth is a romantic pursuit that demands indulgence of the pursuer. Knowledge of truth means owning this unique gift. When one reposes absolute faith in truth, the feeling becomes very enjoyable . It symbolizes the ultimate good of human nature.

The first creature of God, in the works of the days, was the light of the sense; the last was the light of reason; and his sabbath work ever since is the illumination of his Spirit. First he breathed light upon the face of the matter or chaos; then he breathed light into the face of man; and still he breatheth and inspireth light into the face of his chosen.

When God created the world, He gave the light of sense to the mankind. Using this, human beings could see and feel the world around them. Then God gave the power of reason. Using this, human beings could reason what was good or bad in the things happening pr being said around them. As a result, human beings got the power of enlightenment. After this, God radiated light that illuminated the world which was so disorderly then. Then His light fell on human beings to make them superior in knowledge and wisdom to other species. After this, He focused his kindly light on the face of those human beings whom He loved most.

The poet that beautified the sect that was otherwise inferior to the rest, saith yet excellently well: It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore and to see ships tossed upon the sea; a pleasure to stand in the window of a castle and to see a battle and the adventures thereof below: but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth (a hill not to be commanded, and where the air is always clear and serene), and to see the errors and wanderings and mists and tempests in the vale below; so always that this prospect be with pity, and not with swelling or pride. Certainly, it is heaven upon earth, to have a man’s mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.

When one stands in the sea beach and gets to see ships being rocked violently by the winds, it becomes a breath-taking experience. In the same way, one can stand by the window of a high castle and watch the fight raging below. This also is a unique experience. In the same way, when a human being can realize truth, he can feel as if he stands atop a high mountain enjoying its beauty and bliss. But attaining such an exalted status must not make the man to feel proud. Instead, he should be humble, and benign towards others. He should engage in charity.

To pass from theological and philosophical truth to the truth of civil business; it will be acknowledged even by those that practise it not, that clear and round dealing is the honor of man’s nature; and that mixture of falsehood is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. For these winding and crooked courses are the goings of the serpent; which goeth basely upon the belly, and not upon the feet. There is no vice that doth so cover a man with shame as to be found false and perfidious. And therefore Montaigne saith prettily, when he inquired the reason why the word of the lie should be such a disgrace and such an odious charge.

Theosophical and philosophical truth belong to a certain domain. While dealing with our day-to-day mundane matters, one finds it difficult to stick to the truth always. To make his business and dealings smoother, he mixes some lies to his dealings. This, at times, appears to be a practical necessity. Although, he might succeed and emerge a winner, such conduct is vile and degrading. It is like an alloy where a foreign element is added in small quantities to a metal like gold and silver to give it more strength and toughness. However, such alloying robs the silver or gold of its luster. It is like a snake that moves on its belly always, and can never stand up erect and upright. This is why, eminent men like Montaigne declared that falsehood was universally degrading and loathsome.

Saith he, If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much to say, as that he is brave towards God and a coward towards men. For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man. Surely the wickedness of falsehood and breach of faith cannot possibly be so highly expressed, as in that it shall be the last peal to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men; it being foretold that when Christ cometh, he shall not find faith upon the earth.

When analyzed deeply, he said, it means that a person who lies is afraid of ordinary mortals and has the temerity to face God. He is a lowly soul bereft of any wisdom or intellectual heft. When the Day of the Judgment arrives, a person who has lied all his life, can not face God, and will be punished for his guilt. It has been said that gradual erosion of moral values in the world will slowly drag the earth to a state where ‘Faith’ ceases to exist.

Click here for explanations of more essays by Francis Bacon.

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Click on: http://www.englishcharity.com/la-belle-dame-sans-merci-a-ballad-by-john-keats/

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Click on: http://www.englishcharity.com/on-his-blindness-by-john-milton/

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Click on: http://www.englishcharity.com/the-fall-of-the-house-of-usher-by-edgar-allan-poe/

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Click on: http://www.englishcharity.com/a-happy-man-by-w-somerset-maugham/

Of Unity In Religion – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation
Of Envy – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation
Of Friendship – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation
Of Ambition – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation
Of Marriage and Single Life – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation
Of Anger – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation
Of Death – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation
Of Wisdom for a Man’s Self – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation
Of Travel – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation
Of Revenge – Francis Bacon – Complete Explanation

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Thank you for commenting! Do read the explanations for other Francis Bacon Essays on our blog. https://www.englishcharity.com/category/literature/francis-bacon-literature/

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Of Truth – Summary and Analysis

Published by sirafzal72 on january 20, 2022 january 20, 2022, of truth by francis bacon.

In this famous essay, Bacon demonstrates his profound observation of human beings with a particular emphasis on truth. Bacon asserts in this article that truth is the highest value for humans. He refers to the pursuit of truth as wooing it, knowledge of truth as being present with it, and belief in truth as enjoying it. He has conveyed objective truth in a variety of ways here. Bacon correctly observes at the outset of the essay that the general public is unconcerned with truth, just as Pilate, the Roman empire’s governor, was unconcerned with truth during the trial of Jesus Christ, ‘What is truth?’ Said a mocking Pilate, refusing to stay for an answer’. Bacon is referring to Pontius Pilate, who had a position of authority in the court of Emperor Tiberius. Pilate was not regarded favourably by Christians due to his role in the persecution of Jesus Christ. He earned a slightly tarnished reputation. Bacon uses Pilate’s name to illustrate how humans, on the whole, avoid truth. They consider truth to be inconvenient and difficult to swallow.

Bacon delves into the reasons why people dislike truth. To begin, truth is learned by effort, and man is perpetually averse to exerting effort. Second, truth stifles liberty. Additionally, the true explanation for man’s dislike of truth is his attachment to lies, which Bacon describes as a ”a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself.’ He asserts that man cherishes untruth since truth is like the bright light of the day, illuminating what mankind truly are. They appear lovely and vibrant in the dark light of deception. Bacon correctly remarks in this regard: ‘A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasures’. In this essay, Bacon discusses truth and lie. According to him, truth is the greatest human value. The truth is like clear daylight, in which the performances and spectacles on a theatre stage are seen for what they are, whereas falsehoods are like candlelight, in which the same performances and spectacles appear to be considerably more enticing. When a falsehood is added to the truth, the truth becomes more pleasurable. Man would be dissatisfied if he were deprived of his false beliefs, false hopes, and false judgments, because these false opinions, hopes, and judgments kept him happy. Falsehood provides an odd sort of enjoyment for people. According to him, it is the reality that man wants to treasure illusions that provide spice to his existence. Bacon asserts that without false pride and vanities, the human mind would contact like a deflated balloon, and these human beings would become destitute, miserable, and unwell. Bacon, on the other hand, is not blind to the poetic untruth. He asserts that early church writers referred to poetry as the devil’s wine. However, poetry tells lies that the mind accepts and then forgets. Such fabrications do not take root in the mind. The extent to which lies cause harm sinks into the mind and settles there. Truth, on the other hand, is the highest good for human beings. According to the poet Lucretius, the greatest pleasure that man can experience is realisation of truth. All human understanding should be founded on truth. Not only in theological and philosophical realms, but also in everyday life, truth is critical. Falsehood results in nothing except embarrassment. It degrades and diminishes humans. Montaigne correctly stated that when a man tells a lie, he is courageous against God but cowardly toward his fellow men. Falsehood is terrible, and it will be punished appropriately on the apocalypse, when a trumpet will sound to declare God’s judgments on all human beings.

The essay has a didactic tone. The writer’s objective is to establish a love of truth in the brains and hearts of his readers. Bacon, a moralist with moral idealism, says that the planet can only be transformed into paradise via the use of truth. Man should always adhere to the truth in all circumstances, perform acts of kindness, and have trust in all circumstances, including confidence in God. His firm trust in truth and divinity is expressed as follows: ‘Certainly, it is heaven on earth to have a man’s mentality more inclined toward charity, resting in Providence, and turning toward the poles of truth’. The essay concludes with some didactism infused with Christian morality. Bacon makes reference to the Bible in order to express his thoughts. He closes the essay with a Bible verse and an allusion to the ultimate judgement in which God will assess all human beings’ acts.

The article is peppered with rich similes and metaphors that serve to highlight the points being made. Bacon equates truth to naked and open day-light, which does not reveal the world’s masques, mummeries, and victories in the same way as candlelight does. He reiterates that truth may claim the price of a pearl that shines best in daylight, but truth cannot claim the price of a diamond or carbuncle that shines brightest in a variety of lighting conditions. He compares deception to an alloy in a gold or silver coin. While the alloy improves the performance of the metal, it detracts from its value. Similarly, while lie may be advantageous from a practical and financial standpoint, it diminishes the dignity of the man who says it. Again, Bacon equates dishonest and crooked methods of living to the serpent’s movements, ‘which goeth basely on the belly, and not on the feet’. Bacon’s essay is straightforward, natural, and uncomplicated. The essay’s distinguishing characteristics are its synthetic shortness, conversational style, and Aphorism.

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Francis Bacon

What is truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer. Certainly there be, that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to fix a belief; affecting free-will in thinking, as well as in acting. And though the sects of philosophers of that kind be gone, yet there remain certain discoursing wits, which are of the same veins, though there be not so much blood in them, as was in those of the ancients. But it is not only the difficulty and labor, which men take in finding out of truth, nor again, that when it is found, it imposeth upon men’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor; but a natural though corrupt love, of the lie itself. One of the later school of the Grecians, examineth the matter, and is at a stand, to think what should be in it, that men should love lies; where neither they make for pleasure, as with poets, nor for advantage, as with the merchant; but for the lie’s sake. But I cannot tell; this same truth, is a naked, and open day-light, that doth not show the masks, and mummeries, and triumphs, of the world, half so stately and daintily as candle-lights. Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl, that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond, or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights. A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt, that if there were taken out of men’s minds, vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds, of a number of men, poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves?

One of the fathers, in great severity, called poesy vinum doemonum , [the devils wine] because it filleth the imagination; and yet, it is but with the shadow of a lie. But it is not the lie that passeth through the mind, but the lie that sinketh in, and settleth in it, that doth the hurt; such as we spake of before. But, howsoever these things are thus in men’s depraved judgments, and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself, teacheth that the inquiry of truth, which is the love-making, or wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature. The first creature of God, in the works of the days, was the light of the sense; the last, was the light of reason; and his sabbath work ever since, is the illumination of his Spirit. First he breathed light, upon the face of the matter or chaos; then he breathed light, into the face of man; and still he breatheth and inspireth light, into the face of his chosen. The poet, that beautified the sect, that was otherwise inferior to the rest, saith yet excellently well: It is a pleasure, to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tossed upon the sea; a pleasure, to stand in the window of a castle, and to see a battle, and the adventures thereof below: but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth (a hill not to be commanded, and where the air is always clear and serene), and to see the errors, and wanderings, and mists, and tempests, in the vale below; so always that this prospect be with pity, and not with swelling, or pride. Certainly, it is heaven upon earth, to have a man’s mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.

To pass from theological, and philosophical truth, to the truth of civil business; it will be acknowledged, even by those that practise it not, that clear, and round dealing, is the honor of man’s nature; and that mixture of falsehoods, is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. For these winding, and crooked courses, are the goings of the serpent; which goeth basely upon the belly, and not upon the feet. There is no vice, that doth so cover a man with shame, as to be found false and perfidious. And therefore Montaigne saith prettily, when he inquired the reason, why the word of the lie should be such a disgrace, and such an odious charge? Saith he, If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much to say, as that he is brave towards God, and a coward towards men. For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man. Surely the wickedness of falsehood, and breach of faith, cannot possibly be so highly expressed, as in that it shall be the last peal, to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men; it being foretold, that when Christ cometh, he shall not find faith upon the earth.

MLA Citation

Bacon, Francis. “Of truth.” 1601. Quotidiana. Ed. Patrick Madden. 22 Jan 2007. 21 May 2024 <http://essays.quotidiana.org/bacon/truth/>.

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Of Truth by Francis Bacon: Explained in Easy Language

We have discussed a summary, line-by-line explanation, and the theme of the essay in the following paragraphs, all explained in simple language.

Table of Contents

Of Truth Summary

Francis Bacon observes a common human tendency to favor lies over truth. For instance, Pilate recognized Christ’s innocence but felt pressured to condemn him. It implies sticking to truth is hard, whereas holding lies carries no risk and offers the flexibility to change one’s point of view at will.

Man loves lies because they are attractive and change their color, similar to a diamond or carbuncle. Truth is unchanging and simple, much like a pearl. Despite the advantage of lies, truth is valuable.

Bacon agrees lies can give temporary relief and prevent sadness and hopelessness. Some forms of lies, like poetry, are harmless as their effect is temporary. However, fixed beliefs are harmful.

Bacon asserts the pursuit of truth is man’s supreme virtue. He believes understanding, searching, and living by truth is an achievement and satisfaction.

Honesty in everyday conversation is also necessary for a virtuous life. While it is beneficial, falsehood is shameful and harmful to individuals and society.

Line By Line Explanation

Francis Bacon begins the essay by referring to the Christ’s trial with a slight modification.

The Jewish chief priests and elders took Jesus to Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus if he was the King of the Jews. Jesus declared he was a king and came to bear witness to the world ( John 18:37 ). Having heard his declaration, Pilate asked him what the truth was ( John 18:38 ).

The Roman governor went outside and told the Jews that he found Jesus had done nothing wrong. Pilate was aware of Jesus’ innocence. Therefore, he tried to free Jesus by using a Passover tradition where he could release a prisoner, and questioned the crowd about Jesus’ supposed crimes.

Even though Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, he did not want to disappoint the Jewish crowd. Therefore, he ordered to crucify Christ. His decision regarding implies a reluctance to stand by the truth.

Bacon’s choice to frame Pilate’s question as “jesting” (Bacon 61) or joking could highlight a broader critique of how people prioritize convenience over upholding truth. People are often not ready to confront the consequences of admitting the truth.

Some people ignore truth and consider a fixed belief a bondage to the free will of thinking and action. They want to think and act freely. It is important to note what we believe is not truth. Bacon probably uses words belief and truth interchangeably.

It is risky to speak the truth, especially when it challenges predominant belief. For example, Galileo faced persecution for asserting heliocentric truth, which means the Earth goes around the Sun.

It requires courage. Therefore, most people prefer to keep quiet to avoid potential risks.

Pilate’s decision to wash his hands publicly and declare himself free of Christ’s blood proves his awareness of the committed injustice. It also suggests his attempt to avert himself from moral responsibility.

Bacon draws a similarity between Pilate and the human tendency to avoid the price of committing to the truth. Pilate was afraid to stand up for the truth because he did not want to lose the support of the Jews.

Bacon mentions that some groups of Greek philosophers had a keen interest in seeking the truth. He probably refers to the “Sceptics” and the “New (or third) Academy” (Pitcher 61n4).

They believed it was hard for people to know the truth. Some intellectuals still exist, but they are not as passionate about it as the Greeks were.

Reasons for Ignoring Truth

Bacon dives into why people prefer falsehood. He argues people ignore truth not because finding truth is a laborious process nor it limits their thoughts. Instead, people lie because one naturally loves to lie.

Bacon refers to the Greek satirist Lucian. In Lover of Lies, Tychiades asks his friend Philokles why man lies even when it does not bring them joy like poets or profit like merchants. He questions why a man prefers lying for the sake of it.

For example, the speaker boasts before the sun in John Donne’s poem “ The Sun Rising ”. It amuses the poet and creates a space where he can imaginatively claim power over the mighty sun. Similarly, a merchant or a company might lie for profit. Lucian suggests that beyond poetry or trade, some lie simply for the lie itself.

Though Bacon does not explain the reasons, here are some probable reasons.

First, Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory explains that children learn a behavior, including lying, either by direct experience or observing others. If they observe no consequences for lying, they might learn it is acceptable.

Second, they like to avoid repercussions of being truthful, which we have discussed above.

Third, psychologically, lying can be a defense mechanism to avoid unpleasant situations and maintain one’s subjective reality.

Differences between Truth and Lies

Bacon contrasts truth and lies by comparing them to clear daylight and flattering candlelight. Daylight does not show the masks, mummeries and triumphs of the world as elegantly as candlelight does on stage.

A masque and mummery are an early form of dramatic performance.

The soft glow of candlelight can beautify a scene and make things more attractive than they are. This analogy suggests truth shows things as they are and offers an unfiltered view of reality. On the other hand, lies distort perception and provide a filtered view of the truth.

Bacon gives another analogy between pearl and diamond to differentiate truth and falsity. Truth is like a pearl that is constant and unaffected by light conditions. A diamond or carbuncle changes its appearance in various lighting conditions and attracts people.

The comparison implies that while truth is invaluable, it lacks the glamour of lies. They often seem more appealing because of their ability to deceive. Consequently, people prioritize flashy things such as lies over simplicity and honesty.

Bacon poses a critical question about the role of lies in life. Mind operates on a pleasure principle, seeking joy and avoiding pain. The challenges of life drive us to create fantasies.

Though these falsehoods are lies, they offer comfort and hope, making life bearable. If one removes all these pointless opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations, life would be empty and disillusioned.

For example, in the story “ The Free Radio ,” the protagonist Ramani holds to the false hope of receiving a free radio and becoming a hero, which keeps him spirited despite his poverty.

It raises a question: What kind of falsehood should we allow in our perception of reality?

The section below aims to answer this.

Light-Hearted Lies vs. Serious Lies

Poetry is a light-hearted lie and harmless, as its effects are temporary. However, Philosophers like Plato have been skeptical about poetry, and excluded poets from his ideal Republic . They often associate poetry with lies. So, St Jerome criticized poetry and said that poetry is the “food of devils” (Pitcher 62n9).

Though it distracts the readers from reality by firing up their imagination, it does not last long. Instead of poetry, those deep-rooted lies are harmful. For instance, Ramani’s firm faith in becoming a film star leads him to sell his only livelihood: his rickshaw.

Lies deeply influence one’s perceptions and actions. It is seductive and ultimately harmful.

The Value of Truth

On the other hand, pursuing truth brings lasting benefits. Similar to other essays, such as ‘ Of Studies ,’ ‘ Of Friendship ,’ and ‘ Of Marriage and Single Life ,’ where Bacon discusses the benefits of specific topics, in this essay, he also explores the advantages of being truthful.

Truth is self-evident and self-validating; it does not require external validation for its worth. Searching for, understanding, and believing in truth is profoundly rewarding.

Bacon likens this quest to a romantic relationship. One seeks to know a person deeply, feel the presence of the other, and enjoy being with the person in a romantic pursuit. Similarly, engaging with truth in these ways enriches our lives.

It emphasizes that just as relationships bring joy and fulfillment, so does the pursuit of truth make one’s understanding and experience of the world deep and meaningful.

However, I think embracing truth can be challenging. For instance, Galileo’s opposition shows how hard following truth can be, especially when they are against commonly accepted beliefs. Unlike the joy of love, seeking truth often leads to difficult discoveries that demand courage to face.

Nevertheless, seeking truth is a fundamental human nature and a divine intention. He refers to Genesis 1:3 and 1:27 to justify his point (Pitcher 62n10).

God first created light that lets us see. The last thing he created was the reason. God also gave light to the formless earth and intellectual insight and spiritual enlightenment to humans.

The Benefit of Truth

Knowing oneself is the ultimate aim of man. Another benefit of truth is the one who knows oneself. The person knows everyone because all are one and connected.

Bacon paraphrases the first ten lines of Book II of Lucretius’s On the Nature of Things as an example. It mentions watching jerking ships during a storm from the shore and a battle from a castle window are pleasant experiences (Pitcher 62n11).

It is not about enjoying the suffering of others rather realizing one is safe from those troubles.

Witnessing these situations can be a metaphor for observing difficulties from a safe distance. The distance allows viewers to notice these situations safely without being directly involved.

However, the pleasure of viewing things on the downhill from a high hill is incomparable. One can see things clearly down the valley. The metaphorical hill represents a higher level of understanding. From this ideal state, one can understand the mistakes, doubts, and mental disturbances of those below the level.

The state of enlightenment is calm and clear, like a serene air. The high ground of truth is better than the physical viewpoints because of the superiority of intellectual insight over mere physical advantage.

The advantageous position allows one to observe and understand life challenges and the human condition. Therefore, Bacon suggests one should observe others with compassion rather than a sense of pride. Living with kindness towards others, trusting in the divine, and being guided by truth is like living in paradise on earth.

So, it highlights the importance of wisdom, which is attainable through the path of truth.

Benefits of Truth in Everyday Life

In daily interactions, following the path of truth is also necessary. Being open and honest is a noble aspect of human nature. While honesty is universally cherished, lies degrade human dignity.

It might make the metalwork seem valuable but degrades its value. It suggests that though deceit might offer short-term advantages, it ultimately degrades one’s character.

Taking dishonest paths is akin to the movement of a snake. It needs the support of its belly to move. A lie also requires the help of another lie to justify it.

This imagery reflects the negative symbolism of the serpent in Christianity. Christians consider snakes to be evil because Satan takes the form of a serpent and instigates Eve to eat the apple.

No other vice makes a person feel as ashamed as being caught lying and betraying trust. Deceit is the ultimate vice, bringing shame and mistrust.

The Moral Implications of Lying

Montaigne ponders why calling someone a liar is disgraceful. Bacon cites a statement from “Of Giving the lie” Essays II 18, where Montaigne quotes Plutarch (Pitcher 63n14).

To him, lying is akin to defying God while fearing the judgment of humans. A liar has no courage before another man, and one takes it for granted that lying would not affect the judgment day.

The evil of lying and breaking trust is so great that it could be the final warning for God to judge humanity. Humanity will feel the repercussions of telling lies on the day of Doomsday when God will judge humanity.

Bacon cites Luke 18:8, emphasizing that when Christ returns to the earth, he shall not find faith in humanity. He believes the world will be full of liars, according to Pitcher (63n15).

It argues that lying is a moral wrong with personal and societal consequences. It makes one internally corrupted and weakens human relationships. Lies also disrespect divine principles and likely invoke divine judgment.

Therefore, honesty is crucial for both moral integrity and the foundation of society.

What is the main idea of the essay “Of Truth”?

The central idea of the essay is the value and benefits of truthfulness. Truth has value, and there are benefits to being truthful. Lies might offer temporary pleasure. However, truth has a deep and lasting significance for individuals. We have discussed a summary, line-by-line explanation, and the theme of the essay in the following paragraphs, all explained in simple language.

What is the writing style of Francis Bacon in “Of Truth”?

Bacon uses an aphoristic style in the essay. An aphoristic style means conveying complex and deep ideas in just a few words. Bacon uses this method in his essays, including “Of Truth”, “ Of Love ”, “Of Studies”, and others. For instance, the statement from “Of Truth”, “But it is not only the difficulty and labor, which men take in finding out the truth, nor again, that when it is found, it imposes upon men’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor; but a natural, though corrupt love, of the lie itself,’ is aphoristic. It captures human nature and our relationship with truth and falsehood and their natural inclination towards falsehood in a brief and thought-provoking manner.

When was “Of Truth” published?

“Of Truth” appeared in the later edition of the essay collection titled Essays or Counsels, Civil and Moral in 1625, although the collection was first published in 1597.

Bacon, Francis. “Of Truth.” Francis Bacon: The Essays , edited by John Pitcher, Penguin Books, 1985, pp. 61-63.
Bandura, Albert. “Social Cognitive theory of Mass Communications.” Media effects: Advances in theory and Research , edited by J. Bryant and D. Zillman,NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2001, pp. 121-153.
Valkenburg, Patti M., and Jessica Taylor Piotrowski. Plugged In: How Media Attract and Affect Youth , Yale University Press, 2017.

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Of Truth, by Francis Bacon

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An Introduction to Punctuation
Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
B.A., English, State University of New York

"Of Truth" is the opening essay in the final edition of the philosopher, statesman and jurist Francis Bacon 's "Essays or Counsels, Civil and Moral" (1625). In this essay, as associate professor of philosophy Svetozar Minkov points out, Bacon addresses the question of "whether it is worse to lie to others or to oneself--to possess truth (and lie, when necessary, to others) or to think one possesses the truth but be mistaken and hence unintentionally convey falsehoods to both oneself and to others" ("Francis Bacon's 'Inquiry Touching Human Nature,'" 2010). In "Of Truth," Bacon argues that people have a natural inclination to lie to others: "a natural though corrupt love, of the lie itself."

"What is truth?" said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer. Certainly, there be that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to fix a belief, affecting free-will in thinking as well as in acting. And though the sects of philosophers of that kind be gone, yet there remain certain discoursing wits which are of the same veins, though there be not so much blood in them as was in those of the ancients. But it is not only the difficulty and labor which men take in finding out of truth, nor again that when it is found it imposeth upon men's thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor, but a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself. One of the later school of the Grecians examineth the matter, and is at a stand to think what should be in it, that men should love lies where neither they make for pleasure, as with poets, nor for advantage, as with the merchant; but for the lie's sake. But I cannot tell: this same truth is a naked and open daylight that doth not show the masques and mummeries and triumphs of the world half so stately and daintily as candle-lights. Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights. A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt that if there were taken out of men's minds vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds of a number of men poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves? One of the fathers, in great severity, called poesy vinum daemonum [the wine of devils] because it filleth the imagination, and yet it is but with the shadow of a lie. But it is not the lie that passeth through the mind, but the lie that sinketh in and settleth in it that doth the hurt, such as we spake of before. But howsoever these things are thus in men's depraved judgments and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself, teacheth that the inquiry of truth, which is the love-making or wooing of it; the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it; and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature. The first creature of God in the works of the days was the light of the sense; the last was the light of reason; and his Sabbath work ever since is the illumination of his spirit. First he breathed light upon the face of the matter, or chaos; then he breathed light into the face of man; and still he breatheth and inspireth light into the face of his chosen. The poet that beautified the sect that was otherwise inferior to the rest, saith yet excellently well, "It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tossed upon the sea; a pleasure to stand in the window of a castle, and to see a battle and the adventures thereof below; but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth (a hill not to be commanded, and where the air is always clear and serene), and to see the errors and wanderings and mists and tempests in the vale below"*; so always that this prospect be with pity, and not with swelling or pride. Certainly it is heaven upon earth to have a man's mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.

To pass from theological and philosophical truth to the truth of civil business: it will be acknowledged, even by those that practice it not, that clear and round dealing is the honor of man's nature, and that mixture of falsehood is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. For these winding and crooked courses are the goings of the serpent, which goeth basely upon the belly and not upon the feet. There is no vice that doth so cover a man with shame as to be found false and perfidious; and therefore Montaigne saith prettily, when he inquired the reason why the word of the lie should be such a disgrace and such an odious charge. Saith he, "If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much as to say that he is brave towards God, and a coward towards man." For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man. Surely the wickedness of falsehood and breach of faith cannot possibly be so highly expressed as in that it shall be the last peal to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men: it being foretold that when Christ cometh, "He shall not find faith upon the earth."

*Bacon's paraphrase of the opening lines of Book II of "On the Nature of Things" by Roman poet Titus Lucretius Carus.

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The Role of DNA in Criminal Investigations: Solving Crimes with Genetic Evidence

This essay is about the crucial role of DNA in criminal investigations, highlighting its precision in identifying individuals and its impact on justice. It explores DNA’s power to exonerate the wrongfully accused, the ethical concerns surrounding genetic surveillance, and the evolving landscape of DNA technology. The essay emphasizes the need for balance between public safety and individual privacy, urging a cautious and principled approach to genetic advances to ensure DNA serves justice and humanity.

How it works

In the elaborate choreography of criminal investigations, DNA stands as an eminent beacon, shedding light on the pursuit of truth and justice with its unmatched precision. Within our cellular makeup lies a genetic narrative, an intricate tale of identity that indelibly impacts the realm of forensic science. In the esteemed halls of justice, where the reverberations of historical wrongs persist, DNA acts as a quiet sentinel, revealing untold stories etched in the very essence of our being.

The narrative of DNA in criminal investigations unfurls like a gripping thriller, intertwining elements of science, law, and human drama.

At its heart is the transformative power of genetic identification—a harmonious arrangement of nucleotide sequences orchestrating the intricate dance of life. In forensic laboratories, technicians work meticulously to extract genetic clues from crime scenes, sifting through complex biological evidence to uncover hidden truths. Each decoded fragment of DNA adds to a mosaic of identity, illuminating the dark corners of criminality.

Yet, DNA’s significance goes beyond mere identification; it serves as a beacon of hope for the wrongfully accused, a lifeline amidst the storm of injustice. In the chronicles of exoneration, DNA emerges as a redeemer, liberating the innocent from the chains of wrongful conviction. Through rigorous scientific examination, long-buried truths are unearthed, casting doubt on past certainties and heralding a new era of accountability. In the quest for justice, DNA functions as both a sword and a shield, cutting through deceit and protecting the innocent from unjust persecution.

However, alongside the triumphs of forensic science, shadows of ethical complexity and societal concern arise. The prospect of genetic surveillance looms, casting doubt on the promises of genetic justice. Each collected saliva swab, each scrutinized hair strand, raises questions about privacy and autonomy, challenging the delicate balance between public safety and individual freedom. In the intricate corridors of legal debate, voices call for clear guidelines and safeguards to prevent the overreach of genetic surveillance.

Furthermore, as technology advances, new frontiers in genetic investigation emerge, presenting both risks and opportunities. From the rise of forensic genealogy to the advent of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, the landscape of DNA analysis is continuously evolving, laden with ethical dilemmas and moral questions. As we stand on the cusp of genetic breakthroughs, it is crucial to proceed with caution, guided by principles of prudence and humility.

In the grand narrative of human history, DNA is a thread interwoven into the very fabric of justice—a testament to our relentless quest for truth amidst adversity. As we navigate the complexities of genetic investigation, we must remain mindful of the guiding principles that illuminate our path: integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice for all. In the crucible of forensic science, where echoes of the past linger, let us strive for a future where DNA is not wielded as a tool of oppression, but as a beacon of hope for a more just and equitable tomorrow.

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Rudy Giuliani Claims He Tipped Off Arizona Agents Trying to Serve Him Indictment Papers, Despite Gloating Online About Evading Them

By Bess Levin

After evading Arizona agents for weeks, Rudy Giuliani was finally served with indictment papers over the weekend for trying to overturn the 2020 election. The exchange took place in Palm Beach, outside of the first of two 80th birthday parties for the ex-mayor of New York City.

Giuliani was served not long after he took to social media to mock Arizona attorney general Kris Mayes, saying in a since-deleted post on X: “If Arizona authorities can’t find me by tomorrow morning: 1. They must dismiss the indictment; 2. They must concede they can’t count votes.” The note was accompanied by a photo of a grinning Giuliani surrounded by four blondes, a brunette, a young guy with black hair, and balloons. Just several hours later, Mayes responded : “The final defendant was served moments ago. @RudyGiuliani nobody is above the law.”

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The following day, Giuliani claimed that “contrary to reports from journalists who weren’t there, our early 80th birthday celebration wasn’t ‘ruined’ or interrupted.” On Sunday, he explained that he “had just found out they were looking for me 24 hours before” the party, adding, “I told them where I would be and I accepted service like a gentleman!” In a statement, Giuliani spokesman Ted Goodman told The Washington Post that the former attorney to Donald Trump “was served after the party and as he was walking to the car,” noting that he was looking “forward to full vindication soon.” Goodman claimed that Giuliani was “unfazed.” (As the Post reported earlier this month, Arizona prosecutors could have ultimately issued a warrant for his arrest.)

The Arizona charges are, of course, not the only problem currently plaguing Giuliani. He has also been charged in Georgia ( where he’s pleaded not guilty ) for trying to overturn the election there, and he owes a cool $148 million to the 2020 election workers he was found liable for defaming.

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For Political Journalists, Neutrality Isn’t the Goal

It’s objectivity, and being on the side of the truth in an intellectually dishonest era.

Two people, Governor Gavin Newsom and Republican challenger state senator Brian Dahle sit at the desk to the left. The desk has the California state symbol in front. On the desk on the right is Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos. Their desk has the letters "KQED" on the front. The background large digital screen reads "California Gubernatorial Debate."

Political journalist Marisa Lagos argues that now more than ever, reporters cannot remain neutral in the face of untruths. Marisa Lagos (far right) co-moderates the California gubernatorial debate on October 23, 2022. Courtesy of Aryk Copley/KQED.

by Marisa Lagos | May 16, 2024

Can we, and should we, ever really be neutral? In a new series, Zócalo explores the idea of neutrality—in politics, sports, gender, journalism, international law, and more. In this essay, political reporter Marisa Lagos argues that journalism’s goal isn’t neutrality.

My ability to be neutral as a political journalist depends on the intellectual honesty of the people—and the society—I cover.

But in an era when one side of the political spectrum is not always operating in good faith, and when people in my position are increasingly losing the trust of the audiences we serve, I don’t think neutrality should be the final goal. Instead, perhaps, we should think about neutrality more as a means to an end: uncovering the truth, without fear or favor, and presenting that truth to the public.

The dictionary defines being neutral as, “not aligned with or supporting any side or position in a controversy.” There are certainly aspects of my job where this is core to the work, such as in reporting, where being neutral means asking open-ended questions and dispassionately following facts, wherever they may lead.

Take criminal justice policy, one of the most challenging beats that I have ever covered. When I began reporting on the topic 15 years ago, California was grappling with prisons so crowded that, eventually, the U.S Supreme Court stepped in and ordered the state to reduce the populations.

This record incarceration was the result of a “tough on crime” movement that correlated safety with long prison sentences. But that correlation wasn’t borne out by the facts: People were receiving decades-long sentences for drug possession or property crimes, taking state funding away from schools and other core state services. California also had a very high recidivism rate, meaning most people who were released from prison would quickly return—but it often wasn’t for a new violent crime, rather for a simple violation of their parole rules.

I felt it was crucial to tell this story from all angles—and not just from the perspective of crime victims or law enforcement, who had dominated the discussion during the “tough on crime” era. I wanted to capture the points of view of the people who were incarcerated, and their families and communities who were impacted by their crimes and the punishment meted out. I tried to center my reporting not just on anecdotes but on data and research—even if that research did not comport with widely accepted assumptions and beliefs.

It was not always popular to do so, even with my editors, who were used to relying on conventional sources and well-worn narratives. Now, a decade or so into the reforms sparked by the prison overcrowding crisis—and as we face new challenges around property crimes and drug use—I am digging back into this issue to assess whether the reforms worked, or if they are to blame for the problems so evident in California.

I don’t yet know what I will find. But I do know that my job is to report it, no matter who likes or dislikes the findings.

Eventually, I’ll come to the point in my work when I have to leave neutrality behind and seek objectivity. Once I have answered the questions that I set out to ask, I have to make a call about what I found.

That doesn’t mean taking a side in the political sense. It means taking the side of the truth.

This can be a challenge in itself. It’s particularly hard when you are interviewing someone on live TV or radio, where you must push back against falsehoods in real time. Recently, we had U.S Senate candidate Eric Early, someone who believes that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump, on my radio show.

This is not an intellectually honest argument to make, even if many Americans agree with it: The facts don’t bear out. So, when I am in the studio with Early in that moment, it’s not my job to stay “neutral” and simply listen. It’s my job to question, to push back—and, yes, call out the lies when they are uttered. It doesn’t have to be confrontational or uncivil, but it is key to doing my job responsibly.

This is where objectivity becomes key—the ability to set aside personal feelings or opinions and look at the facts, then make a judgment based on that information. Neutrality alone—the idea of not aligning yourself with one side—doesn’t cut it when you’re faced with someone who is lying, obfuscating, or being intellectually dishonest, even if they believe what they’re saying. But it’s also a mistake to see objectivity in this kind of situation as taking a side, other than the side of the truth.

Because the role of a journalist is to seek, uncover, and broadcast the truth. Without fear or favor. Without my own beliefs getting in the way. Even if, in this moment, it is harder than ever.

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Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/justice-alitos-home-flew-a-u-s-flag-upside-down-after-jan-6-a-report-says

Justice Alito’s home flew a U.S. flag upside down after Jan. 6, a report says

WASHINGTON (AP) — An upside-down American flag, a symbol associated with former President Donald Trump’s false claims of election fraud, was displayed outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in January 2021, The New York Times reported.

A photo obtained and published by the newspaper on Thursday shows the flag flying on Jan. 17, 2021, days after the Republican’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to try to prevent certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential election victory. Dozens of the pro-Trump rioters were carrying similarly inverted flags and chanting slogans like “Stop the Steal.”

The report could raise concerns about Alito’s impartiality as the court considers two major cases related to the Capitol attack, including charges faced by the rioters and whether Trump has immunity from prosecution on election interference charges. The justice said the flag was placed there by his wife amid a dispute with neighbors.

Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Alito to recuse himself Friday from cases related to the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.

“Flying an upside-down American flag — a symbol of the so-called ‘Stop the Steal’ movement — clearly creates the appearance of bias,” Durbin said in a statement.

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, meanwhile, called the report an attempt to “intimidate justices,” in a social-media post.

EXPLAINER: Who is Ginni Thomas and why is she important to the Jan. 6 hearings?

It comes as another conservative justice, Clarence Thomas, has ignored calls to recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election over his wife, Ginni Thomas’, support for Trump and as public trust in the Supreme Court is at its lowest point in at least 50 years. Judicial experts said the flag clearly violates ethics rules set to avoid even the appearance of bias.

At the time the flag was flying, the court was still considering whether to take up cases over the 2020 election. It ultimately rejected them over dissent from three conservative justices, including Alito, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, a Republican. He wrote that the court’s consideration of the cases would have no impact on the 2020 election but “would provide invaluable guidance for future elections.”

Alito acknowledged the presence of the flag at his home in Alexandria, Virginia, but said he had “no involvement whatsoever in the flying of the flag.”

“It was briefly placed by Mrs. Alito in response to a neighbor’s use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs,” Alito said in an emailed statement to the newspaper.

Martha-Ann Alito had been in a dispute with another family in the neighborhood over an anti-Trump sign on their lawn, and neighbors also interpreted the flag as a political statement, the Times reported. It’s unclear how long the flag was flying.

Judicial ethics codes focus on the need for judges to be independent, avoiding political statements or opinions on matters they could be called on to decide. The Supreme Court had long gone without its own code of ethics, but it adopted one in November 2023 in the face of sustained criticism over undisclosed trips and gifts from wealthy benefactors to some justices. The code lacks a means of enforcement, however.

Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia, told the newspaper that flying the flag upside down is “the equivalent of putting a ‘Stop the Steal’ sign in your yard, which is a problem if you’re deciding election-related cases.”

Even if it was placed by his spouse or someone else living in the home, “he shouldn’t have it in his yard as his message to the world,” she said.

The Supreme Court has warned its employees about public displays indicating partisan leanings, the newspaper reported. The court did not respond to questions about whether those rules apply to justices.

The U.S. Flag Code states that the American flag is not to be flown upside down “except as a signal of dire distress in instance of extreme danger to life or property.” It has been used as a protest symbol on both the left and the right on a range of issues over the decades. It took off as a symbol of Trump’s “Stop the Steal” campaign as he spread false claims that the election he lost to Biden had been stolen.

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‘They Have Established the Backbone of the Case’: Three Lawyers Dissect the Trump Trial

By David French , Rebecca Roiphe and Ken White

Mr. French is a Times columnist. Ms. Roiphe is a former assistant district attorney in the Manhattan district attorney’s office. Mr. White is a former federal prosecutor.

David French, a Times columnist, hosted a written online conversation with Rebecca Roiphe, a former assistant district attorney in the Manhattan district attorney’s office, and Ken White, a former federal prosecutor, to discuss Donald Trump’s Manhattan trial and Michael Cohen’s testimony.

David French: Let’s start with a big-picture question. I have less trial experience than either of you, but this deep into a trial, I always had a sense of the momentum of the case, of who is winning and who is losing. Who is more pleased with the course of the trial so far — the prosecution or the defense?

Rebecca Roiphe: In my view, the prosecution is happier about how things are going than the defense. They have established the backbone of the case, which is the false records, and they have provided a great deal of circumstantial evidence tying Donald Trump to those records and establishing his intent.

Ken White: When you ask who is more pleased with the course of the trial, remember that Trump is usually pursuing a public relations and political strategy at the expense of good courtroom strategy. In that sense, I suspect Team Trump is happy that he’s getting lots of airtime to push his narrative that he’s a victim of the elites and that the trial doesn’t seem to have had much of an impact on his polling numbers.

If you ask me as a trial lawyer, I agree with Rebecca that the D.A. is doing a solid job proving the elements of its case and telling the story in a way likely to grab the jury. So far, they are hitting all the necessary points.

French: Stormy Daniels’s testimony was far more riveting and disturbing than I anticipated. She described a sexual encounter that was fundamentally exploitive and potentially even predatory. In the aftermath, Trump’s lawyer moved for a mistrial, claiming that the details of that testimony could prejudice the jury. What was your assessment of her testimony? Did the prosecution make a mistake in asking her to describe the details of the encounter?

White: This is all on Trump. He’s the one who decided, for ego reasons, to make repeated claims that the sexual encounter never happened. He could have rendered the details irrelevant by keeping his mouth shut, but he had to call her a liar. That makes it relevant. Yes, her description was skin-crawling. She wasn’t a great witness — she was argumentative and had trouble answering questions directly — but she did what the prosecution needed her to do.

Roiphe: The prosecution was in a difficult position. It needed to establish that this story would have been disturbing, so much so that Trump would find it necessary to suppress it. But the judge had admonished them not to bring out too many details. The media got caught up in the sex scene at the expense of the real point of the testimony, and it’s possible that the jury did as well. But I don’t think it will ultimately undermine the case.

French: Is the judge’s decision to deny the motion for mistrial a reversible error?

Roiphe: I don’t think this will cause a huge legal problem for the prosecution on appeal. Defense lawyers call for mistrials all the time, and judges have a great deal of latitude in dealing with moments like these when testimony slips out that should not have.

French: Let’s talk about Michael Cohen for a moment. His testimony is obviously crucial for the prosecution, but as is often the case, the prosecution is using the testimony of a criminal to try to convict the defendant. How vulnerable are criminal informants to impeachment, and how do juries tend to process their testimony?

White: It’s a rookie mistake for a prosecutor to try to argue, “Actually, our cooperator isn’t that bad.” Cohen is that bad. Redemption tour and podcast or not, he’s a convicted liar. Fortunately the D.A. isn’t making him out to be an angel.

Roiphe: The prosecution has done a great job in setting up Cohen’s testimony. They have used other witnesses to paint him as a misfit, a liar, a bully. You don’t have to like Cohen to believe him. There are so many dots that have already been connected that Cohen is simply going over ground that has already been paved.

White: And prosecutors seem to be using the classic move of using Cohen’s dishonesty against Trump, by showing to the jury that Trump chose Cohen precisely because he’s a crook. Watch for them to lean into that theme in closing: Cohen is a dishonest person who does dishonest things, and that’s why Trump needed him.

Roiphe: There are a few key pieces of his testimony beyond what has already been established that the prosecution hopes the jury will believe. Namely, that Trump led this scheme and was directly involved in the cover-up.

French: I want to share my chief concern about the case. Readers may recall that to secure a conviction for a felony, the prosecution doesn’t just have to prove that Trump falsified business records but that he did so in furtherance of another crime. In your judgment, is the prosecution doing enough to establish that crucial element of the case? And is that element of the case legally robust enough to survive an appeal?

Roiphe: I am not as concerned about the vulnerability of this case as others have been. There has been a lot of testimony about Trump’s concern about these women’s stories and how they would affect the election. This testimony has come from pretty uncontroversial witnesses like Hope Hicks. In a way, it’s just common sense: Why were all these people involved in such a coordinated and intricate effort to make these payments and then lie about them? There are very few plausible reasons other than the one the prosecution has set forth.

White: The jury will be less worried about the nuances of the “furtherance of another crime” element than we commenters are. Juries tend to absorb things on a big-picture story level. The D.A. has done a very solid job connecting Trump’s deceit and hush-money payments to campaign concerns, not to family embarrassment.

French: It would be a dreadful outcome for the country if Trump is convicted before the election, only to have that conviction reversed afterward. It would provide rocket fuel for the argument that the prosecution was little more than partisan election interference.

Roiphe: For the D.A.’s office, in terms of the legal question, this just doesn’t look all that different from other cases that it regularly prosecutes. Sure, the means are different. But I think the New York courts will see this as consistent with the very broad interpretation they have given to this statute.

French: Has the defense scored any obvious points? My perception, much like yours, is that the prosecution has done a solid job of building its case. But are there any surprising weak points? What’s the defense’s best moment so far?

Roiphe: I thought the defense scored some points with Stormy Daniels, even though overall her testimony was solid. Trump’s lawyer Susan Necheles argued that Daniels had a vendetta, that she hates Trump and that she has been inconsistent in telling this story. But the jury doesn’t really have to think her motives are innocent, as long as they believe the basic story. And I don’t think the defense managed to blow up her testimony in any important way.

White: The defense’s attempts to shame Stormy Daniels for being an adult film performer fell flat, as they should. I think the defense’s best opportunity to really shine will come during the cross-examination of Michael Cohen.

French: Justice Juan Merchan has one of the most challenging jobs in trial judge history. He’s presiding over the prosecution of a former president, and Trump is an extraordinarily defiant defendant. How’s he doing?

Roiphe: One of the hardest things for the judge is whether and to what extent to take into account the identity of the defendant in making decisions. For the most part, the judge has treated this like any other trial and in that way has done a solid job and appeared impartial.

White: Justice Merchan has a thankless job. The defense is treating him extremely disrespectfully, and the prosecution is being impatient. When he is cautious and methodical, as he has been in taking the gag order and contempt issues slowly and carefully, half the country is frustrated that he hasn’t thrown Trump in jail, and half is furious that he’s persecuting Trump.

Roiphe: The gag order has really been a test. It would be such a spectacle to throw a former president in jail for contempt. It would have played right into Trump’s victim narrative.

White: Overall, he seems to be doing a thoughtful, patient job.

French: My understanding is that the defense wasn’t necessarily planning on calling a large number of witnesses, and I certainly don’t expect Trump to testify. When their turn comes to make their case, what do you expect? How much will the defense tell its own story, as opposed to resting mainly on cross-examination of prosecution witnesses?

Roiphe: Some of that might depend on how well Cohen holds up on cross-examination. If the prosecution looks as strong as it does now at the time the government rests its case, I think the defense will feel a lot of pressure to put on some sort of case.

It’s hard to know what sort of defense they would put on, given that they never really settled on one theory. They went in with the sweeping argument that Trump did nothing at all wrong. They would have a hard time establishing that his conduct was perfect. But they may be able to buttress some of the smaller arguments they have raised if they can call witnesses who could undermine the prosecution’s argument about his intent.

White: The Trump team will make the decision based largely on political strategy, not courtroom strategy. They may offer some witnesses who will advance the campaign narrative of Trump the victim.

French: In normal circumstances, applying a political strategy to a criminal prosecution would be foolish. You could make yourself popular but still go to jail.

Roiphe: The defense essentially shifted the burden to themselves to prove their client is perfect, when all they had to do was show that the prosecution failed to prove its case. But from a political perspective, that’s so Trump, and it has worked for him.

French: In this circumstance, how much could a political victory help Trump legally? This would be a state conviction, not federal, so his control over the Department of Justice doesn’t matter, and he would not have the power to pardon himself. But would a political victory make a conviction fundamentally irrelevant?

Roiphe: Practically, the appeals process will inevitably take time, and I doubt if Trump wins the election, he would be sent to state prison. So maybe in the long run, it’s not a terrible miscalculation.

White: Since the Mueller investigation, Trump has consistently done things that are foolish legally but promote his narrative — his brand. We saw that recently in the E. Jean Carroll trials, we saw it throughout the investigations leading up to the four criminal cases against him, and we’re seeing it in court now. The smart play here, for instance, would have been to say it doesn’t matter whether or not he had a relationship with Stormy Daniels, because that renders big chunks of the case irrelevant. But character is destiny, and Trump’s character is egotistical and combative.

French: Let’s end with some lightning round questions. First, since the trial has started, in your view has the chance of conviction gone up or down?

Roiphe: Up.

White: Up significantly.

French: Trump is supremely irritated by the judge’s gag order, and while gag orders are infrequent, they’re not all that unusual. Is the gag order in this case justified?

Roiphe: Yes, although I think there should be an exception when witnesses like Michael Cohen have been so public and vocal.

White: We should thank Trump for making law on gag orders. We have a very detailed D.C. Circuit opinion now that will be extremely helpful in a First Amendment area that was previously not well charted. By being so willing to antagonize the judge and by being able to afford lawyers to brief and appeal the gag order, Trump’s helping clarify the law.

French: One last question: J.D. Vance has been mentioned as a potential Trump vice-presidential pick, and he showed up at court on Monday to support Trump. Who is the next V.P. hopeful to make an appearance?

Roiphe: The ghost of Kristi Noem’s dog?

White: It’s going to be Alex Jones or any cop who has pepper-sprayed at least five student protesters.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

Rebecca Roiphe, a former assistant district attorney in the Manhattan district attorney’s office, is a law professor at New York Law School. Ken White, a former federal prosecutor, is a partner at Brown White & Osborn in Los Angeles.

Source photographs by Charly Triballeau, MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle, Michael M. Santiago, and The Washington Post via Getty Images.

David French is an Opinion columnist, writing about law, culture, religion and armed conflict. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a former constitutional litigator. His most recent book is “Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation .” You can follow him on Threads ( @davidfrenchjag ).

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International

Michael Cohen testifies in Trump hush money trial

By CNN's Kara Scannell, Lauren Del Valle and Jeremy Herb in the courthouse

Key takeaways from Michael Cohen's first day of testimony

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell

Michael Cohen implicated his former boss Donald Trump in the hush money scheme to pay Stormy Daniels just days before the 2016 election, saying he doled out $130,000 at Trump’s direction and was promised reimbursement.

Cohen’s testimony ties together the prosecution’s allegations that Trump broke the law by falsifying business records to reimburse Cohen and conceal the hush money payment that Cohen said he made at Trump’s direction. Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies having an affair with Daniels.

Here are some of the key takeaways from Cohen's first day on the stand:

Cohen ties Trump to the Daniels hush money payment: Through roughly five hours of testimony Monday, Cohen walked jurors through how he worked with former National Enquirer editor David Pecker on Trump’s behalf during the 2016 campaign to kill negative stories; how he kept Trump apprised of his hush money negotiations with Keith Davidson, the attorney for Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal; and how Trump approved and was aware of how Cohen would be falsely repaid in 2017 for the Daniels payment as legal services.
Cohen ties the hush money reimbursement to Trump, too: Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records – 11 invoices, 12 vouchers and 11 checks – records that prosecutors say stem from the monthly reimbursements Cohen received in 2017 for the hush money payment he made to Daniels. On Monday, jurors heard through Cohen for the first-time evidence directly connecting Trump to those reimbursements.
Cohen describes being Trump’s protector: As Cohen described each media story he killed and nondisclosure agreement he locked down ahead of the 2016 election, it was always in the name of protecting Trump. When it came to the settlement agreement with Daniels, Cohen said he kept control of a document revealing the identities of “David Dennison” and “Peggy Peterson” so that he could protect Trump. And he testified that he used the Essential Consultants LLC to facilitate the payment to Daniels “to protect him and to isolate him from the transaction.” Hoffinger asked Cohen whether he would sometimes bully people. Cohen confirmed he would.

Cohen is expected back in court tomorrow

Donald Trump's ex-attorney and fixer Michael Cohen took the stand today to testify about the Stormy Daniels hush money payment and Trump's alleged involvement in the scheme .

He's expected to face more questions tomorrow. Court proceedings are expected to resume at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Michael Cohen took the stand as a key witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial. Here's what he said

From CNN's Elise Hammond

Michael Cohen answers questions from prosecutor Susan Hoffinger on Monday.

Michael Cohen took the stand on Monday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York.

When he was Trump’s personal attorney, Cohen made the $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. He landed in federal prison over that transaction for breaking campaign finance laws.

Through previous witnesses’ testimony, jurors have already heard plenty about Cohen. They have painted an unflattering portrait of an aggressive, impulsive and unlikeable attorney. The former “fixer,” now a critical witness , testified about the payment and Trump’s alleged involvement.

Here’s a look at what Cohen said on the stand today:

Relationship with Trump: Cohen said he worked directly for Trump , not the general counsel's office at the Trump Organization. He said working with the press was a “portion” of his job and would sometimes call news outlets and ask them to redact or take articles down. Cohen testified that it was required for him to keep Trump updated about his work.
On the presidential run: Cohen said Trump was worried about stories about his personal life coming out as he weighed a run for president, with Trump saying, “Just be prepared there’s going to be a lot of women coming forward,” according to Cohen. He testified that he didn’t have a formal role in the 2016 campaign, but he used his press contacts to be a surrogate .
The doorman story: Cohen said he learned about the doorman story circulating about Trump having fathered "a love child” and testified Trump told him to “handle it.” He confirmed that the strategy was to take the story “off the market” for $30,000, and Trump was grateful it wouldn’t be published. Cohen said he went to Trump to tell him the agreement was completed , as well as to get credit for executing it.
Karen McDougal: He said Trump told him to make sure the story about former Playboy model Karen McDougal didn’t get released, which he believed meant acquiring it . Cohen recounted a call with Pecker and Trump about the story. When Cohen told Trump the cost of controlling the McDougal story, Cohen testified Trump said, “No problem, I’ll take care of it.” Later, David Pecker, former CEO of the National Enquirer’s parent company, spoke to Cohen and insisted on being reimbursed .
"Access Hollywood" tape: When he learned about the video , released by the Washington Post, Cohen said he wanted to "ensure" things were being taken care of properly and that Trump would be protected . He testified that it was Melania Trump’s idea to say the language in the video “was locker room talk.” Cohen recalled thinking the tape would impact women voters.
Stormy Daniels: When he initially told Trump about the Stormy Daniels story, Cohen testified that Trump said, “Women are going to hate me” and that it would be “a disaster for the campaign.” Cohen said his former boss told him to work with Pecker to “take care of it.” As the agreement unfolded, Cohen said he kept Trump informed on the deal with Daniels.
Timing of Daniel’s payment: Trump wanted the situation with Daniels to be under wraps until after the election “because if I win, it will have no relevance because I'm president. And if I lose, I don't even care,” Trump said, according to Cohen.
Making the payment: Cohen said he spoke with Trump twice to get his sign-off before making the payment to Daniels using a company he created , Essential Consultants LLC. He said he would have never gone forward to the bank without Trump’s approval. He testified he also let Trump know he signed the agreement with Daniels.
Repayment to Cohen: Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg told Cohen he would be paid $420,000 for Daniel’s payment over 12 months . He testified that the payment series set up for future legal services was actually a reimbursement .

Trump rails against judge and says there's no crime in remarks outside of Manhattan courthouse

From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the press on Monday afternoon.

Donald Trump slammed Judge Juan Merchan and called the hush money trial a "scam" as he left the Manhattan courthouse on Monday.

“This is a scam, I think it’s it’s terrible thing that’s happening to democracy in this country,” Trump said. He then called the case a "rigged deal" and Merchan "conflicted."

He went on to read comments made by his allies regarding the case.

“There’s no fraud here, there’s no crime here," Trump said.

Trump's motorcade leaves the courthouse

Donald Trump's motorcade has left the courthouse. His car slowed down so he could wave and flash a thumbs up to supporters gathered outside.

Testimony in Trump's trial continues tomorrow.

Afternoon sketches show Michael Cohen on the stand as his former boss sits nearby in court

From CNN Digital's Photo Desk

Michael Cohen is questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger on Monday as former President Donald Trump and Judge Juan Merchan look on.

Sketch artists Christine Cornell and Jane Rosenberg have been providing us with courtroom perspectives throughout the trial as cameras are not allowed inside during proceedings.

Here are some of their latest sketches from Michael Cohen’s testimony Monday afternoon:

Prosecutors began questioning Cohen about Stormy Daniels on Monday afternoon.

More sketches from Cohen's testimony can be seen here .

The final moments today in the courtroom: Trump stacks his papers and Cohen nods toward jurors

As Judge Juan Merchan gives his daily instructions to the jury, Donald Trump is stacking up his papers and whispering with attorney Todd Blanche.

His hands are folded on the table and he then flips through the papers one more time.

Michael Cohen, for his part, pans the courtroom and then looks down at his hands as Merchan is speaking.

Cohen gives a small smile and nods toward the jurors as Merchan dismisses them for the day.

The key points of Michael Cohen's testimony about how he was reimbursed for the hush money deal

From CNN's Eric Levenson

Michael Cohen is questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger on Monday. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is in the foreground.

Michael Cohen finished the day’s testimony by explaining how he, former Trump Org. CFO Allen Weisselberg and Donald Trump agreed to reimburse him for the $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.

After Trump won the election, Cohen pitched Trump on a set up in which he would serve as Trump’s personal attorney for free but would be paid by companies hoping for insights on Trump.

In early January, Cohen went to Weisselberg about being reimbursed for the $130,000 payment, and Weisselberg agreed, Cohen testified. He showed Weisselberg the wire transfer document, and Weisselberg took handwritten notes calculating what Trump owed Cohen based on their conversations.

Weisselberg suggested Cohen take the money as income rather than as untaxed reimbursements, Cohen testified. "I didn’t really think about it. I just wanted to get my money back,” he said.

According to Cohen, they agreed that Trump would pay him $420,000 in all: $130,000 to reimburse him for the payment to Daniels, $50,000 to reimburse him for unrelated tech services, $180,000 to account for estimated taxes and a $60,000 bonus. The payments would be made over 12 months “as like a legal service rendered since I was then going to be given the title of personal attorney to the president,” Cohen testified.

They presented the plan to Trump, and he approved it, Cohen said. The payments were designed to look like future legal services, but they were actually reimbursement for the Daniels’ deal, he testified.

Cohen never actually put together a retainer agreement for any future work he'd do for Trump, “because I knew there was going to be no compensation,” he testified.

Court is breaking for the day

The court is breaking for the day and the jury is leaving the courtroom.

Donald Trump's ex-attorney Michael Cohen is expected to continue to be questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger tomorrow.

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The Hour of Truth
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"The Hour Truth"| Percival Wilde
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What is the critical analysis of Percival Wilde's play "The Hour of Truth"?
Expert Answers. The play "The Hour of Truth " by Percival Wilde can be appreciated from the stylistic perspective as a concise, round, and dynamic one-act play. The concise nature of the play is ...
The Hour of Truth Short Summary by Percival Wilde 12th English
Introduction. In the play "The Hour of Truth", Percival Wilde has indirectly personified Money as most powerful through the story of a small family where the protagonist, Robert Baldwin, is forced to sacrifice his nobility and to accept a crime just for the sake of a hundred thousand dollars. Percival Wilde doesn't intends to depict any ...
The Hour of Truth Summary
The Hour of Truth Summary. September 20, 2023 by Raju. "The Hour of Truth" is a gripping novel that explores the complexities of love, betrayal, and redemption in a small, close-knit community. The Hour Of Truth Lesson Summary as secrets unravel and hidden truths come to light, the characters are forced to confront the consequences of their ...
Plus Two English Textbook Answers Unit 2 Chapter 3 The Hour of Truth
The Hour of Truth (One-act play) About The Author - Percival Wilde - (1887-1953) Percival Wilde (1887-1953) was known for his plays and detective stories. This play is from the volume entitled "A Question of Morality and Other Plays". ... John wanted to know why he did not say the truth to the papers before. They had been asking him ...
THE HOUR OF TRUTH
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The Hour of Truth
The Hour of Truth. Percival Wild's play, "The Hour of Truth" is a striking psychological study on the corrupting influence of money on people. The plot of this play analyses 'greed' from different perspectives. The play shows how easily people forget their morals and values at the prospect of wealth. John Gresham, the president of a ...
The Hour of Truth Notes, Summary Plus Two English PDF
Martha is a character in one act Play The Hour of Truth by Percival savages. Martha is Baldwin's wife the hero of the play. She knitted them clothes when the play begins. Martha is proud of her honest husband. she supports her husband and his truthfulness at the beginning of the play.
12th English Guide Unit 3 Supplementary The Hour of Truth (Play)
Introduction. In 'The hour of truth', the integrity of Baldwin is the dominant trait around which the whole play is spun. This one- act play evidences his craftsmanship where the classical unites time, place and action were observed meticulously. The climax has an O. Henry twist and thus a surprising end.
The Hour of Truth
Compare and contrast the friendships as presented in the story 'Amigo Brothers' and the play 'The Hour of Truth'. (Hints : value friendship more - value principles more.) Score: 6 March 2020-----The dialogues of John, son of Robert Baldwin, at the beginning and in the middle of the play are given below:
"The Story of an Hour" Summary & Analysis
After her initial sobs of grief subside, Louise escapes into her bedroom and locks the door. She refuses to let Josephine or Richards follow her. Alone, she falls into a chair placed before an open window. Absolutely drained by her own anguish and haunted by exhaustion, she rests in the chair and looks out the window.
Of Truth by Francis Bacon Summary & Analysis
First, truth is acquired through hard work and man is ever reluctant to work hard. Secondly, truth curtails man's freedom. More than that the real reason of man's disliking to truth is that man is attached to lies which Bacon says "a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself.". Man loves falsehood because, Bacon says that truth is ...
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The Hour of Truth (Play) Summary in English. Introduction In 'The hour of truth', the integrity of Baldwin is the dominant trait around which the whole play is spun. This one-act play evidences his craftsmanship where the classical unites time, place, and action were observed meticulously. The climax has an O. Henry twist and thus a ...
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Explanation. Undoubtedly, people do make very sincere and strenuous attempts to discover 'truth'. They succeed, but regrettably, they find the burden and demands of 'truth' to be unbearable. Expediently, they abandon the pursuit of 'truth', and drift towards 'lies' knowingly very well that resorting to 'lies' is degrading.
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Of Truth by Francis Bacon. In this famous essay, Bacon demonstrates his profound observation of human beings with a particular emphasis on truth. Bacon asserts in this article that truth is the highest value for humans. He refers to the pursuit of truth as wooing it, knowledge of truth as being present with it, and belief in truth as enjoying it.
"Of truth" by Francis Bacon
But, howsoever these things are thus in men's depraved judgments, and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself, teacheth that the inquiry of truth, which is the love-making, or wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature.
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The Story of an Hour Full Text
The Story of an Hour. Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death. It was her sister Josephine who told her, in broken sentences; veiled hints that revealed in half concealing. Her husband's friend Richards was there, too, near her.
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Bacon uses an aphoristic style in the essay. An aphoristic style means conveying complex and deep ideas in just a few words. Bacon uses this method in his essays, including "Of Truth", "Of Love", "Of Studies", and others. For instance, the statement from "Of Truth", "But it is not only the difficulty and labor, which men take in finding out the truth, nor again, that when it ...
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The Hour of Truth Short Summary by Percival Wilde 12th English

Introduction

Wait for Robert Baldwin

Robert Appears

Robert Gets Angry

The Hour of Truth Notes, Summary Plus Two English PDF

Kerala Syllabus Plus Two English Notes Unit II Chapter 3 The Hour of Truth (One-act play)

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Unit 3 Challenges of Life

Unit 4 Live and Let Live

Unit 5 The Lighter Side

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12th English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 The Hour of Truth (Play)

(a) We judge people around us, based on their qualities and actions. We brand some people as good and some bad. What qualities, do you think, characterise a gentleman? Some of them may be merely external and some others internal

(b) When we see a few coins scattered on the ground, we would probably pick them up on the sly or walk away ignoring them. What if it was an envelope full of 2000 bills? How are people likely to react in such a situation?

12th English The Hour of Truth (Play) Textual Questions

2. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.

(b) What made Martha withdraw her money from the bank?

(c) How is Martha’s strong conviction in Baldwin’s integrity revealed?

(d) What had Donovan told John?

(e) John feels Gresham deserves punishment. Why?

(f) What was Baldwin’s advice to Gresham?

(g) What did Gresham want Baldwin to do?

(h) Explain the significance of the words ‘I don’t remember’.

(i) Why does John turn wild on hearing that Gresham had offered his father money?

(j) When would Baldwin part company with Gresham?

(k) What does John consider ‘a technicality’?

(l) Why was John filled with shame?

(m) How much did Gresham offer to pay Baldwin for saving his skin and how did he justify that?

(n) What was Mr. Marshall’s offer to Baldwin?

(o) How was Baldwin’s honesty rewarded?

3. Based on your understanding of the play, complete the Graphic Organiser given below.

4. Answer in a paragraph of about 150 words each.

(b) How did Martha and John react when they came to know that Baldwin had rejected the generous offer made by Gresham?

(c) Is Baldwin really honest or does he maintain his honesty fearing criticism? Why do you say so?

(d) Sketch the character of:

(ii) John Gresham:

(e) Who do you think exhibits true friendship-Baldwin or Gresham? Justify your answer.

Additional Questions

Speaking Activity

(b) ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’. Does this hold good in all situations? Share your views with your class.

The Hour of Truth (Play) About The Author

The Hour of Truth (Play) Summary in English

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