Literary notes about Perjure (AI summary)
The word "perjure" in literature is often used to evoke a deep sense of betrayal and moral compromise. In early sociological reflections, as seen in Burgess and Park's work, perjury is a deliberate, almost sacrilegious violation of one’s personal honor [1]. Chekhov, meanwhile, suggests that an untrustworthy character might be prone not only to theft and murder but also to perjuring himself [2], while Sinclair Lewis’s terse dialogue reduces it to a striking, almost absurd notion of dishonesty [3]. Proust softens the impact by linking the concept to personal symbols of honor [4], yet in the writings of Abelard and Heloïse, perjury becomes a profound violation of grace itself [5]. Victor Hugo, addressing political and social transgressions, employs the term to question the legitimacy of actions that betray the very laws and ethics of society [6].
- If circumstances compel you to perjure yourself, why swear on the head of your son, when there is a Brāhman handy?
— from Introduction to the Science of Sociology by E. W. Burgess and Robert Ezra Park - Glancing at his face, Vassiliev had the idea that a fellow with a face like that could steal and murder and perjure.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - “And perjure yourself?” “Huh?
— from Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis - " "Can you swear it to me on your Laghetto medal?" Swann knew that Odette would never perjure herself on that.
— from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust - Grace had overtaken me, and I had promised to be faithful to it, but I now perjure myself, and sacrifice even grace to Abelard .
— from Letters of Abelard and Heloise by Peter Abelard and Héloïse - To violate every law, to perjure oneself, to strangle Right, to assassinate the country, are all these proceedings wholly honest?
— from The History of a Crime by Victor Hugo
