Final answer:
Hale urges Elizabeth to convince John to confess because he believes that life is a precious gift from God that should not be surrendered for any principle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote from Hale that reveals his reasoning for begging Elizabeth to convince John to confess is "Life, woman, life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it." This line from Arthur Miller's play 'The Crucible' demonstrates Hale's belief that preserving one's life is more important than maintaining moral integrity or adherence to principles, even in the face of false accusations of witchcraft. He suggests that life itself holds intrinsic value that outweighs any principle.