How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Scene.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used Richard Wilbur's translation.
Quote #10
Orgon:
"These papers vexed my conscience, and it seemed best
To ask the counsel of my pious guest.
The cunning scoundrel got me to agree
To leave the strong-box in his custody,
So that, in case of an investigation,
I could employ a slight equivocation
And swear I didn't have it, and thereby,
At no expense to conscience tell a lie." (5.1.8)
Orgon's logic is hopelessly…illogical. After all, a "slight equivocation" is a still a lie. Furthermore, as long as he knows where the documents are, he still has them for all intents and purposes.