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)
Here's another case of totally illogical moral arguments. Think of it this way: by giving the documents to Tartuffe, Orgon's actually doing more to hide the documents from the King – or so he thinks.