The Miser Manipulation Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"Gentlemen, it only remains for you to put your heads together. You are now in complete agreement. If you were at daggers drawn, it was all because you were failing to understand each other." (4.4.29)

Master Jacques is one of the most prolific manipulators in this play, but he doesn't really do it that well. He misleadingly tells Cléante and Harpagon that they agree with each other, even it's obvious that they will figure out the truth in less than a minute.

Quote #8

"Your father's strong-box. I've pinched it!" (4.6.9)

La Flèche isn't all that interested in Harpagon's money until the old man starts to get on his nerves. Then, La Fléche decides that he's going to steal the old man's money simply out of spite. The theft will come in handy, since this moneybox will eventually be Cléante's trump card in blackmailing Harpagon.

Quote #9

"Oh, if you're going by size, it was a small one. When I said it was big, I was going by what was in it." (5.2.41)

Master Jacques lies about seeing Valère steal Harpagon's moneybox in order to get revenge for an earlier beat-down. But when it comes time for him to actually describe the moneybox, he stumbles and makes a fool of himself. That's what he gets for being a substandard manipulator.