People can be induced to swallow anything, provided it is sufficiently seasoned with praise. - Molière

Géronte
Monsieur, c'est là sa maladie. Elle est devenue muette, sans que jusques ici on en ait pu savoir la cause : et c'est un accident qui a fait reculer son mariage.
Sganarelle
Et pourquoi ?
Géronte
Celui qu'elle doit épouser veut attendre sa guérison pour conclure les choses.
Sganarelle
Et qui est ce sot-là, qui ne veut pas que sa femme soit muette ? Plût à Dieu que la mienne eût cette maladie ! je me garderais bien de la vouloir guérir.

Good Heaven, friend, do not trouble yourself. He will be a clever man who catches me in this way. I know all the cunning tricks and subtle devices which women use to deceive us, and how one is fooled by their dexterity, and I have taken precautions against this mischance. She whom I am marrying possesses all the innocence which may protect my forehead from evil influence.

Is there another city in the world where husbands are so patient as here? Do we not meet with them in every variety, and well provided with everything? One heaps up wealth, which his wife shares with those who are eager to make him a dupe; another, slightly more fortunate, but not less infamous, sees his wife receive presents day after day, and is not troubled in mind by any jealous twinge when she tells him that they are the rewards of virtue. One makes a great noise, which does him not the slightest good; another lets matters take their course in all meekness, and, seeing the gallant arrive at his house, very politely takes up his gloves and his cloak. One married woman cunningly pretends to make a confident of her confiding husband, who slumbers securely under such a delusion, and pities the gallant for his pains, which, however, the latter does not throw away. Another married woman, to account for her extravagance, says that the money she spends has been won at play; and the silly husband, without considering at what play, thanks Heaven for her winnings.