Portrait of Noël Coypel

Robert Macaire, business agent. Yesterday I made a mistake when I said that your business is in good shape. It's detestable. The government owes you five hundred thousand francs, it's true, but the debt hasn't been recognized, there's a forfeiture today, you won't have a penny. However, come to think of it, there's Mr. de St. Bertrand, a rich capitalist, an imbecile, sell him your interests for a hundred crowns, that'll be a splendid deal... (aside) and not expensive.

When you Left your Repast to Remove the Dead, to Conceal them in your House, and Bury them at Night, I Offered your Prayer to the Lord

Yes sir, in exchange for a small premium with our insurance, you can be assured for death....for death in a proper gentlemanly manner. When you go off in a fine hearse, very comfortable, to be mourned by the poor people of the district, and leaving an inconsolable widow in golden letters on your grave.... - And if you don't keep your promises? - Then you can still give us a receipt and sue us before a tribunal.

Remember those who are Imprisoned, as if you were Imprisoned with Them

Delighted to find himself on show, the original takes his wife to the exhibition, and places her before his image to enjoy the opinion of the crowd. - Look, some say, it's the Chinese commissioner Lin! - No, others say, don't you see, it's natural history! - It's... resumes one gentleman in possession of the catalogue, it's the portrait of Mr. D..... insurance broker: - Oh well, with a bonce like that he doesn't need to insure himself, he'll not easily be snatched up. (Madame, his wife, leaves exceedingly flattered)

Do not be Lazy in Visiting the Sick, for it is Thus that you Assert yourself in Charity

The Adoption. - Well, really! Robert, my friend, so you are becoming a family man. You're considering adoption?... You will soon crown the maidens at the village fair... (Robert)- Yes, I adopted this child. I want to thrive in the joys of family life... (Wormspire) - You want to marry your ward... - Yes, I want her to get married. Yes, get her married to a rich man, prepare for my retirement. - Prepare for your retirement... get enough money for old age and win the Monthion prize... I know, I know!

Bring into your House the Poor and Those who are Cast Out

The other day, I pulled off another smart trick... I had set up a firm with a capital of ten million francs to exploit top boots in cardboard ... I had placed only eight shares worth a petty 1200 francs... I called together my eight shareholders and held forth in something like the following manner: "Ah! Good-day ye strolling gentlemen, how handsome you are, how fine you seem!" I promised them more cheese than bread, I gave them a 50% dividend, I warmed them up a bit and let them simmer... The following day they couldn't get hold of my shares fast enough, I placed all of them and at the next meeting I said: "The last time I did the books I made a mistake. I forgot to take into account the price of the cardboard and its fabrication. You must return the dividend I gave you, I'm going to hold it back... I put down nothing and kept back the r

Go Before Those Who are Thirsty and Bring Them Water

See him strut with such a style - you'd swear he was an officer of the artillery, and that he was cut out for a great lawyer or powerful business man.