How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"According to one chap, you once had the law on a neighbour's cat for eating up the leftovers from a leg of mutton." (3.1.78)
The stories about Harpagon border on the ridiculous: like the time the old man tried to get a cat arrested for eating some of his meat. But hey, Harpagon is ridiculous, and these stories might very well be true. They also just go to show how little respect people have for the guy.
Quote #8
"You're a figure of fun, a by-word for everybody and no one refers to you by your name: they all call you a miser, a cheap skate, a skinflint, a tight-fisted old shark." (3.1.78)
Harpagon has such a bad reputation and so little respect in people's eyes that his name has become a sort of shorthand for miserliness. In other words, if someone cheated you out of money, you'd be liable to say, "Aw shucks, I got totally Harpagoned on that one."
Quote #9
"I knew this would happen but you wouldn't believe me. I said you'd see red if I told you the truth." (3.1.80)
Even before he told Harpagon the truth about what people think of him, Jacques knew that he'd end up getting thrashed for his honesty. The sad thing is that he's the only person in this play who's actually looking out for Harpagon's reputation. But all he gets for his trouble is punishment.