Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false;
As where’s that palace whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,
But some uncleanly apprehensions
Keep leets and law-days and in session sit
With meditations lawful?
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 3, Scene 3. Iago, the ultimate master of the art of manipulation, says this to Othello when he demands that Iago reveal his thoughts. Hesitating to speak them openly, Iago claims to worry that what he is thinking (about Cassio’s improper behavior with Desdemona) might be "vile and false." Ironically his thoughts are just that, nothing but a fabrication. Iago is using evasion, pretence of modesty and power of suggestion to make his lies appear credible to a gullible Othello.