O grace! O heaven forgive me!
Are you a man? have you a soul or sense?
God be wi’ you; take mine office. O wretched fool.
That livest to make thine honesty a vice!
O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world
To be direct and honest is not safe.
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 3, Scene 3. When Othello threatens death and damnation over Iago’s suggestions about Desdemona’s infidelity, Iago goes straight into full manipulation and deception mode. Calling on heaven to forgive him, the devilish Iago questions Othello’s manhood. He feigns surprise at Othello’s reaction, pretends to quit as his lieutenant, and plays victim by saying it is dangerous to be honest. It is ironic of Iago to claim he is "direct and honest" to Othello when he is lying about Desdemona’s cheating.