SIR POLITICK
Pity his ignorance.
They are the only knowing men of Europe!
Great general scholars, excellent physicians,
Most admired statesmen, professed favorites,
And cabinet counsellors to the greatest princes;
The only languaged men of all the world!
PEREGRINE
And, I have heard, they are most lewd imposters;
Made all of terms and shreds; no less beliers
Of great men's favors, than their own vile med'cines;
Which they will utter upon monstrous oaths;
Selling that drug for twopence, ere they part,
Which they have valued at twelve crowns before.
SIR POLITICK
Sir, calumnies are answered best with silence. . . .

In this exchange between Sir Politick Would-be and Peregrine, Ben Jonson humorously exposes the absurdity of self-delusion and the gullibility of society. Sir Politick extols the virtues of mountebanks, attributing to them the lofty roles of scholars and statesmen, while Peregrine counters with a more skeptical view, suggesting that these figures are nothing more than deceitful tricksters. The irony lies in Sir Politick's unshakeable faith, which blinds him to the possibility of being duped. His assertion that "calumnies are answered best with silence" reflects a complacent acceptance of falsehoods, emphasizing the theme of deception in "Volpone." Ultimately, Jonson invites audiences to question blind faith in authority and the superficial glories of reputation, underscoring the play’s critique of greed and hypocrisy.