exaggerate

“My dear fellow, you exaggerate.

My good qualities are under your protection, and you are to exaggerate them as much as possible; and, in return, it belongs to me to find occasions for teasing and quarrelling with you as often as may be; and I shall begin directly, by asking you what made you so unwilling to come to the point at last?

“My very good friend and excellent neighbor,” replied the count, with a smile, “you really exaggerate my trifling exertions.

“Nevertheless, you must not exaggerate the evil,” said Monte Cristo, “for by endeavoring to avoid one fault you will fall into another.