Agatha Christie quotes

“You gave too much rein to your imagination. Imagination is a good servant, and a bad master. The simplest explanation is always the most likely.”

— Spoken by a character · V. “IT ISN’T STRYCHNINE, IS IT?”

Everything must be taken into account. If the fact will not fit the theory—let the theory go.

— Spoken by a character · V. “IT ISN’T STRYCHNINE, IS IT?”

“Every murderer is probably somebody’s old friend,” observed Poirot philosophically.

— Poirot · XI. THE CASE FOR THE PROSECUTION

“Instinct is a marvellous thing,” mused Poirot. “It can neither be explained nor ignored.”

— Spoken by a character · VIII. FRESH SUSPICIONS

An appreciative listener is always stimulating, and I described, in a humorous manner, certain incidents of my Convalescent Home, in a way which, I flatter myself, greatly amused my hostess.

when you find that people are not telling you the truth—look out!

— Poirot · VII. POIROT PAYS HIS DEBTS

This affair must all be unravelled from within.” He tapped his forehead. “These little grey cells. It is ‘up to them’—as you say over here.

— Spoken by a character · X. THE ARREST

“Real evidence is usually vague and unsatisfactory. It has to be examined—sifted. But here the whole thing is cut and dried. No, my friend, this evidence has been very cleverly manufactured—so cleverly that it has defeated its own ends.”

— Poirot · VII. POIROT PAYS HIS DEBTS

The happiness of one man and one woman is the greatest thing in all the world.

— Poirot · XIII. POIROT EXPLAINS

“I did not deceive you, mon ami. At most, I permitted you to deceive yourself.”

— Spoken by a character · XIII. POIROT EXPLAINS

Understand this, I mean to arrive at the truth. The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to the seeker after it.

— Poirot · XII. ROUND THE TABLE

Women observe subconsciously a thousand little details, without knowing that they are doing so. Their subconscious mind adds these little things together—and they call the result intuition.

— Spoken by a character · XIII. THE GOOSE QUILL

Every new development that arises is like the shake you give to a kaleidoscope—the thing changes entirely in aspect.

— Spoken by a character · XX. MISS RUSSELL

Fortunately words, ingeniously used, will serve to mask the ugliness of naked facts.

Everything is simple, if you arrange the facts methodically.

— Spoken by a character · VII. I LEARN MY NEIGHBOR’S PROFESSION

The chains of habit. We work to attain an object, and the object gained, we find that what we miss is the daily toil.

— Spoken by a character · III. THE MAN WHO GREW VEGETABLE MARROWS

What one does not tell to Papa Poirot he finds out.

— Spoken by a character · XIX. FLORA ACKROYD

It is well at any price to have peace in the home.

“Oh! money! All the troubles in the world can be put down to money—or the lack of it.”

— Spoken by a character · X. THE PARLORMAID

“Never worry about what you say to a man. They’re so conceited that they never believe you mean it if it’s unflattering.”

— Caroline · XXII. URSULA’S STORY

I do not argue with obstinate men. I act in spite of them.

— Poirot · 27. Interview with Mirelle

A man when he is making up to anybody can be cordial and gallant and full of little attentions and altogether charming. But when a man is really in love he can't help looking like a sheep.

— Spoken by a character · 30. Miss Viner Gives Judgment

I never prophesy," he declared pompously. "It is true that I have the habit of being always right--but I do not boast of it.

— Spoken by a character · 10. On the Blue Train

Never tell all you know--not even to the person you know best.

— Spoken by a character · XV. TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL

That’s the curious part about speaking the truth. No one does believe it.

— Tuppence · III. A SET BACK

Youth is a failing only too easily outgrown.

— Spoken by a character · XII. A FRIEND IN NEED

It is curious--but you cannot make a revolution without honest men.

— Spoken by a character · VIII. THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY

A diary is useful for recording the idiosyncrasies of other people—but not one’s own.

— Spoken by a character · Chapter XIII

I had the firm conviction that, if I went about looking for adventure, adventure would meet me halfway. It is a theory of mine that one always gets what one wants.

'He laughs best who laughs at the end'?

— Spoken by a character · 9. THE YELLOW JASMINE MYSTERY

Meanwhile we have learnt something, and to know is to be prepared.

— Spoken by a character · 14. THE PEROXIDE BLONDE

"Very difficult, mon ami. But, as you know well, difficulties rejoice the heart of Hercule Poirot."

— Spoken by a character · 6. THE WOMAN ON THE STAIRS

“what a lot of funny people it does take to make a world.”

— Anthony · 1. Anthony Cade Signs on

There’s always a way out,” said Anthony gloomily. “I’ve a theory that one can always get anything one wants if one will pay the price. And do you know what the price is, nine times out of ten? Compromise.

— Anthony · 22. The Red Signal

"It's a rotten job, but somebody's got to do it."

— Ronny · III. THE JOKE THAT FAILED

One must have consideration for those less gifted than oneself.

— Spoken by a character · V. The Million Dollar Bond Robbery

With method and logic one can accomplish anything!

— Spoken by a character · VIII. The Kidnapped Prime Minister

Because uncertainty creates panic.

— Spoken by a character · VIII. The Kidnapped Prime Minister