Quotes from Agatha Christie

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

A meal should always lie lightly on the estomac," said Poirot. "It should not be so heavy as to paralyze thought.

Uncertainty creates panic.

Expect me when you see me.

One's body is a nuisance, M. Poirot, especially when it gets the upper hand. One is conscious of nothing else-- whether the pain will hold off or not--nothing else seems to matter.

Good morning, mademoiselle. Yes, it is as you say. You now behold a detective—a great detective, I may say—in the act of detecting!

Pardon, monsieur, for interrupting, but was that a common practice of his?" "No, it was not, but old Françoise has the common idea as regards the English—that they are mad, and liable to do the most unaccountable things at any moment!

What made Lady Angkatell dangerous, he thought, was the fact that those intuitive, wild guesses of hers might be often right. With a careless (seemingly careless?) word she built up a picture - and if parts of the picture was right, wouldn't you, in spite of yourself, believe in the other half of the picture?...

You are a philosopher mademoiselle. This implies a detached attitude. I think my attitude is more selfish. I have learned to save myself from useless emotion.

One could write a play about such an idea." "It has been done," said Poirot. "But console yourself, Hastings," he added kindly. "Because a theme has been used once, there is no reason why it should not be used again. Compose your drama.

The popular idea that a child forgets easily is not an accurate one. Many people go right through life in the grip of an idea which has been impressed on them in very tender years.

Qué tontas somos las mujeres! Siempre lo he pensado. Supongo que ahora dormiré con su retrato debajo de la almohada y soñaré toda la noche con él. Es terrible ver que una no es fiel a sus principio.

The things that are worthwhile are usually accomplished by someone with enthusiasm and drive...

In fact there is only your own instinct? Not instinct, Hastings. Instinct is a bad word. It is my knowledge-my experience-that tells me that something about that letter is wrong-

I think somebody deliberately wanted to frighten her.

he said "I simply can't believe it, that's all." "Oh, nonsense," said Jimmy. "You must get into the habit of believing six impossible things before breakfast...

I told you there was nothing to it," said Arbuthnot apologetically. "But you know what it is—early hours of the morning—everything very still—the thing had a sinister look—like a detective story. All nonsense, really.

And anyway who the devil should I want to murder?" "That would be a very good question," said Miss Marple. "I have not yet had the pleasure of sufficient conversation with you to evolve a theory as to that." Mr. Rafter's smile broadened. "Conversations with you might be dangerous," he said. "Conversations are always dangerous, if you have something to hide," said Miss Marple.

Surely, I thought, in a world where man has been able to put satellites in the sky and where men talk big about visiting the stars, there must be something that rouses you, that makes your heart beat, that's worthwhile searching all over the world to find!

Wherever there is human nature, there is drama. But — it is not always just where you think it is. Remember that.

Those words of hers had meant nothing - you could not dismiss [however] a human being so easily.

But it wasn't really scandals Miss Marple wanted. Nothing to get your teeth into in scandals nowadays. Just men and women changing partners, and calling attention to it, instead of trying decently to hush it up and be properly ashamed of themselves.

I don't like anyone who comes and dies in my house on purpose to annoy me," said Lord Caterham obstinately.

O maid most dear, I am not here. I have no place, no part, No dwelling more by sea nor shore, But only in thy heart.