The Mystery of Three Quarters (New Hercule Poirot Mysteries, #3)

by Sophie Hannah

One ought to be able to brush the untruths aside, but somehow they take hold of the mind and cause a spectral form of guilt—like a ghost in the head, or in the conscience!

When there was no other pleasure to be taken from a situation, one might as well enjoy being correct,

“I am glad to hear that, mademoiselle. If you will allow Poirot to offer you a piece of wise advice: the pursuit of revenge is rarely a good idea.” “Neither’s sitting around twiddling your thumbs when folks have made off with what’s rightfully yours,” said Fee decisively. “What I want from you’s the help I’ve asked for, not advice I didn’t asked for.”

It would make him look ludicrous in his own eyes, which would be intolerable to him.”

One must stick by one’s principles or else the fabric of society crumbles.

“Grandy thought I hid away with animals because I couldn’t hold my own with people. Maybe he was right. I do think animals are less bothersome than people, and they’re certainly more loyal. They love one in spite of one’s flaws.

‘There is a difference, Peter, between an unforgivable act and a person of unforgivable character. What matters is not what people have done but who they are. A chap might put not a foot wrong his entire life, and do nothing outward to which the world would vociferously object, yet he might be rotten to the core.’”

He realized, perhaps, that the very worst sin of all is the inability to forgive the sins of others.

I concern myself only with bringing to light the facts of the case, and securing the guilty verdict for the criminal, not with the punishment that follows. I leave such considerations to a higher authority. The truth has been recognized, in a court of law—that is what matters.”