Poirot Quotes

“I do not argue with obstinate men. I act in spite of them.”
― Agatha Christie, The Mystery of the Blue Train

“Everyone is a potential murderer-in everyone there arises from time to time the wish to kill-though not the will to kill.”
― Agatha Christie, Curtain

“It is the brain, the little gray cells on which one must rely. One must seek the truth within--not without." ~ Poirot”
― Agatha Christie

“You've a pretty good nerve," said Ratchett. "Will twenty thousand dollars tempt you?"

It will not."

If you're holding out for more, you won't get it. I know what a thing's worth to me."

I, also M. Ratchett."

What's wrong with my proposition?"

Poirot rose. "If you will forgive me for being personal - I do not like your face, M. Ratchett," he said.”
― Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express

“Sometimes I feel sure he is as mad as a hatter and then, just as he is at his maddest, I find there is a method in his madness.”
― Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles

“At the small table, sitting very upright, was one of the ugliest old ladies he had ever seen. It was an ugliness of distinction - it fascinated rather than repelled.”
― Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express

“Poirot said placidly, “One does not, you know, employ merely the muscles. I do not need to bend and measure the footprints and pick up the cigarette ends and examine the bent blades of grass. It is enough for me to sit back in my chair and think. It is this – ” he tapped his egg-shaped head – “this, that functions!”
― Agatha Christie, Five Little Pigs

“Trains are relentless things, aren't they, Monsieur Poirot? People are murdered and die, but they go on just the same. I am talking nonsense, but you know what I mean."
"Yes, yes, I know. Life is like a train, Mademoiselle. It goes on. And it is a good thing that that is so."
"Why?"
"Because the train gets to its journey's end at last, and there is a proverb about that in your language, Mademoiselle."
"'Journey's end in lovers meeting.'" Lenox laughed. "That is not going to be true for me."
"Yes--yes, it is true. You are young, younger than you yourself know. Trust the train, Mademoiselle, for it is le bon Dieu who drives it."
The whistle of the engine came again.
"Trust the train, Mademoiselle," murmured Poirot again. "And trust Hercule Poirot. He knows.”
― Agatha Christie, The Mystery of the Blue Train

“The world is full of good people who do bad things!”
― Agatha Christie

“There is no telling what a human character is. Until the test comes. To most of us the test comes early in life. A man is confronted quite soon with the necessity to stand on his own feet, to face dangers and difficulties and to take his own line of dealing with them. It may be the straight way, it may be the crooked way --- whichever it is, a man usually learns early just what he is made of.”
― agatha Christie

“But Aunt Maureen makes smashing omelettes." Julia Upjohn.

"She makes smashing omelettes." Poirot's voice was happy. He sighed.

"Then Hercule Poirot has not lived in vain, he said. It was I who taught your Aunt Maureen to make an omelette.”
― Agatha Christie, Cat Among the Pigeons

“Do you believe in the value of truth, my dear, or don’t you?”

“Of course I believe in the truth,” said Rhoda, staring.

“Yes, you say that, but perhaps you haven’t thought about it. The truth hurts sometimes – and destroys one’s illusions.”

“I’d rather have it all the same.” said Rhoda.

“So would I. But I don’t know that we’re wise.”
― Agatha Christie, Cards on the Table

“A statesman in these days has a difficult task. He has to pursue the policy he deems advantageous to his country, but he has at the same time to recognize the force of popular feeling. Popular feeling is very often sentimental, muddleheaded, and eminently unsound, but it cannot be disregarded for all that.”
― Agatha Christie, Murder in the Mews

“What one does not tell to Papa Poirot he finds out.”
― Agatha Christie, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

“Miss Bulstrode had another faculty which demonstrated her superiority over most other women. She could listen.”
― Agatha Christie, Cat Among the Pigeons

“My dear Poirot, it's not for me to dictate to you. You have a right to your own opinion, just as I have mine.”
― Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles

“Don't you know, you idiot, that that is what every fool of a woman says about her child?
Miss Bulstrode's thoughts.”
― Agatha Christie, Cat Among the Pigeons

“Hercule Poirot spread out his hands in his most foreign manner.”
― Agatha Christie, Cards on the Table

“Well,” said Adam, as Poirot went out. “First girls’ knees, and now draughtsmanship! What next, I wonder!”
― Agatha Christie, Cat Among the Pigeons

“Excuse me, Monsieur Poirot. If you'd like to ask any questions, I'm sure the doctor wouldn't mind.

Of course not. Of course not. Great admirer of yours, Monsieur Poirot. Little gray cells -- order and method. I know all about it.”
― Agatha Christie, Cards on the Table

“Mas não tão inteligente quanto Hercule Poirot!”
― Agatha Christie

“I don't think. I know.”
― Agatha Christie

“The machine, mon ami, wears or. One cannot, alas, install the new engine and continue to run as before like a motor car.”
― Agatha Christie, Curtain

“But rest assured, my indications will lead you to the truth.” He paused.
Then he said: “And perhaps, then, you would wish that they had not led you
so far. You would say instead: 'Ring down the curtain.”
― Agatha Christie, Curtain / Sleeping Murder

“There was a moment’s pause and Harrison drew himself up. There was a new dignity in his face—the look of a man who has conquered his own baser self. He stretched out his hand across the table.”
― Agatha Christie, Wasps' Nest: a Hercule Poirot Short Story

“Softly unbolting the door, he stuck the cat’s head round the edge and ejaculated a piercing "Miaow."

The Scotland Yard inspector, who was standing outside with another man, jumped in spite of himself.”
― Agatha Christie, The Adventure of the Cheap Flat: a Hercule Poirot Short Story

“Such a one is encased, is he not, in an armour—such an armour! The armour of the crusaders was nothing to it—an armour of arrogance, of pride, of complete self-esteem. This armour, it is in some ways a protection, the arrows, the everyday arrows of life glance off it. But there is this danger; Sometimes a man in armour might not even know he was being attacked. He will be slow to see, slow to hear—slower still to feel.”
― Agatha Christie, Dead Man's Mirror: a Hercule Poirot Short Story

“[...] Because, in all this house of mourning, yours are the only eyes that have wept.”
― Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles / Poirot Investigates

“I am a very bad friend.'
'Why do you say that?'
'Because it is true. I am charming to my friends one day, and forget all about them the next.”
― Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles

“[...] Still, it's rather horrid when no one loves you, isn't it?”
― Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles