I am not one to rely upon the expert procedure. It is the psychology I seek, not the fingerprint or the cigarette ash.

Where do one's fears come from? Where do they shape themselves? Where do they hide before coming out into the open?

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.

how tedious is retirement! You cannot imagine to yourself the monotony with which day comes after day.

The point is that one's got an instinct to live. One doesn't live because one's reason assents to living. People who, as we say, 'would be better dead' don't want to die! People who apparently have everything to live for just let themselves fade out of life because they haven't got the energy to fight.

Many homicidal lunatics are very quiet, unassuming people. Delightful fellows.

The simplest explanation is always the most likely.