I, myself, was always recognized . . . as the “slow one” in the family. It was quite true, and I knew it and accepted it. Writing and spelling were always terribly difficult for me. My letters were without originality. I was . . . an extraordinarily bad speller and have remained so until this day.

An ugly voice repels me where an ugly face would not.

Elephants can remember, but we are human beings and mercifully human beings can forget.

Speech ... is an invention of man's to prevent him from thinking.

There are more important things than finding the murderer. And justice is a fine word, but it is sometimes difficult to say exactly what one means by it. In my opinion, the important thing is to clear the innocent. - Hercule Poirot

But no artist, I now realize, can be satisfied with art alone. There is a natural craving for recognition which cannot be gain-said.

Best of an island is once you get there - you can't go any farther...you've come to the end of things.