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.

What an absurdity to go and bury oneself in South America, where they are always having revolutions.

A woman who doesn't lie is a woman without imagination and without sympathy.

I don't think necessity is the mother of invention. Invention, in my opinion, arises directly from idleness, possibly also from laziness - to save oneself trouble.

When a man is really in love he can't help looking like a sheep.

There is no question of defence. I have always acted in accordance with the dictates of my conscience. I have nothing with which to reproach myself.

You want beauty,' said Hercules Poirot. 'Beauty at any price. For me, it is truth. I want always truth.