The people who lie the most are nearly always the clumsiest at it, and they're easier to fool with lies than most people, too. You'd think they'd be on the look-out for lies, but they seem to be the very ones that will believe almost anything at all.

Yes,' Spade growled. 'And when you're slapped you'll take it and like it.' He released Cairo's wrist and with a thick open hand struck the side of his face three times savagely.

Nora said: 'I love you, Nicky, because you smell nice and know such fascinating people.

...What disturbed him was the discovery that in sensibly ordering his affairs he had got out of step, and not into step, with Life.

You got to look on the bright side, even if there ain't one.

The roof might fall in; anything could happen.

I couldn't be fonder of you if you were my own son. But, well, if you lose a son, its possible to get another. There's only one Maltese Falcon.