Quotes

Hercule Poirot: [thinking as he walks through the train towards the bar car] My Dear Colonel Armstrong, finally, I can answer your letter, at least with the thoughts in my head and the feeling in my heart that somewhere you can hear me. I have now discovered the truth of the case and it is profoundly disturbing. I have seen the fracture of the human soul. So many broken lives, so much pain and anger giving way to the poison of deep grief, until one crime became many. I have always wanted to believe that man is rational and civilized. My very existence depends upon this hope, upon order and method and the little grey cells... but now perhaps I am asked... to listen instead... to my heart.

[pauses]

Hercule Poirot: [addressing the passengers in the bar car] Ladies and gentlemen, I have understood in this case that the scales of justice... cannot always be evenly weighed. And I must learn for once, to live with the imbalance. There are no killers here, only people who deserve a chance to heal. The police have accepted my first solution to the crime: the lone assassin who made his escape. I will leave the train here to conclude formalities. You are all free to go. May you find your peace with this... May we all.

[exits train]

British Military Escort: How did you know it was him, sir? From just a tiny crack on the wall?

Hercule Poirot: I have the advantage. I can only see the world as it should be. And when it is not the imperfection stands out like the nose in the middle of a face. It... it makes most of life unbearable, but it is useful in the detection of crime.

British Military Escort: But it's as though you see into their hearts and divine their true natures.

Hercule Poirot: And whatever people say, there is right, there is wrong. There is nothing in between.

Hercule Poirot: There was right. There was wrong. Now there is you. I cannot judge this. You must decide.

Hercule Poirot: My name is Hercule Poirot and I am probably the greatest detective in the world.

Hercule Poirot: I detect criminals. I do not protect them.

Pilar Estravados: Wine is where the devil finds his darlings.

Hercule Poirot: Have you ever been to America?

Edward Henry Masterman: Once. Years ago, briefly.

Hercule Poirot: For what purpose?

Edward Henry Masterman: To confirm a suspicion.

Hercule Poirot: Which was?

Edward Henry Masterman: That I wouldn't like it.

Hercule Poirot: I see evil on this train.

Hercule Poirot: You know, there is something about a tangle of strangers pressed together for days with nothing in common but the need to go from one place to another and never see each other again.

Hercule Poirot: Bring forth the accused. The Rabbi. The Priest. And the Imam. It is like the - eh - the old joke. Yes? The Rabbi, the Priest, and the Imam. Ma, non. Forgive me, I am Belgian.

Caroline Hubbard: I am looking forward to getting back. Travel is fine for spicy food, mosques, meeting men; but, eventually, you just miss your own bed.

Bouc: And yet, the best things on the train are not food. You know there's something about a tangle of strangers pressed together for days on end with nothing in common but the need to go from one place to another, then never to see each other again. Boredom plus anonymity plus a... constant gentle rocking.

Hercule Poirot: With your hobbies you will never amount to anything.

Bouc: God, I hope so. Hmm.

Miss Mary Debenham: To a man with a hammer, every problem is a nail. You live crime. You see evil every day.

Hercule Poirot: Not so. I see enough crime to know that the criminal act is the anomaly. I believe it takes a fracture of the soul to murder another human being.

Caroline Hubbard: I've been accused of - husband hunting abroad. And, I can't in all honesty deny it. I like my time alone. I do. I do! But, a lady has certain needs that deserve to be met, if she has any money, and, preferably on a regular basis.

Caroline Hubbard: I woke up in the dark and I knew there was a man in my room.

Hercule Poirot: You are certain it was a man?

Caroline Hubbard: I know what it feels like to have a man in my bedroom.

Caroline Hubbard: They're not killers. They're good people. They can be good again.

Edward Ratchett: Please tell me you didn't do this.

Edward Henry Masterman: If I were to leave something unpleasant on your pillow, sir, it would not be a letter.

Hercule Poirot: I am tired. I have earned myself a little holiday. I want to look at paintings and have too much time on my hands.

Edward Ratchett: They want their money back with interest, you know. Italians! A guinea's a guinea.

Hercule Poirot: I do not approve of murder, my friend. Every day we need people to work and to do better without; yet, we do not kill them. We must be better than the beasts. So, let us find this killer.

Caroline Hubbard: He made a rather overt overture.

Gerhard Hardman: You are one sharp knife. I give you that.

Miss Mary Debenham: [recognizes Poirot on a boat] I know your mustache... from the papers. You're the detective, Hercules Poirot?

Hercule Poirot: *Hercule* Poirot. I do not slay the lions.

Edward Ratchett: So, you say no to my dirty mind.

Hercule Poirot: I say no to you, Mr. Ratchett.

Edward Ratchett: Business with the gun, right? Is that what it was?

Hercule Poirot: It is far more personal than that. I do not like your face.

Biniamino Marquez: Listen, I wanna be clear of any association with the crime, so please ask me anything. Anything. I never lie anymore. I escaped prison, and I bribed myself into the US, where I swore never to lie or steal again. You see, my friends, when people trust you, they buy more.

Hercule Poirot: Miss Estravados, why do your hands have the calluses of a boxer?

Pilar Estravados: I do my work in dangerous cities where I cannot be governed by fear. I trained to fight.

Hercule Poirot: But you do not trust your god anymore since your 'surprise'?

Pilar Estravados: No, in case He is busy.

Hercule Poirot: God is always busy.

Hercule Poirot: I love the little cakes.

Edward Ratchett: Are you insulted?

Caroline Hubbard: Disappointed. Some men have a good look. All they have to do is keep their mouth shut - and they can take home any prize they want. Still, the mouth opens!

Hercule Poirot: I am at my happiest alone.

Bouc: You have to find who did this. Please, I implore you, on behalf of the Orient Express. When the police arrive, you present them with a case closed. You are the only one who can save me.

Hercule Poirot: You faith touches me, mon cher. But, I must have this rest.

Bouc: Well, think of it as a little beachside puzzle. That's nothing to your mind! You, you look up the antecedents of the passengers, you establish their bona fides and then you do what you do.

Bouc: If we leave this to the police, they will choose a culprit, right or wrong, and they will hang him. Which is probably Mr. Marquez for no other reason than his name is Marquez. Or, Dr. Hardman, if not for the color of his skin. - - You are the only one who can bring justice.

Hector MacQueen: Prohibition wasn't to my taste. So, I found myself overseas and in debt.

Hercule Poirot: You were fond of him?

Hector MacQueen: I was fond of his money.

Caroline Hubbard: I found it at the foot of my bed on the cover. Right where I slept. What do you call that?

Hercule Poirot: I call it evidence.

Pilar Estravados: There were indulgent times in my life. When I took more than I gave.

Princess Dragomiroff: God blessed me long life; but, cursed me with a bad back to make it miserable.

Hercule Poirot: Sir, I need you pass key immediately. We need to find a uniform and a red kimono!

Hercule Poirot: You must have worked very hard to become a doctor. Not many of your race are allowed the opportunity.

Dr. Arbuthnot: Middlesex Medical College permits one, per class. I had the honor in '24.

Countess Elena Andrenyi: You are funny looking, Monsieur Poirot. Why are detectives so funny looking?

Hercule Poirot: You are a dancer, like your husband?

Countess Elena Andrenyi: No. Not like my husband... He is touched by angels, I've been shoved by passion and hard work to become adequate.

Gerhard Hardman: I'm sorry about the colored folks cracks. Hell, I'm half a Heb myself.

Hercule Poirot: Monsieur Bouc!

Bouc: Poirot! In the kitchen! Well, of course, this man will sniff out a perfect pastry faster than he catches a jewel thief.