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Downstairs in the lounge, by the third pillar from the left, there sits an old lady with a sweet, placid, spinsterish face and a mind that has plumbed the depths of human iniquity and taken it all as in the day's work....where crime is concerned, she's the goods.
Agatha Christie
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the complexity of human nature and the perception of morality.

Agatha Christie's quote presents a character who embodies both innocence and profound understanding of human wrongdoing. This juxtaposition highlights that individuals can appear serene on the surface while possessing deep insight into the darker aspects of human behavior, suggesting that one's exterior may not fully represent their inner knowledge and experiences.

Themes

Human NatureMoralityUnderstandingInnocenceCrime

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the duality of human nature, this quote can provide insight into how appearances can be deceiving.

More from Agatha Christie

Poirot," I said. "I have been thinking." "An admirable exercise my friend. Continue it.
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Best of an island is once you get there - you can't go any farther...you've come to the end of things.
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Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody.
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I have wanted . . . to commit a murder myself. I recognized this as the desire of the artist to express himself! . . . But-incongruous as it may seem to some-I was restrained and hampered by my innate sense of justice. The innocent must not suffer.
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Sitting here with one's knitting, one just sees the facts. -"The Blood-Stained Pavement
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No, my friend, I am not drunk. I have just been to the dentist, and need not return for another six months! Is it not the most beautiful thought? --Poirot
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