Quotes by : Dashiell Hammett

The people who lie the most are nearly always the clumsiest at it, and they're easier to fool with lies....

Joel Cairo: You always have a very smooth explanation ready.Sam Spade: What do you want me to do, learn....

You know Quinn?" Macaulay asked me."Ten minutes ago I was putting him to bed."Macaulay grinned. "I hope....

Don't be so damned patronizing. Your performance so far has been a little less than dazzling.""I didn't....

Yes,' Spade growled. 'And when you're slapped you'll take it and like it.' He released Cairo's wrist....

...I guess I can put two and two together.""Sometimes the answer's four," I said, "and sometimes it's....

He was the perfect soldier: he went where you sent him, and stayed where you put him, and had no idea....

I distrust a man that says when. If he's got to be careful not to drink to much it's because he's not....

The cheaper the crook, the gaudier the patter.

I just tell you what happens. I don't explain it.