If you please, Mr. Jarrett, no labels. Labels are for the things men m — Nero Wolfe

"Dont complicate matters by assuming for me a cupidity and corruption beyond the limits I have set for myself. Youre suffering from an occupational disease. When an international financier is confronted by a holdup man with a gun, he automatically hands over not only his money and jewelry but also his shirt and pants, because it doesnt occur to him that a robber might draw the line somewhere."

"It was nothing new for Wolfe to take steps, either on his own or with one or more of the operatives we used, without burdening my mind with it. His stated reason was that I worked better if I thought it all depended on me. His actual reason was that he loved to have a curtain go up revealing him balancing a live seal on his nose."

"They had Gebert down there, slapping him around and squealing and yelling at him. If youre so sure violence is inferior technique, you should have seen that exhibition; it was wonderful. They say it works sometimes, but even if it does, how could you depend on anything you got that way? Not to mention that after you had done it a few times any decent garbage can would be ashamed to have you found in it."

"To assert dignity is to lose it."

"If you need any help with all the ladies, Archie, for my age I am not to be ignored. A Swiss has a long usefulness."

"This is Mr. Goodwin, my confidential assistant. Whatever opinion you have formed of me includes him of necessity. His discretion is the twin of his valor."