He was one of those men who can both get money and keep…
““He was one of those men who can both get money and keep it. He must have been a millionaire. He kept accounts. He introduced a post-office atmosphere into his shady dealings. Not a stamp, not a pen-nib escaped him, and he would stay up half the night to figure out what had happened to a mislaid farthing. You cannot conceive the caution and the meanness of that man! He would have made a Syrian pawn-broker appear like Diamond Jim Brady. But he had brains, and also nerve. At the same time, he was as smooth as glycerine. He looked like an octopus — he had a dirtyish pallor, no shape, evil eyes, and a beak. In shaking hands with him, you felt that six or seven other hands were investigating your pockets while a dozen eyes watched you. He was feared. He made money out of everything. But he was still unknown to the police.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A shrewd, meticulous criminal mastermind who obsessively tracks every detail, blending intelligence with ruthless caution.
In simple terms: A clever, careful criminal who watches everything.
Key Takeaway
Beware of over‑analysis and paranoia.
Themes
caution
power
deception
control
Mood
suspicious
analytical
Type
character study
warning
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- financial audits
- risk management
- security assessments
Key Concepts
psychology
crime
detail orientation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does obsessive detail affect relationships?
- When does caution become paranoia?
A Different Perspective
His extreme vigilance can breed mistrust and isolation.