If you have a story that seems worth telling, and you think you can tell it worthily, then the thing for you to do is to tell it, regardless of whether it has to do with sex, sailors or mounted… — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
You don't pay a prostitute for sex, you pay her to leave afterwards. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
It's sometimes better to pretend I don't hear the sound of somebody in the nearby woods with a shotgun. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
“This damned burg's getting me. If I don't get away soon I'll be going blood-simple like the natives.” — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
“You know Quinn?" Macaulay asked me. "Ten minutes ago I was putting him to bed." Macaulay grinned. "I hope you keep his acquaintance like that - social" "Meaning what?" Macaulay's grin became rueful. "He used to be my broker, and his advice led me right up to the poorhouse steps." "That's sweet," I said. "he's my broker now and I'm… — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share
“Gutman smiled benignly at him and said: “Well, Wilmer, I’m sorry indeed to lose you, and I want you to know that I couldn’t… — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
“...I guess I can put two and two together." "Sometimes the answer's four," I said, "and sometimes it's twenty-two...” — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
Nora: "How do you feel?" Nick: "Terrible. I must've gone to bed sober. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
A lot of fancier yarns come from people trying to tell the truth. It’s not easy once you’re out of the habit. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
Three times I have been mistaken for a prohibition agent, but never had any trouble clearing myself. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
Listen, Dundy, it's been a long time since I burst into tears because a policeman didn't like me. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
“...What do people think about my staying with Harrison with him chasing everything that's hot and hollow?” — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
“Don't be so damned patronizing. Your performance so far has been a little less than dazzling." "I didn't mean no harm," I said and… — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
...What disturbed him was the discovery that in sensibly ordering his affairs he had got out of step, and not into step, with Life. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
