---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ladies and Gentlemen! Silence please!\"…"
description: "\"“Ladies and Gentlemen! Silence please!\" Every one was startled. They looked round-at each other, at the walls. Who was speaking? The Voice went on- a h..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac3/agatha-christie-154_death_ladies-and-gentlemen-silence-please-ever_943496.jpg"
---

#  Ladies and Gentlemen! Silence please!" Every one was…

![“Ladies and Gentlemen! Silence please!&quot; Every one was startled. They looked round-at each other, at the walls. Who was speaking? The Voice went on- a high clear voice. You are charged with the following indictments: Edward George Armstrong, that you did upon the 14th day of March, 1925, cause the…” quote by Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac3/agatha-christie-154_death_ladies-and-gentlemen-silence-please-ever_943496.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac3/agatha-christie-154_death_ladies-and-gentlemen-silence-please-ever_943496.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac3/agatha-christie-154_death_ladies-and-gentlemen-silence-please-ever_943496.jpg)

> ““Ladies and Gentlemen! Silence please!" Every one was startled. They looked round-at each other, at the walls. Who was speaking? The Voice went on- a high clear voice. You are charged with the following indictments: Edward George Armstrong, that you did upon the 14th day of March, 1925, cause the death of Louisa Mary Clees. Emily Caroline Brent, that upon the 5th November, 1931, you were responsible for the death of Beatrice Taylor. William Henry Blore, that you brought about the death of James Stephen Landor on October 10th, 1928. Vera Elizabeth Claythorne, that on the 11th day of August, 1935, you killed Cyril Ogilvie Hamilton. Philip Lombard, that upon a date in February, 1932, you were guilty of the death of twenty-one men, members of an East African tribe. John Gordon Macarthur, that on the 4th of January, 1917, you deliberately sent your wife's lover, Arthur Richmond, to his death. Anthony James Marston, that upon the 14th day of November last, you were guilty of murder of John and Lucy Combes. Thomas Rogers and Ethel Rogers, that on the 6th of May, 1929, you brought about the death of Jennifer Brady. Lawrence John Wargrave, that upon the 10th day of June, 1930, you were guilty of the murder of Edward Seton. Prisoners at the bar, have you anything to say in your defense?””

[Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A mysterious judge lists crimes, forcing each character to confront guilt and fate.

**In simple terms:** Characters are accused of past murders.

Key Takeaway

Reflect on personal accountability.

Themes

guilt justice psychology mystery moral dilemma

Mood

tense foreboding

Type

literary dramatic

When to use this quote

- courtroom drama
- group suspicion
- moral reckoning

Key Concepts

crime punishment psychological thriller

Questions to Reflect On

- What would you say in your defense?
- How does collective guilt affect behavior?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[1930 Guilty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/1930-guilty-1629401/) [1932 Guilty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/1932-guilty-1629402/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Indictments Edward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indictments-edward-1629403/) [Ladies and gentlemen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ladies-and-gentlemen/) [Murder Edward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/murder-edward-1629405/) [Murder John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/murder-john-1629404/) [Murders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/murders/) [Namesake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/namesake/)

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