--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Jon Spiro had not hired Pex and Chips for…" description: "\"“Jon Spiro had not hired Pex and Chips for their debating sills. In the job interview, they had only been set one task. A hundred applicants were hande..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/eoin-colfer-736_artemis-fowl_jon-spiro-had-not-hired-pex-and-chips-fo_2517699.jpg" --- # Jon Spiro had not hired Pex and Chips for their debating… ![“Jon Spiro had not hired Pex and Chips for their debating sills. In the job interview, they had only been set one task. A hundred applicants were handed a walnut and asked to smash it however they could. Only two succeeded. Pex had shouted at the walnut for a few minutes, then flattened it between…” quote by Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/eoin-colfer-736_artemis-fowl_jon-spiro-had-not-hired-pex-and-chips-fo_2517699.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/eoin-colfer-736_artemis-fowl_jon-spiro-had-not-hired-pex-and-chips-fo_2517699.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/eoin-colfer-736_artemis-fowl_jon-spiro-had-not-hired-pex-and-chips-fo_2517699.jpg) > ““Jon Spiro had not hired Pex and Chips for their debating sills. In the job interview, they had only been set one task. A hundred applicants were handed a walnut and asked to smash it however they could. Only two succeeded. Pex had shouted at the walnut for a few minutes, then flattened it between his giant palms. Chips had opted for a more controversial method. He placed the walnut on the table, grabbed is interviewer by the ponytail, and used the man's forehead to smash the nut. Both men were hired on the spot. They quickly established themselves as Arno Blunt's most reliable leiutenants for in-house work. They were not allowed outside Chicago, as this could involve map reading, something Pex and Chips were not very good at.”” [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A humorous tale shows unconventional problem‑solving can win over strict expectations. **In simple terms:** Creative tactics can succeed where usual skills fail. Key Takeaway Embrace creative thinking. Themes creativity unconventional methods workplace dynamics Mood playful ironic Type anecdotal humorous When to use this quote - job interview - team leadership - decision making Key Concepts problem solving authority challenge Questions to Reflect On - When is it appropriate to bend rules? - How to balance creativity with professionalism? A Different Perspective May such tactics backfire in formal settings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artemis fowl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artemis-fowl/) [Eoin-colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eoin-colfer/) [Job interview](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job-interview/) ## Related quotes > [“M...maybe,’ I stutter. ‘Whatever the reason, this woman has problems. We need to be compassionate, show understanding.’ ‘Or slice her head off. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/m-maybe-i-stutter-whatever-the-reason-this-woman-has-problems-we-need/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“Some people just needed to be stolen from.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/some-people-just-needed-to-be-stolen-from/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“I am surprised. ‘A disk? A bloody disk. What do I look like to you? Jason goddamn Bourne?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/i-am-surprised-a-disk-a-bloody-disk-what-do-i-look-like-to-you-jason/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“Certain battles were won by retreating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/certain-battles-were-won-by-retreating/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“Deacon laughs. ‘People like you and me, Dan, trouble sniffs us out. Maybe you can hide out for a while, maybe even a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/deacon-laughs-people-like-you-and-me-dan-trouble-sniffs-us-out-maybe/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“Why don't you write that sentence down and read it? Then perhaps you would realize how insane you are. -Linus Wynter”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/why-don-t-you-write-that-sentence-down-and-read-it-then-perhaps-you/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“This is working out pretty well, all things considered. My giddy side wants to giggle, but I choke it down. Later for the girlishness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/this-is-working-out-pretty-well-all-things-considered-my-giddy-side/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“They were in a position of total ignorance and people in that position often died without being enlightened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/they-were-in-a-position-of-total-ignorance-and-people-in-that/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“I am not qualified to deal with this. Why does everyone I meet seem to have mental problems? Ah...but did they have mental problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/i-am-not-qualified-to-deal-with-this-why-does-everyone-i-meet-seem-to/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“Pizza, pizza, Fill up your face, The thicker the pastry, The better the base!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/pizza-pizza-fill-up-your-face-the-thicker-the-pastry-the-better-the/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) ## More by Eoin Colfer > [There’s always time for babbling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/there-s-always-time-for-babbling/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [And I will not be beaten by that jackass." "Jackass?" said Foaly, wounded. "My favorite uncle is a jackass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/and-i-will-not-be-beaten-by-that-jackass-jackass-said-foaly-wounded/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Thankfully the rest of the world assumed that the Irish were crazy, a theory that the Irish themselves did nothing to debunk. They had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/thankfully-the-rest-of-the-world-assumed-that-the-irish-were-crazy-a/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [The craft's occupants clutched their armrests, and more than one of them closed their eyes. But not Artemis. He couldn't. There was something morbidly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/the-craft-s-occupants-clutched-their-armrests-and-more-than-one-of/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Tea? At the beach? No time for luxuries, Holly. There is important work to be done.” He winked at Butler. “Are you sure you’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/tea-at-the-beach-no-time-for-luxuries-holly-there-is-important-work/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Wait," said Butler. "Just wait, Holly. Artemis has a plan." He squinted through the green dome. "What is your plan, Artemis?" All Artemis could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/wait-said-butler-just-wait-holly-artemis-has-a-plan-he-squinted/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Holly is alive,' thought Foaly 'My princess lives,'exulted Orion. 'And we're chasing a dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/holly-is-alive-thought-foaly-my-princess-lives-exulted-orion-and-we/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“There were only two men on the planet better educated in the various martial arts than Butler, and he was related to one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/there-were-only-two-men-on-the-planet-better-educated-in-the-various/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [If Elmore Leonard met Jim Thompson down a dark alley at midnight they might emerge a week later with thick beards, bloodshot eyes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/if-elmore-leonard-met-jim-thompson-down-a-dark-alley-at-midnight-they/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Sig Sauer. Nine millimetres. Thirteen in the magazine. Big bullets. One of these hits you and it could blow your head off; something even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/sig-sauer-nine-millimetres-thirteen-in-the-magazine-big-bullets-one/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“I feel him near in the twist of me guts. It's something I've always been able to do. --The Reluctant Assassin”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/i-feel-him-near-in-the-twist-of-me-guts-it-s-something-i-ve-always/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Onscreen, Foaly rubbed his eyelids with his index fingers. "Yeah, yeah. Here we go. Captain Short goes rogue once more. Hands up who's surprised.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/onscreen-foaly-rubbed-his-eyelids-with-his-index-fingers-yeah-yeah/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [(about his terrible attempt at making a sandwich) It's more difficult than it looks. (Artemis Fowl)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/about-his-terrible-attempt-at-making-a-sandwich-it-s-more-difficult/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Play along, the wink said. I'll get you out of this. At least Artemis hoped this was what his wink communicated and not something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/play-along-the-wink-said-i-ll-get-you-out-of-this-at-least-artemis/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“ It's now or never , thought Otto. Now, now! thought Witmeyer. And so Ram kissed Thundercat, and suddenly neither bed of roses nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/it-s-now-or-never-thought-otto-now-now-thought-witmeyer-and-so-ram/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) [Explore all 371 Eoin Colfer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) ## More Artemis fowl quotes > [(about his terrible attempt at making a sandwich) It's more difficult than it looks. (Artemis Fowl)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/about-his-terrible-attempt-at-making-a-sandwich-it-s-more-difficult/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Play along, the wink said. I'll get you out of this. At least Artemis hoped this was what his wink communicated and not something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/play-along-the-wink-said-i-ll-get-you-out-of-this-at-least-artemis/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“Maybe I owe you something too, human," she said, drawing her pistol. Butler almost reacted, but decided to give Holly the benefit of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/maybe-i-owe-you-something-too-human-she-said-drawing-her-pistol/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Butler was seeing the world as it was, complete with L.E.P retrival team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/butler-was-seeing-the-world-as-it-was-complete-with-l-e-p-retrival/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“Good. I'm glad we could do business. Now why don't you name your preferred location. I'll be wearing a burgundy tie. Pay attention to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eon-colfer/good-i-m-glad-we-could-do-business-now-why-don-t-you-name-your/) Eon Colfer > [Ah, my princess. Noble steed. How does the morning find you both?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/ah-my-princess-noble-steed-how-does-the-morning-find-you-both/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“The boy who kidnapped Holly Short all those years ago would never have entertained the notion of sacrificing himself. But he was no longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/the-boy-who-kidnapped-holly-short-all-those-years-ago-would-never/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Either that boy is the sanest creature on Earth, he thought, or he is so disturbed that our tests cannot even begin to scratch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/either-that-boy-is-the-sanest-creature-on-earth-he-thought-or-he-is/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“They were in a position of total ignorance and people in that position often died without being enlightened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/they-were-in-a-position-of-total-ignorance-and-people-in-that/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“That will be her undoing," gasped Artemis, already suffering under the weight of the flak jacket. "Artemis Fowl will never be secondary ." "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/that-will-be-her-undoing-gasped-artemis-already-suffering-under-the/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [gold is power-artemis fowl I liked the artemis fowl series because its about a boy genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/gold-is-power-artemis-fowl-i-liked-the-artemis-fowl-series-because/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“Artemis simple-toon”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/artemis-simple-toon/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Artemis Fowl grinned right back at him and pointed his index finger to the sky... from the tip of this finger sprang a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/artemis-fowl-grinned-right-back-at-him-and-pointed-his-index-finger/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Look!" said Foaly, pointing with some urgency into the vast steel-gray gloom, "Someone who cares!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/look-said-foaly-pointing-with-some-urgency-into-the-vast-steel-gray/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Listen to me, goblin. You're stupid, let's accept that and move on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/listen-to-me-goblin-you-re-stupid-let-s-accept-that-and-move-on/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) [Browse all 46 Artemis fowl quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artemis-fowl/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Jon Spiro had not hired Pex and Chips for their debating sills. In the job interview, they had only been set one task. A hundred applicants were handed a walnut and asked to smash it however they could. Only two succeeded. Pex had shouted at the walnut for a few minutes, then flattened it between his giant palms. Chips had opted for a more controversial method. He placed the walnut on the table, grabbed is interviewer by the ponytail, and used the man's forehead to smash the nut. Both men were hired on the spot. 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