Interruption Quote by Rex Stout
““The point is, did she kill that woman? If I thought she did I would bow out quick — I would already have bowed out because it would have been hopeless. But she didn’t One will get you ten that she didn’t. If she had—” The interruption wasn’t words; it was her lips against mine and her palms covering my ears. If she had been Wolfe’s client I would have shoved her off quick, since that sort of demonstration only ruffles him, but she was mine and there was no point in hurting her feelings. I even patted her shoulder. When she was through I resumed.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Nero Wolfe series, 1975
A detective weighs the cost of confronting a dangerous woman, choosing restraint over aggression to avoid unnecessary harm.
In simple terms: Choosing caution over violence when the stakes are personal.
Key Takeaway
Restrain aggression when personal ties matter.
Themes
ethics
decisionmaking
personalrelationships
Mood
tense
reflective
Type
literary
dialogue
When to use this quote
- investigations
- interrogations
- conflictresolution
Key Concepts
detectivefiction
moralchoice
selfcontrol
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you avoided conflict to protect someone?
- What are the risks of acting impulsively?
A Different Perspective
Violence may seem effective but can cause collateral damage.
