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Hercule Poirot

Hercule Poirot is one of the most iconic detectives in all of literature. H​e’s been featured in plays, movies, and television shows since his creation in 1920. But how did Christie herself describe her famously mustachioed creation?

ON CHRISTIE’S CREATION

Agatha Christie Portrait
Agatha Christie

“An extraordinary-looking little man. He was hardly more than five feet four inches, but carried himself with great dignity. His head was exactly the shape of an egg, and he always perched it a little on one side. His moustache was very stiff and military. The neatness of his attire was almost incredible; I believe a speck of dust would have caused him more pain than a bullet wound.”
-Poirot, as described by Hastings in The Mysterious Affair At Styles

POIROT, IN HIS OWN WORDS

Shawn Hamilton as Monsieur Bouc, Melissa Molano as Countess Andrenyi, and David Sinaiko as Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.
Shawn Hamilton as Monsieur Bouc, Melissa Molano as Countess Andrenyi, and David Sinaiko as Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.

“Every murderer is probably someone’s old friend. You cannot mix up sentiment and reason.” -Poirot, The Mysterious Affair At Styles

“My name is Hercule Poirot, and I am probably the greatest detective in the world.” -Poirot, The Mystery of the Blue Train

“I mean to arrive at the truth. The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to seekers after it.” -Poirot, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

“There are more important things than finding the murderer. And justice is a fine word, but it is sometimes difficult to say exactly what one means by it. In my opinion, the important thing is to clear the innocent.” -Poirot, Death In The Clouds

“Me, I suspect everybody till the last minute.” -Poirot, Murder On The Orient Express

“Everything must fit the theory. If the fact will not fit the theory, let the theory go.” -Poirot, The Mysterious Affair At Styles

“If you will allow Poirot to offer you a piece of wise advice: the pursuit of revenge is rarely a good idea.” -Poirot, The Mystery of The Three Quarters

“Hercule Poirot’s methods are his own. Order and method, and ‘the little grey cells’.” -Poirot, The Big Four

“It is an art, the growing of the moustache! I have sympathy for all who attempt it.” -Poirot, Double Sin