Dashiell Hammett - Man Quotes

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To get what he wanted, a man had to give other people what they wanted.

Dashiell Hammett

Who shot him? I asked. The grey man scratched the back of his neck and said: Somebody with a gun.

Dashiell Hammett

"You're a damn good man, sister," he said and went out.

Dashiell Hammett

If a man says a thing often enough, he is very likely to acquire some sort of faith in it sooner or later.

Dashiell Hammett

"We begin well, sir," the fat man purred … "I distrust a man that says when. If he's got to be careful not to drink too much it's because he's not to be trusted when he does. … Well, sir, here's to plain speaking and clear understanding. … You're a close-mouthed man?"
Spade shook his head. "I like to talk."
"Better and better!" the fat man exclaimed. "I distrust a close-mouthed man. He generally picks the wrong time to talk and says the wrong things. Talking's something you can't do judiciously unless you keep in practice."

Dashiell Hammett

When a man's partner is killed he's supposed to do something about it. It doesn't make any difference what you thought of him. He was your partner and you're supposed to do something about it.

Dashiell Hammett