"It has been said of Hercule Poirot by some of his friends and associates, at moments when he has maddened them most, that he prefers lies to truth and will go out of his way to gain his ends by elaborate false statements, rather than trust to the simple truth." Christie 2011a, Book One, Chapter 9 Christie, Agatha (1 February 2011a). Five Little Pigs: A Hercule Poirot Mystery. HarperCollins. ISBN978-0-06-207357-0.
E.g. "Hercule Poirot looked down at the tips of his patent-leather shoes and sighed." Christie 1947a Christie, Agatha (1947a). "The Apples of the Hesperides". The Labours of Hercules. Collins.
"he walked up the steps to the front door and pressed the bell, glancing as he did so at the neat wrist-watch which had at last replaced an old favourite – the large turnip-faced watch of early days. Yes, it was exactly nine-thirty. As ever, Hercule Poirot was exact to the minute." Christie 2011b Christie, Agatha (1 September 2011b). The Dream: A Hercule Poirot Short Story. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN978-0-00-745198-2.
,!-- "Hercule Poirot was a Catholic by birth."--> Christie 1947a Christie, Agatha (1947a). "The Apples of the Hesperides". The Labours of Hercules. Collins.
"The Capture of Cerebus" (1947). The first sentence quoted is also a close paraphrase of something said to Poirot by Hastings in Chapter 18 of The Big FourChristie 2004b Christie, Agatha (6 January 2004b). The Big Four. HarperCollins. ISBN978-0-06-173909-5.
Christie 2004a, Chapter 13 in response to the suggestion that he might take up gardening in his retirement, Poirot answers "Once the vegetable marrows, yes – but never again". Christie, Agatha (28 September 2004a) [1963]. The Clocks. HarperCollins. ISBN978-0-06-174050-3.
