“Curious things, habits. People themselves never knew they had them.”
- September 15, 1890 – January 12, 1976
- British
- Author
- The detective novel series (such as “And Then There Were None”) featuring the fictional detectives “Hercule Poirot” and “Miss Marple” became a worldwide hit.
Quote
“Curious things, habits. People themselves never knew they had them.”
Explanation
In this quote, Agatha Christie highlights the unconscious nature of many human habits. She points out that people often go through life unaware of the routines, behaviors, or patterns they fall into. These habits, which can range from small daily actions to larger life patterns, often become so ingrained that they are invisible to the person exhibiting them. Christie’s observation reflects a deep understanding of human nature—how we can be creatures of habit without fully recognizing it. Her characters often reveal this trait, as many of them unknowingly repeat certain actions or fall into predictable patterns, which sometimes become crucial to understanding their motives or unraveling mysteries.
Christie’s exploration of human psychology in her detective novels often involved revealing the hidden aspects of her characters. In novels like The Murder of Roger Ackroyd or Death on the Nile, characters’ seemingly insignificant habits and behaviors often turn out to be key elements in solving the crime. Christie understood that, much like physical clues, habits can often provide critical insight into a person’s character or intentions. Her own writing habits—her dedication to plotting and creating intricate narratives—likely reflected her awareness of how repetition can shape both the individual and their actions.
In modern terms, this quote could be seen in the light of contemporary psychology and behavioral science, where habits are now recognized as a major influence on decision-making, emotions, and overall well-being. Today, it is widely accepted that much of our daily life is dictated by subconscious routines, from how we start our mornings to how we react in certain situations. This understanding has led to a broader conversation about how to break bad habits or build better ones, as habits are now seen as powerful forces that govern our lives, often without our conscious awareness. Christie’s words remind us to pay attention to these hidden aspects of our behavior, as they might reveal much more than we think about who we truly are.
