# Quote — Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

> There is … a clever maxim which bears upon what I was saying to you some little while ago, and that is, that unless wicked ideas take root in a naturally depraved mind, human nature, in a right and wholesome state, revolts at crime. Still, from an artificial civilisation have originated wants, vices, and false tastes, which occasionally become so powerful as to stifle within us all good feelings, and ultimately to lead us into guilt and wickedness...

- Author: [Alexandre Dumas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexandre-dumas.md)
- Book: [The Count of Monte Cristo](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexandre-dumas/the-count-of-monte-cristo.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Count_of_Monte_Cristo#Quotes) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexandre-dumas/the-count-of-monte-cristo/there-is-a-clever

## More from this book

> "Calm yourself, my friend," said the count, with the smile which he made at will either terrible or benevolent, and which now expressed only the kindliest feeling; "I am not an inspector, but a traveller, brought here by a curiosity he half repents of, since he causes you to lose your time."

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexandre-dumas/the-count-of-monte-cristo/calm-yourself-my-friend.md)

> "We are never quits with those who oblige us," was Dantes' reply; "for when we do not owe them money, we owe them gratitude."

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexandre-dumas/the-count-of-monte-cristo/we-are-never.md)

> Monte Cristo had seen enough. Every man has a devouring passion in his heart, as every fruit has its worm; that of the telegraph man was horticulture. He began gathering the grape-leaves which screened the sun from the grapes, and won the heart of the gardener. "Did you come here, sir, to see the telegraph?" he said.
>
> "Yes, if it isn't contrary to the rules."
>
> "Oh, no," said the gardener; "not in the least, since there is no danger that anyone can possibly understand what we are saying."
>
> "I have been told," said the count, "that you do not always yourselves understand the signals you repeat."
>
> "That is true, sir, and that is what I like best," said the man, smiling.
>
> "Why do you like that best?"
>
> "Because then I have no responsibility. I am a machine then, and nothing else, and so long as I work, nothing more is required of me."
>
> "Is it possible," said Monte Cristo to himself, "that I can have met with a man that has no ambition? That would spoil my plans."

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexandre-dumas/the-count-of-monte-cristo/monte-cristo-had.md)