Cunning and Cleverness Quotes in The Da Vinci Code

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

Langdon was still hovering over the script. "A Sephardic transliteration, perhaps…?"

Teabing could bear it no longer. "Perhaps if I just…" Reaching over, he edged the box away from Langdon and pulled it toward himself. No doubt Langdon had a solid familiarity with the standard ancients – Greek, Latin, the Romances – but from the fleeting glance Teabing had of this language, he thought it looked more specialized, possible a Rashi script or a STA"M with crowns. (71.11-12)

These two brainiacs are almost too smart for their own good. It takes Sophie a solid three seconds to figure out that what they're looking at is mirror writing, but because Langdon and Teabing are so firmly rooted in academia they fail to see the obvious explanation.

Quote #11

Lieutenant Collet's smile was tired but calm. "It is my experience that Captain Bezu Fache seldom makes mistakes. I have not yet spoken to him on this matter, but knowing how he operates, I suspect his public manhunt for Agent Neveu and Mr. Langdon was part of a ruse to lure out the real killer."

The reporters exchanged surprised looks.

Collet continued. "Whether or not Mr. Langdon and Agent Neveu were willing participants in the sting, I do not know. Captain Fache tends to keep his more creative methods to himself. All I can confirm at this point is that the captain has successfully arrested the man responsible, and that Mr. Langdon and Agent Neveu are both innocent and safe."

(103.24-28)

And Collet from left field, for the win! He had the opportunity to throw his ego-ridden boss under the bus, but instead he cleverly manipulated the press into thinking Fache had known what he was doing all along. Not too shabby.