The Bad Beginning Greed Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"Listen to me very carefully, little boy," he said, breathing out foul steam with every word. "The only reason Count Olaf hasn't torn you limb from limb is that he hasn't gotten hold of your money. He allows you to live while he works out his plans. But ask yourself this, you little bookworm: What reason will he have to keep you alive after he has your money? What do you think will happen to you then?" (7.36)

The hook-handed man makes a pretty good argument here. Olaf is only barely tolerating the orphans now and he doesn't even have their fortune yet, so how is he going to treat them after he's fulfilled his covetous schemes?

Quote #8

Klaus turned to a different section of Nuptial Law. "A legal husband," he read out loud, "has the right to control any money in the possession of his legal wife." Klaus gazed at Count Olaf in triumph. "You're going to marry my sister to gain control of the Baudelaire fortune! Or at least, that's what you planned to do. But when I show this information to Mr. Poe, your play will not be performed, and you will go to jail!" (8.17)

And here's the plan. Why do we get the feeling that Count Olaf might not have figured this out on his own? Did Klaus just give this greedy villain the key to seizing control of their money? Oops. We'll call it a rookie mistake.

Quote #9

"I'm afraid, however," Count Olaf said, "that it is legally binding. Tomorrow, Mr. Poe, I shall come down to the bank and withdraw the complete Baudelaire fortune."

Mr. Poe opened his mouth as if to say something, but began to cough instead. For several seconds he coughed into a handkerchief while everyone waited for him to speak. "I won't allow it," Mr. Poe finally gasped, wiping his mouth. "I absolutely will not allow it."

"I'm afraid you have to," Count Olaf replied. (13.18-20)

What's funny is that Mr. Poe is perfectly prepared to allow Violet to go home as Count Olaf's wife, but not to release her money to him. Again, this banker really knows what's important in life.