A fat, well fed, smiling, friendly man of business is of all parties to a bargain the most hopeless to deal with.
 Wilkie Collins, The Woman in White (1859). copy citation

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Author Wilkie Collins
Source The Woman in White
Topic business smile
Date 1859
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/583/583-h/583-h.htm

Context

“Merriman, was shown in. There are many varieties of sharp practitioners in this world, but I think the hardest of all to deal with are the men who overreach you under the disguise of inveterate good-humour. A fat, well fed, smiling, friendly man of business is of all parties to a bargain the most hopeless to deal with. Mr. Merriman was one of this class. "And how is good Mr. Gilmore?" he began, all in a glow with the warmth of his own amiability. "Glad to see you, sir, in such excellent health. I was passing your door, and I thought I would look in in case you might have something to say to me.” source