"Because silver is sometimes more valuable than gold," said the priest mildly; "that is, in large quantities."

Speaking of the Father Brown Story "The Queer Feet", which I mentioned just recently in connection with the Master's Jacket...Here is a quote from that story.

Father Brown's figure remained quite dark and still; but in that instant he had lost his head. His head was always most valuable when he had lost it. In such moments he put two and two together and made four million. Often the Catholic Church (which is wedded to common sense) did not approve of it. Often he did not approve of it himself. But it was real inspiration--important at rare crises--when whosoever shall lose his head the same shall save it. "I think, sir," he said civilly, "that you have some silver in your pocket." The tall gentleman stared. "Hang it," he cried, "if I choose to give you gold, why should you complain?" "Because silver is sometimes more valuable than gold," said the priest mildly; "that is, in large quantities."

-The Innocence of Father Brown (1911)