Quotes from Arthur Conan Doyle

It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.

you are the second man to-day that has used that expression to me.

Sherlock : The problem presents features of interest. I may even say exceptional features of interest. I have already looked into the matter, and have come, as I think, within sight of my solution. If you could accompany me in that last step you might be of considerable service to me. Watson : I should be delighted.

that the full facts have never been revealed to the general

there is nothing more unaesthetic than a policeman

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But

But a girl always knows.

I would not tell them too much. Women are never to be entirely trusted,—not the best of them.

There can be no doubt that Stapleton exercised an influence over her which may have been love or may have been fear, or very possibly both, since they are by no means incompatible emotions.

But you have the nimble mind and quick fancy of youth, turning over from the thing that is half done to a further task beyond.

Per Sherlock Holmes ella è sempre la donna. Raramente l'ho sentito accennare a lei in altro modo. Ai suoi occhi, supera e annulla tutte le altre esponenti del suo sesso.

Recuerda usted lo que afirma Darwin sobre la música? Sostiene que la capacidad de producirla y de apreciarla existió en la raza humana mucho antes de que esta alcanzase la facultad de la palabra. Quizá sea esta la razón de que influya en nosotros de una manera tan sutil. Existen en nuestras almas confusos recuerdos de aquellos siglos nebulosos en que el mundo se hallaba en su niñez.

Sure, what is murder? Isn't it common enough in these parts? It is, indeed; but it's not for me to point out the man that is to be murdered.

A wondrous subtle thing is love, for here were we two, who had never seen each other before that day, between whom no word or even look of affection had ever passed, and yet now in an hour of trouble our hands instinctively sought for each other.

Anything else?" "He was a man of untidy habits—very untidy and careless. He was left with

In solving a problem of this sort, the grand thing is to be able to reason backwards. That

THREE DAYS LATER A MESSAGE WAS LEFT  UNDER A PEBBLE UPON THE SUNDIAL."   "'If it really annoys you, Hilton, we might go and travel, you and I, and so avoid this nuisance.' "'What, be driven out of our own house by a practical joker?

Gone to the nearest public-house. That is the centre of country gossip. They would have told you every name, from the master to the scullery-maid.

He was once a schoolmaster in the north of England. Now, there is no one more easy to trace than a schoolmaster. There are scholastic agencies by which one may identify any man who has been in the profession.

Do you tell me that we have to sit down underthis? Do you say that no one can ever get level withthis king-devil?" "No, I don't say that," said Holmes, and his eyes seemed to be looking far into the future. "I don't say that he can't be beat. But you must giveme time—you must give me time!

and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that threaten you." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a

But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession,--or rather created it, for I am the only one in the world.

racy, his cold eyes glitter into ardent life, and his Don

It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.