01UndatedDr. Watson's summary list of Sherlock Holmes's strengths and weaknesses:"1. Knowledge of Literature: Nil.2. Knowledge of Philosophy: Nil.3. Knowledge of Astronomy: Nil.4. Knowledge of Politics: Feeble.5. Knowledge of Botany: Variable. Well up in belladonna, opium, and poisons generally. Knows nothing of practical gardening.6. Knowledge of Geology: Practical but limited. Tells at a glance different soils from each other. After walks has shown me splashes upon his trousers, and told me by their colour and consistence in what part of London he had received them.7. Knowledge of Chemistry: Profound.8. Knowledge of Anatomy: Accurate but unsystematic.9. Knowledge of Sensational Literature: Immense. He appears to know every detail of every horror perpetrated in the century.10. Plays the violin well.11. Is an expert singlestick player, boxer, and swordsman.12. Has a good practical knowledge of British law.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
03UndatedProblems may be solved in the study which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to use all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
04UndatedThere is a soul-jealousy that can be as frantic as any body-jealousy.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
06UndatedIt is not my intention to be fulsome, but I confess that I covet your skull.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
07UndatedThe cheese-mites asked how the cheese got there, And warmly debated the matter; The Orthodox said that it came from the air, And the Heretics said from the platter. They argued it long and they argued it strong, And I hear they are arguing now; But of all the choice spirits who lived in the cheese, Not one of them thought of a cow.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
08UndatedThere is no scent so pleasant to my nostrils as that faint, subtle reek which comes from an ancient book.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
09UndatedI care not how humble your bookshelf may be, or how lonely the room which it adorns. Close the door of that room behind you, shut off with it all the cares of the outer world, plunge back into the soothing company of the great dead, and then you are through the magic portal into that fair land whither worry and vexation can follow you no more. You have left all that is vulgar and all that is sordid behind you. There stand your noble, silent comrades, waiting in their ranks. Pass your eye down their files. Choose your man. And then you have but to hold up your hand to him and away you go together into dreamlandArthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
10UndatedYou will, I am sure, agree with me that... if page 534 only finds us in the second chapter, the length of the first one must have been really intolerable.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
11UndatedIt is only when you touch the higher that you realize how low we may be among the possibilities of creation.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
12UndatedWatson. Come at once if convenient. If inconvenient, come all the same.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
13UndatedThe good Watson had at that time deserted me for a wife, the only selfish action I can recall in our association. I was alone.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
14UndatedBy the way, Doctor, I shall want your cooperation.''I shall be delighted.''You don't mind breaking the law?''Not in the least.''Nor running a chance of arrest?''Not in a good cause.''Oh, the cause is excellent!''Then I am your man.''I was sure that I might rely on you.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
15UndatedI felt Holmes's hand steal into mine and give me a reassuring shake.- WatsonArthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
16Undated...Recognising, as I do, that you are the second highest expert in Europe--""Indeed, sir! May I inquire who has the honour to be the first?" Asked Holmes, with some asperity."To the man of precised, scientific mind the work of Monsieur Bertillon must always appeal strongly.""Then had you not better consult him?""I said, sir, to the precisely scientific mind. But as a practical man of affairs it is acknowledged that you stand alone. I trust, sir, that I have not inadvertently--""Just a little," said Holmes.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
17UndatedWell, Watson, what do you make of it?'Holmes was sitting with his back to me, and I had given him no sign of my occupation.'How did you know what I was doing? I believe you have eyes in the back of your head.''I have, at least, a well-polished, silver-plated coffee-pot in front of me', said he.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
18UndatedWomen are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
19UndatedDo you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed there.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
20UndatedA study in scarlet, eh? Why shouldn't we use a little art jargon? There's the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
21UndatedTo the man who loves art for its own sake, it is frequently in its least important and lowliest manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
22UndatedI am an omnivorous reader with a strangely retentive memory for trifles.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
23UndatedI do not think that life has any joy to offer so complete, so soul-filling as that which comes upon the imaginative lad, whose spare time is limited, but who is able to snuggle down into a corner with his book, knowing that the next hour is all his own. And how vivid and fresh it all is!Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
24UndatedUn sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l'admire.A fool always finds a greater fool to admire him.Arthur Conan Doyle / quote ↗
