Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)

Quotes

• There was something awesome in the thought of the solitary mortal standing by the open window and summoning in from the gloom outside the spirits of the nether world.

• It is my belief, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside.

• The chief proof of mans greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness.

• I think as a result of my own personal experiences, that the accusations of fraud against mediums have been much exaggerated.

• Gregory: "Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
  Holmes: "To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time."
  Gregory: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
  Holmes: "That was the curious incident."

• I never guess. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.

• I'm not sure about whether I shall go. I am the most incurably lazy devil that ever stood in shoe leather -- that is, when the fit is on me, for I can be spry enough at times.

• The case has, in some respects, been not entirely devoid of interest.

• ...when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

• When you have eliminated the impossible, that which remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

• It is not really difficult to construct a series of inferences, each dependent upon its predecessor and each simple in itself. If, after doing so, one simply knocks out all the central inferences and presents one's audience with the starting-point and the conclusion, one may produce a startling, though perhaps a meretricious, effect.

• Mediocrity does not see higher than itself. But talent instantly recognizes the genius.

• "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?

• This is quite a three-pipe problem.

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

• You see, but you do not observe.

• It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.

• How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?

• Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius.

• The stage lost a fine actor, just as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in crime.