872 Quotes by Arthur Conan Doyle

My dear Watson," said [Sherlock Holmes], "I cannot agree with those who rank modesty among the virtues. To the logician all things should be seen exactly as they are, and to underestimate one's self is as much a departure from truth as to exaggerate one's own powers.

Well,' said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return once more to London, 'it has been a pretty business for me! I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what have I gained?''Experience,' said Holmes, laughing. 'Indirectly it may be of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your existence.

There is a soul-jealousy that can be as frantic as any body-jealousy.

A dog reflects the family life. Whoever saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy one? Snarling people have snarling dogs, dangerous people have dangerous ones.

It is only when you touch the higher that you realize how low we may be among the possibilities of creation.

I fear that if the matter is beyond humanity, it is certainly beyond me.

Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting.

Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another.

No violence, gentlemen — no violence, I beg of you! Consider the furniture!