...while the individual man is an insoluble puzzle, in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty.

You would not call me a marrying man, Watson?" "No, indeed!" "You'll be interested to hear that I'm engaged." "My dear fellow! I congrat-" "To Milverton's housemaid." "My dear Holmes!" "I wanted information, Watson.

If in 100 years I am only known as the man who invented Sherlock Holmes then I will have considered my life a failure.

It's a wicked world, and when a clever man turns his brain to crime it is the worst of all.

The weak man becomes strong when he has nothing, for then only can he feel the wild, mad thrill of despair.

...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.

It is a fool's plan to teach a man to be a cur in peace, and think that he will be a lion in war.

The most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money, and the most repellent man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the London poor.

Nature is the true revelation of the Deity to man. The nearest green field is the inspired page from which you may read all that it is needful for you to know.