Quotes by Arthur Conan Doyle

About Arthur Conan Doyle:

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a British writer and physician, most noted for his fictional stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally considered milestones in the field of crime fiction.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

I have wrought my simple plan If I give one hour of joy To the boy who’s half a man, Or the man who’s half a boy.

Arthur Conan Doyle

Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l'admire. A fool always finds a greater fool to admire him.

Arthur Conan Doyle

Watson. Come at once if convenient. If inconvenient, come all the same.

Arthur Conan Doyle

What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is what can you make people believe you have done.

Arthur Conan Doyle

I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him g...

Arthur Conan Doyle

It is a mistake to confound strangeness with mystery. The most commonplace crime is often the most mysterious because it presents no new or special features from which deductions may be drawn. This murder would have been infinitely more difficult to ...

Arthur Conan Doyle

There are no crimes and no criminals in these days. What is the use of having brains in our profession? I know well that I have it in me to make my name famous. No man lives or has ever lived who has brought the same amount of study and of natural ta...

Arthur Conan Doyle

Dr. 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...

Arthur Conan Doyle

Desultory readers are seldom remarkable for the exactness of their learning.

Arthur Conan Doyle

Do you remember what Darwin says about music? He claims that the power of producing and appreciating it existed among the human race long before the power of speech was arrived at. Perhaps that is why we are so subtly influenced by it. There are vagu...

Arthur Conan Doyle

To a great mind, nothing is little,' remarked Holmes, sententiously.

Arthur Conan Doyle

It's quite exciting," said Sherlock Holmes, with a yawn.

Arthur Conan Doyle

No man burdens his mind with small matters unless he has some very good reason for doing so.

Arthur Conan Doyle

They say that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains," he remarked with a smile. "It's a very bad definition, but it does apply to detective work.

Arthur Conan Doyle

To begin at the beginning.

Arthur Conan Doyle

You have brought detection as near an exact science as it ever will be brought in this world.” My companion flushed up with pleasure at my words, and the earnest way in which I uttered them. I had already observed that he was as sensitive to flatte...

Arthur Conan Doyle

One other thing, Lestrade,” he added, turning round at the door: “‘Rache,’ is the German for ‘revenge;’ so don't lose your time looking for Miss Rachel.” With which Parthian shot he walked away, leaving the two rivals open-mouthed behin...

Arthur Conan Doyle

I must thank you for it all. I might not have gone but for you, and so have missed the finest study I ever came across: a study in scarlet, eh? Why shouldn't we use a little art jargon. There's the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourl...

Arthur Conan Doyle

Let me see—what are my other shortcomings? I get in the dumps at times, and don't open my mouth for days on end. You must not think I am sulky when I do that. Just let me alone, and I'll soon be right. What have you to confess now? It's just as wel...

Arthur Conan Doyle

I 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 ...

Arthur Conan Doyle

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

Arthur Conan Doyle

Author Bio

  • NameArthur Conan Doyle
  • DescriptionScottish physician and writer
  • AliasesSir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle; Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle
  • BornMay 22, 1859
  • DiedJuly 7, 1930
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionPhysician; Writer; Poet; Cricketer; Novelist; Politician; Essayist; Playwright; Autobiographer; Librettist
  • WorksSherlock Holmes Canonical Works; The Lost World
  • AwardsVenerable Order Of Saint John; Deputy Lieutenant