Portrait of Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Conan Doyle

Sherlock Holmes

Modern influential 137 sayings

Sayings by Arthur Conan Doyle

I have no patience with the arguments of atheists.

c. 1920 — Discussions on religion.
Religious Unverifiable

The greatest evil is indifference.

c. 1900 — Philosophical reflection.
General Unverifiable

My mind rebels at stagnation.

1887 — From 'A Study in Scarlet'.
General Unverifiable

The most difficult problems are found in the simplest things.

c. 1900 — General observation.
General Unverifiable

It is a common mistake to confuse the exceptional with the impossible.

1893 — From 'The Naval Treaty'.
General Unverifiable

The public is an excellent detective in its way.

c. 1900 — Observation on public opinion.
General Unverifiable

The fear of ridicule is the greatest enemy of progress.

c. 1910 — Essay.
General Unverifiable

I have always been a seeker of truth, however uncomfortable it may be.

c. 1920 — Personal reflection.
General Unverifiable

The greatest danger in life is to be too safe.

c. 1900 — Philosophical statement.
General Unverifiable

The true meaning of life is to serve humanity.

c. 1910 — Ethical reflection.
General Unverifiable

We are all pilgrims on a journey.

c. 1920 — Spiritual reflection.
General Unverifiable

The mysteries of the universe are endless.

c. 1900 — General observation.
General Unverifiable

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

c. 1900 — Often attributed to Einstein, but similar sentiments can be found in Doyle's work.
General Unverifiable

The world is a stage, and we are merely players.

c. 1900 — Echoing Shakespeare, not a unique quote by Doyle, but a sentiment he might have expressed.
General Unverifiable

The greatest victory is over oneself.

c. 1900 — Philosophical musing.
General Unverifiable

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

1891 — A Case of Identity, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
General Unverifiable

What one man can invent another can discover.

1891 — The Red-Headed League, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
General Unverifiable

My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can then dispense with artificial stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation.

1890 — The Sign of the Four
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

Love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I place above all things.

1891 — A Scandal in Bohemia, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Relationships Unverifiable

It is not my intention to be fulsome, but I confess that I feel the most profound respect for the man for whom no mystery is too abstruse, and no problem too intricate.

1887 — A Study in Scarlet
General Unverifiable
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