9 quotes
A Battle of Wits Between Rivals
Sherlock Holmes
You've a magnificent brain, Moriarty. I admire it. I admire it so much I'd like to present it pickled in alcohol to the London Medical Society.
Professor Moriarty
That would make an interesting exhibit. Holmes, you've only now barely missed sending me to the gallows. You're the one man in England clever enough to defeat me. The situation has become impossible.
Sherlock Holmes
Have you any suggestions?
Professor Moriarty
I'm going to break you, Holmes. I'm going to bring off right under your nose the most incredible crime of the century and you'll never suspect it until it's too late. That will be the end of you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. And when I've beaten and ruined you then I can retire in peace. I'd like to retire; crime no longer amuses me. I'd like to devote my remaining years to abstract science.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Holmes Asserts His Right to Interfere
Sherlock Holmes
I've decided to accept your case, Miss Brandon. I shall help you all I can.
Ann Brandon
Oh, thank you.
Jerrold Hunter
We don't want your interference, Mr. Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes
I interfere whenever and wherever I like, Mr. Hunter.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Conversation About Personal Space
Inquisitive Stranger
I say there, has something happened?
[Watson is lying in the street in order to reconstruct a murder - a stranger stops and stares]
Dr. Watson
Definitely. Would you mind moving back a few paces?
Inquisitive Stranger
Eh, not at all.
Dr. Watson
Thank you.
Inquisitive Stranger
Perhaps I could find a doctor?
Dr. Watson
I'm a doctor. What's the matter with you?
Inquisitive Stranger
I'm all right. I was thinking of you.
Dr. Watson
Why?
Inquisitive Stranger
But... But, aren't you ill?
Dr. Watson
Certainly not. I'm dead.
Inquisitive Stranger
Well. I'm afraid I must be getting off.
Dr. Watson
Don't let me detain you. Stupid fellow.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Disapproval of Superstitious Trinkets
Dr. John H. Watson
I've always thought those things in very poor taste. Fancy going about with a dead animal's foot dangling from your pocket!
[Regarding a rabbit's foot]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Limitations of Specialized Skills
Sherlock Holmes
The nose of the police dog, although long and efficient, points in only one direction at a time.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Disappointing Plant Care Incident
Dawes
You wanted to see me, sir?
Professor Moriarty
I'm away for a few weeks, Dawes, and I come back to find my anthurium magenta, my incomparable anthurium magenta, withered, ruined...
Dawes
I can't understand it, sir; I took good care of all the plants.
Professor Moriarty
Did you water them?
Professor Moriarty
Then how does it happen that I find a spider's web spun across the spout of the watering can?
Dawes
That can happen overnight, sir.
Professor Moriarty
Overnight, huh? Then you didn't water them today?
Dawes
There's been so much to do, sir, preparing for your coming back.
Professor Moriarty
Nothing is as important as the care of my flowers. Through your neglect, this flower has died. You've murdered a flower!
Dawes
Why, I'm sorry, sir.
Professor Moriarty
To think that for merely murdering a man I was incarcerated for six whole weeks in a filthy prison cell.
Dawes
A pity, sir!
Professor Moriarty
A travesty on justice!
Dawes
Quite so, sir.
Professor Moriarty
And for this crime, Dawes, you should be flogged, broken on the wheel, drawn and quartered...
Dawes
Yes, sir. Will that be all, sir?
Professor Moriarty
...and boiled in oil!
Dawes
Thank you, sir.
Professor Moriarty
Go away.
Dawes
Yes, sir.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Elementary Observation by Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Elementary, my dear Watson.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Elementary Observations in Deduction
Sherlock Holmes
Very effective, my dear Watson!
Dr. Watson
Elementary, my dear Holmes, elementary.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confidence in Watson's Discretion
Sherlock Holmes
Whatever Watson has found out, you'll know inevitably. I have unbounded confidence in his lack of discretion.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.