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

“As he stood by the desolate fire, he felt that the only one thing which could assuage his grief would be thorough and complete retribution, brought by his own hand upon his enemies.”

“What is the meaning of it, Watson? said Holmes solemnly as he laid down the paper. "What object is served by this circle of misery and violence and fear? It must tend to some end, or else our universe is ruled by chance, which is unthinkable. But what end? There is the great standing perennial problem to which human reason is as far from an answer as ever.”

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

“This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie.”

“It is my belief, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside.”

“When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”