“I believe in the theory that you should invert the genders in Proust - to me, it makes more sense like that, given that he was gay himself. . . . I promise you, it is a very common way to read the books, and has been much discussed. . . . You see how common it is? . . . it's pretty mainstream.”

“You're right, i don't have common sense. I don't want to believe what every one else believes. I have my own thoughts, things that weren't taught to me or things that I didn't read in a book. I learn from experience - you, you are afraid to experience anything and so you will always have your common sense and only your common sense.”

“The book which you read from a sense of duty, or because for any reason you must, does not commonly make friends with you.”

“Will you ever use common sense, I hear it comes pretty cheap. And if I speak more clearly, if I make more sense. Will you shut your mouth. You won't come across so dense. Close your eyes and then you free your mind.”

“It's pretty amazing how uncommon common sense is.”

“Very sorry to knock you up, Watson,' said he [Holmes], 'but it is a common lot this morning. Mrs Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.”