How Quote by Arthur Conan Doyle
“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Hound of the Baskervilles, 1902
Eliminate impossible scenarios; the remaining unlikely explanation is likely true
In simple terms: Discard impossible, accept unlikely as truth
Consider all possibilities, then test the plausible
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- detective work
- scientific research
- strategic planning
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions make something seem impossible?
- How do you verify the remaining hypothesis?
Rarely, the “impossible” may be misidentified