John watson Quote by Arthur Conan Doyle
““One other thing, Lestrade,” he added, turning round at the door: “‘Rache,’ is the German for ‘revenge;’ so don't lose your time looking for Miss Rachel.” With which Parthian shot he walked away, leaving the two rivals open-mouthed behind him.””
About This Quote
Source Literature: Sherlock Holmes short story, 1902
A witty warning that chasing literal meanings can waste time; metaphorical language often hides deeper truths.
In simple terms: Don’t chase literal clues when metaphor points elsewhere.
Pay attention to figurative language.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- crime solving
- creative writing
- teaching language
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How often do you miss hidden meanings?
- When should you trust a metaphor over a fact?
Some may find literal clues essential in investigations.