Free education Quote by Arthur Conan Doyle
““Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. “The ideal reasoner,” he remarked, “would, when he had once been shown a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have endeavoured in my case to do.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Adventure of the Copper Beeches, Arthur Conan Doyle, 1892
Reasoning can extrapolate entire events from a single fact, much like identifying an animal from one bone, suggesting deep knowledge enables comprehensive understanding.
In simple terms: One fact can reveal many related events if you understand it fully.
Cultivate deep, focused study to see broader patterns.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- investigations
- academic research
- problem solving
- strategic planning
- teaching
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What single fact could change your perspective?
- How do you balance intuition with analysis?
Human intuition and senses still play vital roles alongside pure reason.