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Detective fiction Quote by Arthur Conan Doyle

“When a man writes on a wall, his instinct leads him to write above the level of his own eyes.” quote by Arthur Conan Doyle
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““When a man writes on a wall, his instinct leads him to write above the level of his own eyes.””

Arthur Conan Doyle

About This Quote

Source Short Story: The Adventure of the Empty House, 1903

Writing above eye level reflects an instinct to overreach or dominate.

In simple terms: Writing high shows overconfidence.

Key Takeaway

Stay grounded in perspective.

Themes

writing ego perspective self‑reflection

Mood

introspective critical

Type

literary psychological

When to use this quote

  • author workshops
  • public speaking
  • creative writing classes

Key Concepts

literary analysis psychology communication

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does your writing reflect your self‑view?
  • When does ambition become arrogance?
A Different Perspective

Overreaching can alienate audiences.

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