--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And that was how a great scandal…" description: "\"“And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman’s w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35c/arthur-conan-doyle-273_cleverness_and-that-was-how-a-great-scandal-threate_806971.jpg" --- # And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the… ![“And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman’s wit. He used to make merry over the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers…” quote by Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35c/arthur-conan-doyle-273_cleverness_and-that-was-how-a-great-scandal-threate_806971.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35c/arthur-conan-doyle-273_cleverness_and-that-was-how-a-great-scandal-threate_806971.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35c/arthur-conan-doyle-273_cleverness_and-that-was-how-a-great-scandal-threate_806971.jpg) > ““And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman’s wit. He used to make merry over the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman.”” [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sherlock Holmes acknowledges that a woman's intelligence can outwit even his best plans, highlighting respect for female wit. **In simple terms:** Women can outsmart even the greatest detectives. Key Takeaway Recognize and value cleverness regardless of gender. Themes respect gender wit intelligence humility Mood thoughtful admiring Type literary reflective When to use this quote - investigations - social interactions - personal growth Key Concepts detective fiction gender dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when someone outsmarts you? - Do you credit skill over gender? A Different Perspective Even brilliant minds can be humbled by unexpected insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Sherlock holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sherlock-holmes/) [Woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woman/) ## Related quotes > [“To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/to-sherlock-holmes-she-is-always-the-woman-i-have-seldom-heard-him/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [You say that your fare told you that he was a detective?" "Yes, he did." "When did he say this?" 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I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/to-sherlock-holmes-she-is-always-the-woman-i-have-seldom-heard-him-3/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/to-sherlock-holmes-she-is-always-the-woman-i-have-seldom-heard-him-4/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) ## More by Arthur Conan Doyle > [“shattered the bone and grazed the subclavian artery. I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/shattered-the-bone-and-grazed-the-subclavian-artery-i/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [My mind rebels at stagnation. 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