--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How long is this to last?\" asked the…" description: "\"“How long is this to last?\" asked the inspector finally. \"And what is it we are watching for?\" \"I have no more notion than you how long it is to last,\"..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/421/arthur-conan-doyle-273_criminals_how-long-is-this-to-last-asked-the-inspe_456175.jpg" --- # How long is this to last?" asked the inspector finally… ![“How long is this to last?" asked the inspector finally. "And what is it we are watching for?" "I have no more notion than you how long it is to last," Holmes answered with some asperity. "If criminals would always schedule their movements like railway trains, it would certainly be more convenient…” quote by Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/421/arthur-conan-doyle-273_criminals_how-long-is-this-to-last-asked-the-inspe_456175.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/421/arthur-conan-doyle-273_criminals_how-long-is-this-to-last-asked-the-inspe_456175.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/421/arthur-conan-doyle-273_criminals_how-long-is-this-to-last-asked-the-inspe_456175.jpg) > ““How long is this to last?" asked the inspector finally. "And what is it we are watching for?" "I have no more notion than you how long it is to last," Holmes answered with some asperity. "If criminals would always schedule their movements like railway trains, it would certainly be more convenient for all of us.”” [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. Holmes suggests that if criminals moved like scheduled trains, predicting and preventing crimes would be easier. **In simple terms:** Predictable patterns make crime prevention simpler. Key Takeaway Seek patterns to anticipate threats. Themes crime prediction order logic law enforcement Mood thoughtful analytical strategic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - police investigations - security monitoring - traffic management - logistics planning - risk assessment Key Concepts systems theory determinism strategic planning Questions to Reflect On - Can you identify predictable patterns in your field? - What are the limits of scheduling human actions? A Different Perspective Human behavior is rarely perfectly predictable, limiting this approach. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminals/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Sherlock holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sherlock-holmes/) ## Related quotes > [“Count Sylvius, "We give you best, Holmes. I believe you are the devil himself." 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