--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...Recognising, as I do, that you are the…" description: "\"...Recognising, as I do, that you are the second highest expert in Europe--\" \"Indeed, sir! May I inquire who has the honour to be the first?\" Asked Hol..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43e/arthur-conan-doyle-273_affair_recognising-as-i-do-that-you-are-the-sec_2386886.jpg" --- # ...Recognising, as I do, that you are the second highest… ![“...Recognising, as I do, that you are the second highest expert in Europe--" "Indeed, sir! May I inquire who has the honour to be the first?" Asked Holmes, with some asperity. "To the man of precised, scientific mind the work of Monsieur Bertillon must always appeal strongly." "Then had you not…” quote by Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43e/arthur-conan-doyle-273_affair_recognising-as-i-do-that-you-are-the-sec_2386886.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43e/arthur-conan-doyle-273_affair_recognising-as-i-do-that-you-are-the-sec_2386886.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43e/arthur-conan-doyle-273_affair_recognising-as-i-do-that-you-are-the-sec_2386886.jpg) > “...Recognising, as I do, that you are the second highest expert in Europe--" "Indeed, sir! May I inquire who has the honour to be the first?" Asked Holmes, with some asperity. "To the man of precised, scientific mind the work of Monsieur Bertillon must always appeal strongly." "Then had you not better consult him?" "I said, sir, to the precisely scientific mind. But as a practical man of affairs it is acknowledged that you stand alone. I trust, sir, that I have not inadvertently--" "Just a little," said Holmes.” [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 mocks a rival’s claim of expertise, emphasizing that true scientific rigor is rare and that he is the sole authority in practical matters. **In simple terms:** Holmes says he is the only practical expert. Key Takeaway Recognize genuine expertise over pretended knowledge. Themes expertise science practicality humor Mood wry confident critical Type literary dialogue humorous When to use this quote - detective work - legal investigations - academic debates - professional consultations Key Concepts scientific method authority competition Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance confidence with humility? - When is it wise to assert your unique expertise? A Different Perspective Holmes’s sarcasm may alienate potential collaborators. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affair/) [Appeals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appeals/) [Asked Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked-holmes-5930899/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Experts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experts/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Highest Expert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highest-expert-5930901/) [Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holmes/) [Honour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honour/) [Honour Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honour-asked-4462675/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Monsieur Bertillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monsieur-bertillon-5930900/) [Practicals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practicals/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Said Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-holmes-1261921/) [Stand alone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stand-alone/) ## Related quotes > [“We're at close grips at last," said Holmes as we walked together across the moor. 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"Oscillation upon the pavement always means an affaire de coeur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/i-have-seen-those-symptoms-before-said-holmes-throwing-his-cigarette/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“No mention of that local hunt, Watson," said Holmes with a mischievous smile, "but a country doctor, as you very astutely observed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/no-mention-of-that-local-hunt-watson-said-holmes-with-a-mischievous/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Now, Watson,” said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from its side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/now-watson-said-holmes-as-a-tall-dog-cart-dashed-up-through-the-gloom/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Matilda Briggs was not the name of a young woman, Watson," said Holmes in a reminiscent voice. "It was a ship which is associated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/matilda-briggs-was-not-the-name-of-a-young-woman-watson-said-holmes/) [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/) > [It's a great honour to be asked to be the next manager of Manchester United. I am delighted that Sir Alex saw fit to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-moyes/it-s-a-great-honour-to-be-asked-to-be-the-next-manager-of-manchester/) [David Moyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-moyes/) > [It was an honour to be asked to do 'The Gift.' The producers took a risk asking me because, coming from a comedy background,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-giedroyc/it-was-an-honour-to-be-asked-to-do-the-gift-the-producers-took-a-risk/) [Mel Giedroyc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-giedroyc/) > [ “Very sorry to knock you up, Watson,' said he \[Holmes\], 'but it is a common lot this morning. Mrs Hudson has been knocked up,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/very-sorry-to-knock-you-up-watson-said-he-holmes-but-it-is-a-common/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“Now, Watson,' said Holmes, (...) 'you'll come with me, won't you?' 'If I can be of use.' 'Oh, a trusty comrade is always of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/now-watson-said-holmes-you-ll-come-with-me-won-t-you-if-i-can-be-of/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“Well,' said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return once more to London, 'it has been a pretty business for me!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/well-said-our-engineer-ruefully-as-we-took-our-seats-to-return-once/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“There is an appalling directness about your questions, Watson," said Holmes, shaking his pipe at me. 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I ejaculated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/wonderful-i-ejaculated/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Amberley excelled at chess - a mark, Watson, of a scheming mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/amberley-excelled-at-chess-a-mark-watson-of-a-scheming-mind/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Ex-Professor Moriarty of mathematical celebrity... is the Napoleon of crime, Watson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/ex-professor-moriarty-of-mathematical-celebrity-is-the-napoleon-of/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“When a doctor does go wrong, he is the first of criminals. 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May I inquire who has the honour to be the first?\" Asked Holmes, with some asperity. \"To the man of precised, scientific mind the work of Monsieur Bertillon must always appeal strongly.\" \"Then had you not better consult him?\" \"I said, sir, to the precisely scientific mind. But as a practical man of affairs it is acknowledged that you stand alone. 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