--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When Dr. Mortimer had finished reading…" description: "\"“When Dr. Mortimer had finished reading this singular narrative he pushed his spectacles up on his forehead and stared across at Mr. Sherlock Holmes. T..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04e/arthur-conan-doyle-273_sherlock-holmes_when-dr-mortimer-had-finished-reading-th_432836.jpg" --- # When Dr. Mortimer had finished reading this singular… ![“When Dr. Mortimer had finished reading this singular narrative he pushed his spectacles up on his forehead and stared across at Mr. Sherlock Holmes. The latter yawned and tossed the end of his cigarette into the fire. "Well?" said he. "Do you not find it interesting?" "To a collector of fairy-tales.” quote by Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04e/arthur-conan-doyle-273_sherlock-holmes_when-dr-mortimer-had-finished-reading-th_432836.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04e/arthur-conan-doyle-273_sherlock-holmes_when-dr-mortimer-had-finished-reading-th_432836.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04e/arthur-conan-doyle-273_sherlock-holmes_when-dr-mortimer-had-finished-reading-th_432836.jpg) > ““When Dr. Mortimer had finished reading this singular narrative he pushed his spectacles up on his forehead and stared across at Mr. Sherlock Holmes. The latter yawned and tossed the end of his cigarette into the fire. "Well?" said he. "Do you not find it interesting?" "To a collector of fairy-tales.”” [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 dismisses a tale as mere fantasy, highlighting his pragmatic skepticism toward the supernatural. **In simple terms:** Holmes sees fairy‑tales as irrelevant. Key Takeaway Question practicality over imagination. Themes skepticism pragmatism detective literature fantasy Mood curious analytical Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - investigations - reading - storytelling - academic analysis - creative writing Key Concepts rationalism empiricism critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - Do you ever dismiss ideas as “fairy‑tales” too quickly? - How can imagination aid detective work? A Different Perspective Holmes’ dismissal may overlook metaphorical insights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dr Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dr-mortimer-3811427/) [Holmes Yawned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holmes-yawned-3811428/) [Mortimer Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortimer-finished-3811429/) [Mr Sherlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mr-sherlock-2442025/) [Sherlock holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sherlock-holmes/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) ## Related quotes > [Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who was usually very late in the mornings, save upon those not infrequent occasions when he was up all night, was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/mr-sherlock-holmes-who-was-usually-very-late-in-the-mornings-save-2/) [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?" "When he left me."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/you-say-that-your-fare-told-you-that-he-was-a-detective-yes-he-did/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [And once again Mr. Sherlock Holmes is free to devote his life to examining those interesting little problems which the complexity of human life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/and-once-again-mr-sherlock-holmes-is-free-to-devote-his-life-to/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who was usually very late in the mornings, save upon those not infrequent occasions when he was up all night, was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/mr-sherlock-holmes-who-was-usually-very-late-in-the-mornings-save/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/and-that-was-how-a-great-scandal-threatened-to-affect-the-kingdom-of/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [In those days Mr. Sherlock Holmes was still living in Baker Street and the Bastables were looking for treasure in the Lewisham Road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-those-days-mr-sherlock-holmes-was-still-living-in-baker-street-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“His name," said the cabman, "was Mr. Sherlock Holmes." Never have I seen my friend more completely taken aback than by the cabman's reply.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/his-name-said-the-cabman-was-mr-sherlock-holmes-never-have-i-seen-my/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [ \[Sherlock Holmes:\] The temptation to form premature theories upon insufficient data is the bane of our profession. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/sherlock-holmes-the-temptation-to-form-premature-theories-upon/) [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.”](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/) > [“Holmes laughed. "Watson insists that I am the dramatist in real life," said he. "Some touch of the artist wells up within me, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/holmes-laughed-watson-insists-that-i-am-the-dramatist-in-real-life/) [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-2/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“It is cocaine," he said, "a seven-per-cent solution. Would you care to try it?" "No, indeed," I answered brusquely. "My constitution has not got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/it-is-cocaine-he-said-a-seven-per-cent-solution-would-you-care-to-try/) [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/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“My mind," he said, "rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/my-mind-he-said-rebels-at-stagnation-give-me-problems-give-me-work/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“Wonderful!" I ejaculated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/wonderful-i-ejaculated/) [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. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/my-mind-rebels-at-stagnation-give-me-problems-give-me-work-give-me/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [...it was a huge creature, luminous, ghastly, and spectral. I have cross-examined these men, one of them a hard-headed countryman, one a farrier, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/it-was-a-huge-creature-luminous-ghastly-and-spectral-i-have-cross/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“A study in scarlet, eh? Why shouldn't we use a little art jargon. 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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. He has the nerve and he has the knowledge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/when-a-doctor-does-go-wrong-he-is-the-first-of-criminals-he-has-the/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“How small we feel with our petty ambitions and strivings in the presence of the great elemental forces of Nature!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/how-small-we-feel-with-our-petty-ambitions-and-strivings-in-the/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [You wish to put me in the dark. I tell you that I will never be put in the dark. You wish to beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/you-wish-to-put-me-in-the-dark-i-tell-you-that-i-will-never-be-put-in/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“My mind," he said, "rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/my-mind-he-said-rebels-at-stagnation-give-me-problems-give-me-work/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“It is hard luck on a young fellow to have expensive tastes, great expectations, aristocratic connections but no actual money in his pocket, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/it-is-hard-luck-on-a-young-fellow-to-have-expensive-tastes-great/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“In the year 1878 I took my degree of Doctor of Medicine of the University of London, and proceeded to Netley to go through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/in-the-year-1878-i-took-my-degree-of-doctor-of-medicine-of-the/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) [Explore all 740 Arthur Conan Doyle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) ## More Sherlock holmes quotes > [Sherlock Holmes: She is a lovely woman, Watson, with a face that a man might die for. 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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/) > [“It is cocaine," he said, "a seven-per-cent solution. Would you care to try it?" "No, indeed," I answered brusquely. "My constitution has not got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/it-is-cocaine-he-said-a-seven-per-cent-solution-would-you-care-to-try/) [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-2/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [I loved Sherlock Holmes as a kid, but I remember being disappointed when he'd come up with these simple explanations for these complex mysteries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-weir/i-loved-sherlock-holmes-as-a-kid-but-i-remember-being-disappointed/) [Peter Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-weir/) > [Why would you envy a man who doesn't know the names of all the planets, is a 'high functioning' sociopath, and has no friends?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-hill/why-would-you-envy-a-man-who-doesn-t-know-the-names-of-all-the/) [Kyle Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-hill/) > [“All this was very loose guessing, and I don't pretend it was ingenious or scientific. I wasn't any kind of Sherlock Holmes. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-buchan/all-this-was-very-loose-guessing-and-i-don-t-pretend-it-was-ingenious/) [John Buchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-buchan/) > [you can give it a long name if you like, but I'm an old-fashioned woman and I call it mother-wit, and it's so rare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/you-can-give-it-a-long-name-if-you-like-but-i-m-an-old-fashioned/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [“Watson, temanku, katakan padaku apa yang merasuki pikiranku ketika aku memutuskan menagangani kasus di mana pelaku yang dicurigai telah meninggal dunia?" - Sherlock Holmes”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-mack-michael-citrin/watson-temanku-katakan-padaku-apa-yang-merasuki-pikiranku-ketika-aku/) [Tracy Mack & Michael Citrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-mack-michael-citrin/) > [“Holmes laughed. "Watson insists that I am the dramatist in real life," said he. 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He’s yours, till death… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-moore/on-writing-more-sherlock-holmes-stories-i-don-t-care-whether-you-do/) [Graham Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-moore/) > [There is an undeniable exhilaration in moment of even the smallest discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-moore/there-is-an-undeniable-exhilaration-in-moment-of-even-the-smallest/) [Graham Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-moore/) [Browse all 259 Sherlock holmes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sherlock-holmes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When Dr. Mortimer had finished reading this singular narrative he pushed his spectacles up on his forehead and stared across at Mr. Sherlock Holmes. 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