Logic Quote by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
““The cheese-mites asked how the cheese got there, And warmly debated the matter; The Orthodox said that it came from the air, And the Heretics said from the platter. They argued it long and they argued it strong, And I hear they are arguing now; But of all the choice spirits who lived in the cheese, Not one of them thought of a cow.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Cheese-Mites” (attributed to Conan Doyle, 1905)
Debates over origins can miss the fundamental source, focusing on trivial details instead of the true cause.
In simple terms: Arguments often ignore the real source.
Seek the root, not just the symptoms.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic discussion
- policy analysis
- scientific research
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What underlying cause are you overlooking?
- How can you shift focus to fundamentals?
Focusing on minutiae can distract from essential truths.