I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose.

A study of family portraits is enough to convert a man to the theory of reincarnation.

It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence. It biases the judgment.

Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.

The chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness.

We must look for consistency. Where there is a want of it we must suspect deception.

I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Not a bit, doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Boswell.