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

All right, Watson. Don’t look so scared,” he muttered in a very weak voice. “It’s not as bad as it seems.” “Thank God for that!” “I’m a bit of a single-stick expert, as you know. I took most of them on my guard. It was the second man that was too much for me.” “What can I do, Holmes? Of course, it was that damned fellow who set them on. I’ll go and thrash the hide off him if you give the word.” “Good old Watson!(...)

It was easier to know it than to explain why I know it. If you were asked to prove that two and two made four, you might find some difficulty, and yet you are quite sure of the fact. ~ Sherlock Holmes

I am afraid that I rather give myself away when I explain," said he. "Results without causes are much more impressive.

This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie.

There are no fools so troublesome as those who have some wit.

Some people's affability is more deadly than the violence of coarser souls.