Quotes

Others

Mrs. Hudson: Oh, he's killed the dog … again. Cemetery Groundskeeper: I know what I saw! It was Blackwood. As clearly as I see you. And when the dead walk … the living will fill these coffins. Tanner: Oh, you've found a sense of humor, Doctor! … If only just a sense. Lord Coward: How terrible is wisdom, when it brings no profit to the wise. Mary Morstan: [to Holmes] Solve this … whatever it takes. Professor Moriarty: [to Adler, aboard a train] The train will depart when I tell it to. And you will leave my employment when I allow you to.

Quotes from Holmes Literature

You have the grand gift of silence, Watson. It makes you quite invaluable as a companion.

Quotes from Holmes Literature

You're not human!

Quotes from Holmes Literature

The little details are by far the most important.

Quotes from Holmes Literature

Data, data, data, I cannot make bricks without clay.

Quotes from Holmes Literature

It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Inevitably, one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.

Quotes from Holmes Literature

Crime is common. Logic is rare.

Quotes from Holmes Literature

It makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on whom I can thoroughly rely.

Quotes from Holmes Literature

My mind rebels at stagnation; give me problems, give me work.

Quotes from Holmes Literature

He'd say it was worth the wound … I know you care about him as much as I do.

Quotes from Holmes Literature

Nothing more elusive than an obvious fact.

Dialogue

Dr. John Watson: I like the hat. Sherlock Holmes: Thanks, I just picked it up. Dr. John Watson: You remember your revolver? Sherlock Holmes: Oh, knew I forgot something. Thought I left the stove on. Dr. John Watson: You did. Sherlock Holmes: I think that's quite enough. You are a doctor, after all. [Watson feels the henchman's pulse and lets him fall to the floor. Holmes & Watson shake hands] Sherlock Holmes: Always nice to see you, Watson. Where's the Inspector? Dr. John Watson: He's getting his troops lined up. Sherlock Holmes: That could be all day. [They run down the stairs and attack the other henchmen who are standing guard]

Dialogue

Lord Blackwood: Sherlock Holmes. And his loyal dog. Tell me, Doctor … as a medical man, have you enjoyed my work? Watson: Let me show you just how much I've enjoyed it. [starts walking towards Blackwood] Holmes: Watson, don't! Holmes: Observe … Watson: How did you see that? Holmes: Because I was looking for it.

Dialogue

Inspector Lestrade: You were told to wait for my orders. Sherlock Holmes: If I had, you'd be cleaning up a corpse and chasing a rumor. Besides, the girl's family hired me, not the Yard. Why they thought you needed any assistance is beyond me. Inspector Lestrade: Well, London will breathe a sigh of relief. Dr. John Watson: Indeed. Congratulations, Lestrade. Sherlock Holmes: Bravo, Inspector! Have a cigar.

Dialogue

Watson: [sarcastically] Permission to enter the armoury. Holmes: Granted. Holmes: I am in the process of creating a device that suppresses the sound of a gunshot. Watson: It's not working.

Dialogue

Watson: [reading a letter] Lady Radford reports … her emerald bracelet has gone missing. Holmes: Insurance swindle. Lord Radford likes fast women and slow ponies.

Dialogue

Mrs. Hudson: Tea, Mr. Holmes. Holmes: Is it poisoned, Nanny? Mrs. Hudson: There's enough of that in you already.

Dialogue

Watson: You've been in this room for two weeks. I insist you have to get out. Holmes: [looking out the window] There is absolutely nothing of interest to me, out there, on Earth, at all. Watson: [pauses] So you're free this evening? Holmes: Absolutely. Watson: Dinner? Holmes: Wonderful. Watson: The Royale? Holmes: My favorite. Watson: [starts to leave] … Mary's coming. Holmes: [looks up] … Not available. Watson: You're meeting her, Holmes! Holmes: Have you proposed yet? Watson: No, I haven't found the right ring. Holmes: Then it's not official. Watson: It's happening, whether you like it or not! 8:30, The Royale. Wear a jacket. [departs] Holmes: You wear a jacket.

Dialogue

Mary: It does seem a little far-fetched at times, making these grand assumptions based on such tiny details … Holmes: Well, that's not exactly true, is it? The little details are by far the most important. Take Watson – Mary: I intend to.

Dialogue

Mary Morstan: What can you tell about me? Sherlock Holmes: You? John Watson: Oh, I don't think that's – Sherlock Holmes: I don't know that that's – John Watson: Not at dinner. Sherlock Holmes: Perhaps some other time. Mary Morstan: I insist. Sherlock Holmes: You insist? John Watson: You remember we discussed this. Sherlock Holmes: The lady insists. Sherlock Holmes: You're a governess. Mary Morstan: Well done. John Watson: Yes, very well done. Now, shall we? Waiter! Sherlock Holmes: Your student … is a boy of eight. Mary Morstan: Charlie's seven, actually. Sherlock Holmes: Ah, well, then he's tall for his age. He flicked ink on you today. Mary Morstan: Do I have ink on my face? John Watson: There's nothing wrong with your face. Sherlock Holmes: There are two drops on your ear, in fact. India Blue is nearly impossible to get off. A very impetuous act by the boy, but you are too experienced to react rashly, which is why the lady for whom you work lent you that necklace.

Dialogue

Sherlock Holmes: Watson, what started merely as an experiment has led me to the brink of a remarkable discovery. Dr. John Watson: You do realize that what you're drinking is meant for eye surgery? Sherlock Holmes: If I play a chromatic scale, there's no measurable response. Now, and this is remarkable, I switch to atonal clusters … Sherlock Holmes: Voilà! They fly in synchronized, counterclockwise, concentric circles, as though a regimented flock. Watson, this is extraordinary. I, using musical theory, have created order … out of chaos. Dr. John Watson: How did you lure them in? Sherlock Holmes: Excellent question. Individually. I've been at it for six hours. Dr. John Watson: And what happens if I do this? Sherlock Holmes: … Right. Dr. John Watson: Get yourself cleaned up. You are Blackwood's last request.

Dialogue

Sherlock Holmes: I love what you've done with the place. Lord Blackwood: So glad you could accept my invitation. Sherlock Holmes: I just have a small point of concern. Lord Blackwood: How can I help? Sherlock Holmes: I'd already followed the murders with some interest, and while my heart went out primarily to the families of the victims, I couldn't help but notice a criminal mastery in the stroke of your brush. Lord Blackwood: You're too kind. Sherlock Holmes: However, by comparison, your work in the crypt was more akin to a finger painting.

Dialogue

Inspector Lestrade: What did he want? Sherlock Holmes: Not sure … [sees a priest] But I don't think you're needed, Father. Not for this one.

Dialogue

Irene Adler: Now, by the looks of things, you're between jobs. Sherlock Holmes: And you between husbands. How much did you get for the ring? Irene Adler: Oh, he was boring, and jealous, and he snored. [shrugs] I'm Irene Adler once again.

Dialogue

Irene Adler: Why are you always so suspicious? Sherlock Holmes: Should I answer chronologically or alphabetically?

Dialogue

Dr. John Watson: You're not really taking this seriously, are you, Holmes? Sherlock Holmes: Yes. As you should. It's a matter of professional integrity. No girl wants to marry a doctor who can't tell if a man's dead or not.

Dialogue

Lestrade: We're just in the process of bringing up the casket. Holmes: [looks at the constables, all of whom seem rooted to the ground] Indeed? What stage of the process? Contemplative?

Dialogue

Sherlock Holmes: There's one odour I can't put my finger on. Is it candy floss, molasses… maple syrup? Ah! Barley sugar. [Watson turns around to see two of Blackwood's henchmen enter, one holding a …] John Watson: Toffee apple. Sherlock Holmes: [eyes the second thug's gasoline can] Let me guess … judging by your arsonist's tool kit, you're here to burn down the building, and extinguish all evidence therein. First Thug: Just one minute, boys! [calls] Oh, Dredger! Dredger: Il y a un problème? ["Is there a problem?"] Sherlock Holmes: [pointing his cane to Dredger and then to the thugs] Meat … or potatoes? John Watson: My ten minutes are up. Sherlock Holmes: Un moment, s'il vous plaît … ["One moment, please."] Dredger: Je ne suis pas pressé. ["I'm in no hurry."] Dredger: [rising unsteadily to his feet] Un moment, s'il vous plaît … ["One moment, please …"] John Watson: [in surprise] Holmes, what is that? Sherlock Holmes: Je ne sais pas. ["I d

Dialogue

Dredger: Cours, petit lapin, cours. ["Run, little rabbit, run."] Holmes: Avec plaisir. ["With pleasure."]

Dialogue

Irene Adler: So … case closed. Which makes this a social visit. Sherlock Holmes: No, it's a "you're in over your head, Irene" visit.

Dialogue

Sherlock Holmes: Why did you drain the bathwater? Constable Clarkie: Out of common decency, sir. Sherlock Holmes: Crime is common, logic is rare. The decent thing is to catch the killer, not provide comfort for the corpse.

Dialogue

Sherlock Holmes: You know, somehow I knew you wouldn't leave. Irene Adler: [holds up a newspaper, showing the headline "Sherlock Holmes – WANTED"] You made the front page. Sherlock Holmes: Only a name and no picture. Irene Adler: Anyway, it appears that you'll be working outside the law now, and that's my area of expertise. Sherlock Holmes: I feel safer already.

Dialogue

Irene: I've never woken up in handcuffs before. Holmes: I have … naked. [referring to earlier in the film]

Dialogue

Irene: He's just as brilliant as you are, and infinitely more devious. Holmes: We'll see about that.

Dialogue

Irene: You'll miss me, Sherlock. Holmes: Sadly, yes.

Dialogue

That's it, big man. You've won, congratulations.

Dialogue

Sherlock Holmes: You've never complained about my methods before. Dr. John Watson: I'm not complaining. Sherlock Holmes: You're not? What do you call this? Dr. John Watson: I never complain! How am I complaining?! When do I ever complain about you practicing the violin at three in the morning, or your mess, your general lack of hygiene, or the fact that you steal my clothes?! Sherlock Holmes: Uh, we have a barter system … Dr. John Watson: When have I ever complained about you setting fire to my rooms? Sherlock Holmes: Our rooms … Dr. John Watson: The rooms! Or, or, the fact that you experiment on my dog? Sherlock Holmes: Our dog … Dr. John Watson: The dog! Sherlock Holmes: Gladstone is our dog!

Dialogue

Sherlock Holmes: Don't touch. Everything is in its proper place as per usual … Nanny. [on her way out, Mrs. Hudson notices Gladstone the dog laying on the floor] Mrs. Hudson: Oh, he's killed the dog. Again. Dr. John Watson: [irritated] What have you done to Gladstone now? Sherlock Holmes: I was simply testing a new anesthetic. He doesn't mind.

Dialogue

Sherlock Holmes: There is a toxin, refined from the nectar of the rhododendron ponticum. It's quite infamous in the region of Turkey bordering the Black Sea for its ability to induce an apparently mortal paralysis. Enough to deceive even a medical mind as tenacious and well-trained as yours. It's known locally as … Mary Morstan: [noticing Gladstone has been "killed" yet again] What's wrong with Gladstone? Sherlock Holmes: …mad honey disease. Oh, he's just demonstrating the very effect I've just described. He doesn't mind.

Dialogue

Dr. John Watson: [about Lord Blackwood] You really believe he was resurrected? Sherlock Holmes: The question is not if, but how. The game's afoot. Dr. John Watson: "Follow your spirit …" Dr. John Watson, Sherlock Holmes: [together] "And upon this charge, cry God for Harry, England and St. George!"

Dialogue

Irene Adler: He'll do it. Irene's Employer: Well done, Miss Adler. That's precisely why I hired you. Irene Adler: I wager he will have our man in the next 24 hours. Irene's Employer: He'd better. Reordan is the key to what Blackwood was doing. He's essential to my plan. Sherlock Holmes (dressed as street bum): [slurring, as if drunk] A little rifle range could go a long way, sir. Rubbin' the calluses off these German bands – [Irene's employer brandishes a wrist-mounted gun. The bum backs off] God save the Queen. God save the Queen. [He tips his hat and walks away]

Dialogue

Dr. John Watson: Look at you! Why is the only woman you've ever cared about a world class criminal? Are you a masochist? Sherlock Holmes: Allow me to explain. Dr. John Watson: Allow me. She's the only adversary who ever outsmarted you … twice. Made a proper idiot out of you. Sherlock Holmes: Right, you've had your fun. Dr. John Watson: What's she after, anyway? Sherlock Holmes: It's time to press on. Dr. John Watson: What could she possibly need? Sherlock Holmes: [sighs] Doesn't matter. Dr. John Watson: Alibi? A beard. A human canoe. She could sit on your back and paddle you up the Thames.

Dialogue

Dr. John Watson: [About the file Irene left Holmes] I've already read it. Missing Person: Luke Reordan. 4'10", red hair, no front teeth. Case solved. You're obviously not her type. She likes ginger dwarves. Sherlock Holmes: Midget. Dr. John Watson: So you agree? Sherlock Holmes: No, I don't agree. It's more than technicality.

Dialogue

Dr. John Watson: What were you doing [out there]? Sherlock Holmes: Will you allow me to explain? Dr. John Watson: I wish you would. Dr. John Watson: Holmes, what are you doing? Sherlock Holmes: Nothing. Dr. John Watson: Are you wearing a … Sherlock Holmes: … false nose? No. Dr. John Watson: [as Holmes steals his coat] Tell me that that wasn't … [before he can say "Irene Adler," Holmes jumps out the window and lands on a dumpster] Holmes, where are you going? [Holmes jumps onto another dumpster that is much lighter and the roof collapses under his weight.] Sherlock Holmes: Watson! Uh, Watson! [Watson simply closes the window] First Man: Got some flowers for you, sweetheart. Cut you a deal 'cause you're so pretty. Irene Adler: Oh! My lucky day! Second Man: [comes up behind Irene and whispers in her ear] Hello gorgeous, have you got something for me? Irene Adler: MOVE! [ She backs the thug into the wall, then she lowers the blade from his face to his neck and searches

Dialogue

John Watson: [about Scotland Yard's incompetence] You boys have done an excellent job at obliterating any potential evidence. Sherlock Holmes: Yes, but at least they never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

Dialogue

Watson: There's one thing you failed to deduce from the watch, Holmes. Holmes: I think not. Watson: The time. I have to get back, Holmes! Taking tea with the in-laws.

Dialogue

Fortune Teller: [Reading Watson's palm] Oh, I see two men. Brothers. Not in blood, but in bond. Watson: What of Mary? Fortune Teller: M for Mary, for Marriage. Oh, you will be married. Watson: Go on. Fortune Teller: Oh, I see patterned tableclothes, oh! China figurines, oh, and lace doilies! Holmes: [mutters] Doilies. Watson: Lace doilies? [He realizes that Holmes must have paid the fortune teller to rip him off] Holmes? Does your depravity know no boundaries? Holmes: No. Fortune Teller: Oh, she turns to fat! And oh, she has a beard! Holmes: What of the warts? Fortune Teller: Oh she's covered in warts. Watson: Enough. Holmes: [over Watson] Are they extensive? Watson: Please, enough! Holmes: It's the most apt prediction Flora has made in years, and precisely the reason you cannot find a ring.

Dialogue

[while they search Reordan's apartment] Irene Adler was here. Either that or the ginger midget wore the same Parisian perfume. [sniffs the air] Ah, putrefaction!

Dialogue

Watson: [looking at papers on Reordan's walls] It looks like he was attempting to combine some kind of sorcery and scientific formula. Holmes: [noticing some papers that were burnt to cover their contents] More importantly, let's see what he was trying to dispose of.

Dialogue

Madam, I need you to remain calm. And trust me, I'm a professional. But beneath this pillow … lies the key to my release.

Dialogue

Sherlock Holmes: Of course, she misinterpreted my meaning entirely. Constable Clark: Naturally, sir. Sherlock Holmes: That's why I find this modern religious fervor so troubling. There's no room for misunderstanding. Constable Clark: Faith runs right over reason, sir. Sherlock Holmes: Indeed. And chamber maids were once such a liberal breed. Constable Clark: My wife's a chamber maid, sir. [pause] Anyhow, it's a good thing she was offended, sir. Otherwise we'd never have found you. The Inspector's been over to Baker Street himself twice this morning, sir. Sherlock Holmes: Ah, yes. Constable Clark: Just joking about the wife, sir.

Dialogue

Dredger: Tu m'a manqué? ["Did you miss me?"] Holmes: I rather wish you hadn't done that, Irene.

Dialogue

Sir Thomas: Mr. Holmes, apologies for summoning you like this. I'm sure it's quite a mystery as to where you are, and who I am … Sherlock Holmes: [providing a turn by turn account of the route] As to where I am, I was, admittedly, lost for a moment, between Charing Cross and Holborn, but I was saved by the bread shop on Saffron Hill. The only baker to use a certain French glaze on their loaves – a Brittany sage. After that, the carriage forked left, then right, and then the tell-tale bump at the Fleet Conduit. And as to who you are, that took every ounce of my not-inconsiderable experience. The letters on your desk were addressed to a Sir Thomas Rotherham. Lord Chief Justice, that would be the official title. Who you really are is, of course, another matter entirely. Judging by the sacred ox on your ring, you're the secret head of the Temple of the Four Orders in whose headquarters we now sit, located on the northwest corner of St. James Square, I think. As to the mystery,

Dialogue

Inspector Lestrade: Excuse me, my lord. I know it's unorthodox, but Mr. Holmes here has been making some serious accusations about you … [lifts his lapel, showing a membership pin from the Temple of the Four Orders] … and the Order, sir. Lord Coward: I see. Sherlock Holmes: Well, at least that solves the great mystery of how you became Inspector. Inspector Lestrade: [turns and punches Holmes in the stomach] Begging your pardon, my lord, but I've been wanting to do that for a long time.

Dialogue

Sherlock Holmes: There was never any magic. Only conjuring tricks. The simplest involved paying people off, like the prison guard who pretended to be possessed outside your cell. Your reputation and the inmates’s fear did the rest. Others required more elaborate preparations, like the sandstone slab that covered your tomb. You had it broken before your burial, then put back together using a mild adhesive. An ancient Egyptian recipe, I believe. A mixture of egg and honey, designed to be washed away by the rain. [The plank Blackwood is holding on to breaks, pulling him further to the edge of the scaffolding. He manages to grab another plank, stopping his fall] Lord Blackwood: Holmes! Sherlock Holmes: Arranging for your father to drown in his own bathtub required more modern science. Very clever of Reordan to find a paralytic that was activated by the combination of copper and water and was, therefore, undetectable once the bathwater was drained. It might've been quite a challenge for me,