Holmes On Himself

                        My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people don't know.

I have been beaten four times - three times by men and once by a woman.

I have taken to living by my wits.

I have a turn both for observation and for deduction.

I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The latter is always instructive

My mind rebels at stagnation.

I get in the dumps at times, and don't open my mouth for days on end. You must not think I am sulky when I do that. Just let me alone, and I'll soon be right.

My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence.

Because I made a blunder, my dear Watson - which is, I am afraid, a more common occurrence than anyone would think who only knew me through your memoirs.

I cannot live without brainwork. What else is there to live for?

I crave for mental exaltation.

That hurts my pride, Watson. It is a petty feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride.

I take a short cut when I can get it.

My well of English seems to be permanently defiled.

What has become of any brains that God has given me?

Don't be hurt, my dear fellow. You know that I am quite impersonal.

I have a curious constitution. I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely.

I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the presence of one of the absolute fools in Europe.

I am the most incurably lazy devil that ever stood in shoe leather - that is, when the fit is on me, for I can be spry enough at times. (

I confess that I have been as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than never to learn it at all.

The air of London is sweeter for my presence.