"My dear Waton, I cannot agree with those who rank modesty among the virtues. To the logician all things should be seen exactly as they are, and to underestimate one's self is as much a departure from truth as to exaggerate one's own powers."Our first response might be, "Holmes not modest? Well, that's obvious!" Perhaps so. But it may be less apparent that, as noted in a previous post, Holmes is actually humble.
-- "The Greek Interpreter"
In this opening scene from "The Greek Interpreter," for example, Holmes goes on to explain that his brother Mycroft is even more gifted at deduction than he is. This is not modesty, but humility. Holmes clearly knew the difference.
What is your favorite Sherlock Holmes quote?
Somehow, Sherlock praising his brother as the more gifted, more brilliant Holmes makes Sherlock seem even MORE talented. Something about his candor and humility strips the praise he gets from others to nothing but the naked truth.
ReplyDeleteYou know how when someone admires a person and you automatically take it down a notch, thinking the admirer is a bit colored in his view? Well, this story, for me - this quote - made me go, 'Holy cow, everything (good) ever said about Sherlock IS true!'
I loved this story, not only for the introduction of Mycroft (a strange man himself) but Sherlock’s view of him.
Oh, and I couldn’t possibly pick one favorite quote from canon!