Sign of Four: Key Quotations

Below is a list of all of the quotations we have covered organised by character and theme:

Intellect and Reason

Sherlock Holmes:

• "My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work." Sherlock Holmes:

• "I never make exceptions. An exception disproves the rule." Dr John Watson:

• "What was I, an army surgeon with a weak leg and a weaker banking-account?"

Love and Relationships

Dr John Watson:

• "I could not but observe that as she took the seat which Sherlock Holmes placed for her, her lip trembled, her hand quivered." Mary Morstan:

• "I have led a retired life, and have no friends whom I could appeal to if I were in trouble." Mary Morstan:

• "The treasure is lost," said Miss Morstan calmly.

Greed and Obsession

Jonathan Small:

• "It is my treasure, and if I can't have the loot I'll take darned good care that no one else does." Jonathan Small:

• "I cannot bear to feel that I have paid this price only that another may enjoy it!"