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

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that explanations can diminish the impact of surprising results, which are often more impressive when their origins remain mysterious.

Arthur Conan Doyle implies that revealing the reasoning behind an impressive result can lessen its allure, as the mystery surrounding the cause often enhances the effect of the outcome. It reflects a philosophical stance on the nature of understanding and appreciation, suggesting that some things are simply more impactful when they exist without clear explanations, leaving room for wonder and intrigue.

Themes

MysteryResultsCausesImpressionWisdom

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about embracing the unknown and trusting intuition.

More from Arthur Conan Doyle

It has always seemed to me that so long as you produce your dramatic effect, accuracy of detail matters little. I have never striven for it and I have made some bad mistakes in consequence. What matter if I hold my readers?
Arthur Conan DoyleRead
I had neither kith nor kin in England, and was therefore as free as air -- or as free as an income of eleven shillings and sixpence a day will permit a man to be. Under such circumstances, I naturally gravitated to London, that great cesspool into which all the loungers and idlers of the Empire are irresistibly drained.
Arthur Conan DoyleRead
A dog reflects the family life. Whoever saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy one? Snarling people have snarling dogs, dangerous people have dangerous ones.
Arthur Conan DoyleRead
You yourself may not be luminous, but you are a conductor of light.
Arthur Conan DoyleRead
I could not rest, Watson, I could not sit quiet in my chair, if I thought that such a man as Professor Moriarty were walking the streets of London unchallenged.
Arthur Conan DoyleRead
It seems very strange ... that in the course of the world's history so obvious an improvement should never have been adopted. ... The next generation of Britishers would be the better for having had this extra hour of daylight in their childhood.
Arthur Conan DoyleRead

Similar quotes

Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
When this No-Mind has been well developed, the mind does not stop with one thing nor does it lack any one thing. It appears appropriately when facing a time of need.
Takuan SohoRead
It is a thing of no great difficulty to raise objections against another man's oration, it is a very easy matter; but to produce a better in it's place is a work extremely troublesome.
PlutarchRead
For introverts, to be alone with our thoughts is as restorative as sleeping, as nourishing as eating.
Jonathan RauchRead
it is either make this thing permanent inside of you or forever just climb draggled up into the conning tower every time for one short glimpse of the horizon.
Tom WolfeRead
Why do people talk of the horrors of old age? It's great. I feel like a fine old car with the parts gradually wearing out, but I'm not complaining,... Those who find growing old terrible are people who haven't done what they wanted with their lives.
Martha GellhornRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.