# Quote — Arthur Conan Doyle, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

> It is of the highest importance in the art of detection to be able to recognize, out of a number of facts, which are incidental and which vital. Otherwise your energy and attention must be dissipated instead of being concentrated.

- Author: [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle.md)
- Book: [The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/the-memoirs-of-sherlock-holmes.md)
- Page: 407
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sherlock_Holmes#The_Reigate_Puzzle) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/the-memoirs-of-sherlock-holmes/it-is-of-the

## More from this book

> I am afraid that I rather give myself away when I explain. Results without causes are much more impressive.

p. 363 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/the-memoirs-of-sherlock-holmes/i-am-afraid.md)

> It is more than possible; it is probable.

p. 339 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/the-memoirs-of-sherlock-holmes/it-is-more.md)

> That is the case as it appears to the police, and improbable as it is, all other explanations are more improbable still.

p. 339 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/the-memoirs-of-sherlock-holmes/that-is-the.md)