“There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as religion,” said [Sherlock Holmes], leaning with his back against the shutters. “It can be built up as an exact science by the reasoner. Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are all really necessary for our existence in the first instance. But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its color are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers.”
― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Naval Treaty
Dreams from a Pilgrimage 
This is such a lovely quote!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arthur Conan Doyle was just beginning to plumb the depths of Sherlock Holmes in fact! Sherlock the poet-theologian anyone?
LikeLike
Captivating header … and a quote that sets you thinking ! Nice 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holmes says it quite well, doesn’t he? After all, Reason is also God’s handmaiden.
LikeLike
DId not join the dots with Homes till you highlighted it. Shall have to read him in a new light of detective theologian … or should it be theologian detective 🙂
LikeLike
Went back and edited the quote to identify Holmes as the speaker! It does make a difference, doesn’t it?
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Wallie's Wentletrap and commented:
One of Wallie’s favorite Sherlock Holmes quotes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I imagine Wallie and Sherlock have a lot in common, other than their eccentricity, I mean 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person