What Did Sherlock Holmes Mean When He Said; L’homme c’est rien—l’oeuvre c’est tout

What Did Sherlock Holmes Mean When He Said; L’homme c’est rien—l’oeuvre c’est tout

When Watson remarks that Holmes is the benefactor of the human race, Holmes replies;

He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of some little use," he remarked. " 'L'homme c'est rien—l'oeuvre c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand."

The phrase, "L'homme c'est rien—l'oeuvre c'est tout" (Lom sce rien—l'ovrey sce touh), is a famous French phrase that literally translates to; "The man is nothing. The work is everything".

This quote is intended to demonstrate Holmes's lack of desire for the spotlight. Although Holmes is snobbish and conceited, and has a very high opinion of himself, he is not a fame-hog. In fact, he would much rather let others take the credit if possible. The puzzle is what matters to him.

"My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little problems help me to do so."

This shows very much well that Holmes does not solve his cases because of the popularity, but simply because of boredom.

-AdminT