Alice in Wonderland Quotes: Timeless Wisdom and Whimsy
Alice in Wonderland quotes transport us back to the magical world of Wonderland, a much-loved story from childhood. As an adult, I find even more appreciation for the wisdom and satire woven into the conversations between Alice and the other quirky characters.
We hope you enjoy these inspirational Alice in Wonderland quotes from Lewis Carroll’s timeless books.
Classic Alice in Wonderland Quotes
- “If everybody minded their own business,” the Duchess said, in a hoarse growl, “the world would go around a great deal faster than it does.”
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 5 ~ - “Alice laughed. ‘There’s no use trying,’ she said: ‘one can’t believe impossible things.'”
“I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 5 ~
Some Alice in Wonderland quotes are best enjoyed with the full conversation for a deeper understanding of the humor and wit.
- Caterpillar: “Who are YOU?”
Alice: “This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. I hardly know, sir, just at present – at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.”
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 5 ~ - “I quite agree with you,” said the Duchess; “and the moral of that is – ‘Be what you would seem to be’- or if you’d like it put more simply- ‘Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise.”
“I think I should understand that better,” Alice said very politely, “if I had it written down: but I can’t quite follow it as you say it.”
“That’s nothing to what I could say if I chose,” the Duchess replied, in a pleased tone.
“Pray don’t trouble yourself to say it any longer than that,” said Alice.
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 9 ~ - Alice: “But I don’t want to go among mad people.”
The Cat: “Oh, you can’t help that. We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
Alice: “How do you know I’m mad?”
The Cat: “You must be. Or you wouldn’t have come here.”
Alice: “And how do you know that you’re mad?”
The Cat: “To begin with, a dog’s not mad. You grant that?”
Alice: “I suppose so.”
The Cat: “Well, then, you see, a dog growls when it’s angry, and wags its tail when it’s pleased. Now I growl when I’m pleased, and wag my tail when I’m angry. Therefore I’m mad.”
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 6 ~ - “I’ve had nothing yet,” Alice replied in an offended tone, “so I can’t take more.”
“You mean you can’t take less,” said the Hatter, “it’s very easy to take more than nothing.”
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 6 ~ - The White Queen: “Can you do addition? What’s one and one and one and one and one and one and one and one and one and one?”
Alice: “I don’t know. I lost count.”
Alice: “And how many hours a day did you do lessons?”
The Mock Turtle: “Ten hours the first day, nine the next, and so on.”
Alice: “What a curious plan!”
The Gryphon: “That’s the reason they’re called lessons, because they lessen from day to day.”
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 6 ~ - “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where…” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“… so long as I get SOMEWHERE,” Alice added as an explanation.
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 6 ~
More Delightful Alice in Wonderland Quotes
- “Now, I give you fair warning,” shouted the Queen, stamping on the ground as she spoke; “either you or your head must be off, and that in about half no time! Take your choice!”
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 9 ~ - “Perhaps it hasn’t one,” Alice ventured to remark.
“Tut, tut, child!” said the Duchess.”Everything’s got a moral, if only you can find it.”
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 9 ~ - “Well, I never heard it before,” said the Mock Turtle; “but it sounds uncommon nonsense.”
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 10 ~
Final Words from Alice in Wonderland
- The White Rabbit put on his spectacles. “Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?” he asked.
“Begin at the beginning,” the King said gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”
~ Lewis Carroll, Chapter 12 ~
These Alice in Wonderland quotes capture the essence of the story’s wit, wisdom, and whimsical nature. Whether you’re reminiscing about the tales from your childhood or discovering the humor and insight anew, Alice in Wonderland quotes offer something for everyone.
If you have enjoyed our Alice In Wonderland Quotes, you might also enjoy:
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