Sometimes, going down the rabbit hole gives you a new perspective and wisdom you didn’t have before. That’s what we’ve learned from Lewis Carroll quotes, our first lessons from behind the looking glass.
But what exactly do our favourite Alice in Wonderland quotes mean, and how can we apply their insight to our daily lives? Let’s step through the mirror and find out.
Who is Lewis Carroll?
Lewis Carroll was an author whose dreamlike novels are staples of the classic canon. Born in 1832, he was the third of 11 kids (not unusual at the time), and they were close growing up. His father was a priest, and his mother cared for the home and children.
Carroll never married or had kids of his own (by all accounts, he was a shy guy), but his family still impacted him. Growing up, he would tell stories to his siblings, which likely helped him develop his (now famous) imagination.
Carroll was highly educated and a jack of all trades, but he’s most famous for his books, namely Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.
As a writer, he bent the rules of reality, taking us on long, strange trips where things were seldom what they seemed. Anything was possible in his work, which had no shortage of fun wordplay, language twists, and full imagination on display.
Carroll also wrote poetry and dabbled in photography. He died in 1898, though Alice in Wonderland quotes will be remembered for as long as there is literature to love.
His Alice in Wonderland Legacy
At the center of Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland is, of course, Alice, who encounters bizarre (and now iconic) characters after tumbling down the rabbit hole: the always-late White Rabbit, the mischievous Cheshire Cat, the unhinged Mad Hatter, and the big baddie, the Queen of Hearts.
But Alice in Wonderland is more than just a kid's story—it drops some real nuggets of wisdom. For one, there's the mysterious (but kind of true, let’s face it) Cheshire Cat quote, "We're all mad here." And sometimes, you might wonder, "Who in the world am I?" It’s a good question!
Today, Lewis Carroll quotes remind us that it's okay to colour outside the lines and to always look for a different perspective. After all, in Alice’s words, "It's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then."
Alice in Wonderland has influenced many writers and artists throughout the decades. The novel challenges us to think outside the box and not take things at face value. It also reminds us to hold on to our sense of wonder no matter our age.
Lessons from Lewis Carroll Quotes
Lesson #1:
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There’s a lot to learn from Carroll’s sage sayings. One famous line is, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." It’s actually a bit of a misquote, though it does a pretty good job of summarizing the point.
The actual text is as follows:
“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.”
In a nutshell, the meaning is that if you don't have a clear goal or destination in mind, it doesn't matter which path you take because you'll end up somewhere anyway. Without a specific aim, all choices become equally valid (or equally aimless).
More broadly, the quote highlights the importance of having direction. Without knowing what you want or where you want to go, you might find yourself wandering without achieving anything specific.
Lesson #2:
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Another impactful lesson from Carroll comes to us courtesy of Alice and the Mad Hatter.
The Mad Hatter: Have I gone mad?
Alice: I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.
Alice's comforting words suggest that being "bonkers" or different is acceptable and even desirable. It implies that the most interesting, creative, and remarkable people often think and act outside the norm.
In sum, the quote celebrates eccentricity and individuality, suggesting that true brilliance often comes from those who dare to be different.
Quotes from Alice in Wonderland Ensure We Stay Curious
At Cedar Mountain Studios, we treasure the wisdom found in Alice in Wonderland and celebrate Lewis Carroll’s legacy. Stop by our shop and see which of our treasures will keep you curiouser and curiouser.
