--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We called him Tortoise because he taught…" description: "\"We called him Tortoise because he taught us. -The Mock Turtle\" — Alice In Wonderland" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/alice-in-wonderland-17082_quote_we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught_1994821.jpg" --- # We called him Tortoise because he taught us. -The Mock… ![“We called him Tortoise because he taught us. -The Mock Turtle” quote by Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/alice-in-wonderland-17082_quote_we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught_1994821.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/alice-in-wonderland-17082_quote_we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught_1994821.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/alice-in-wonderland-17082_quote_we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught_1994821.jpg) > “We called him Tortoise because he taught us. -The Mock Turtle” [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Mock Turtle’s nickname “Tortoise” humorously teaches patience and steady learning. **In simple terms:** Tortoise teaches slowly. Key Takeaway Embrace patient learning. Themes patience learning humor Mood playful thoughtful Type literary didactic When to use this quote - education - personal development - coaching - mentoring Key Concepts metaphor character teaching Questions to Reflect On - How does patience affect your progress? - When is speed more important? A Different Perspective Patience alone may not guarantee speed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Called Tortoise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-tortoise-2604265/) [Mock Turtle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mock-turtle-2604267/) [Tortoise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tortoise/) [Tortoise Taught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tortoise-taught-3478293/) [Turtle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turtle/) ## Related quotes > [We called him Tortoise because he taught us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught-us/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [The master was an old Turtle--we used to call him Tortoise--' Why did you call him Tortoise, if he wasn't one?' Alice asked. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/the-master-was-an-old-turtle-we-used-to-call-him-tortoise-why-did-you/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Reeling and Writhing, of course, to begin with, and then the different branches of arithmetic...Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision. -The Mock Turtle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/reeling-and-writhing-of-course-to-begin-with-and-then-the-different/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [“As the tortoise can draw in his legs, and if you strike him, not one foot comes out,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/as-the-tortoise-can-draw-in-his-legs-and-if-you-strike-him-not-one/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“Love makes even a turtle smile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henrietta-newton-martin/love-makes-even-a-turtle-smile/) [Henrietta Newton Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henrietta-newton-martin/) > [Reform Judaism is like mock turtle soup-turtle soup without the turtle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/reform-judaism-is-like-mock-turtle-soup-turtle-soup-without-the-turtle/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > ["Reeling and Writhing, of course, to begin with," the Mock Turtle replied, "and then the different branches of Arithmetic Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/reeling-and-writhing-of-course-to-begin-with-the-mock-turtle-replied/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Well, I never heard it before," said the Mock Turtle; "but it sounds uncommon nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/well-i-never-heard-it-before-said-the-mock-turtle-but-it-sounds/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“yet?' 'No,' said Alice. 'I don't even know what a Mock Turtle is.' 'It's the thing Mock Turtle Soup is made from,' said the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/yet-no-said-alice-i-don-t-even-know-what-a-mock-turtle-is-it-s-the/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Now I'm no biologist, but it seems to make a lot of sense that slow lives, as well as being enjoyable, are long lives.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hodgkinson/now-i-m-no-biologist-but-it-seems-to-make-a-lot-of-sense-that-slow/) [Tom Hodgkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hodgkinson/) > [Runners and yogis are alike in lots of ways, and not just because some of us need yoga to unkink what running jams. Runners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-armstrong/runners-and-yogis-are-alike-in-lots-of-ways-and-not-just-because-some/) [Kristin Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-armstrong/) > [The slower but consistent tortoise causes less waste and is more desirable than the speedy hare that races ahead and then stops occasionally to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taiichi-ohno/the-slower-but-consistent-tortoise-causes-less-waste-and-is-more/) [Taiichi Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taiichi-ohno/) > [“You must really want to win with all of your heart! Plan your race; do not ever get side tracked. Focus on your goal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-remmerswaal/you-must-really-want-to-win-with-all-of-your-heart-plan-your-race-do/) [Lucas Remmerswaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-remmerswaal/) > [Deathlessness should be arrived at in a... haphazard fashion. Loving fame as much as any man, we shall carve our initials in the shell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white/deathlessness-should-be-arrived-at-in-a-haphazard-fashion-loving-fame/) [E. B. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-b-white/) > [A tortoise is, I suppose, a Jewish pet. It knows its place. Out on the lawn. It doesn't bark. It doesn't tear the Dralon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-lipman/a-tortoise-is-i-suppose-a-jewish-pet-it-knows-its-place-out-on-the/) [Maureen Lipman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-lipman/) ## More by Alice In Wonderland > [Curiosity often leads to trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/curiosity-often-leads-to-trouble/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [Oh, how I wish I could shut up like a telescope! I think I could, if I only knew how to begin. -Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/oh-how-i-wish-i-could-shut-up-like-a-telescope-i-think-i-could-if-i/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [Well! I've often seen a cat without a grin; but a grin without a cat! It's the most curious thing I ever say in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/well-i-ve-often-seen-a-cat-without-a-grin-but-a-grin-without-a-cat-it/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [Twinkle, twinkle, little bat! How I wonder what you're at. -The Hatter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/twinkle-twinkle-little-bat-how-i-wonder-what-you-re-at-the-hatter/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [We're all mad here. -The Cat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/we-re-all-mad-here-the-cat/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [Reeling and Writhing, of course, to begin with, and then the different branches of arithmetic...Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision. -The Mock Turtle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/reeling-and-writhing-of-course-to-begin-with-and-then-the-different/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [If everybody minded their own business, the world would go around a great deal faster than it does. -The Duchess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/if-everybody-minded-their-own-business-the-world-would-go-around-a/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [No wonder you're late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow. -Mad Hatter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/no-wonder-you-re-late-why-this-watch-is-exactly-two-days-slow-mad/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [Take care of the sense, and the sounds will take care of themselves. -The Duchess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/take-care-of-the-sense-and-the-sounds-will-take-care-of-themselves/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [Off with her head! -The Queen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/off-with-her-head-the-queen/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [What is the use of a book, without pictures or conversations? -Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/what-is-the-use-of-a-book-without-pictures-or-conversations-alice/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense. -The Mock Turtle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/well-i-never-heard-it-before-but-it-sounds-uncommon-nonsense-the-mock/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [There's a large mustard-mine near here. And the moral of that is...The more there is of mine, the less there is of yours. -The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/there-s-a-large-mustard-mine-near-here-and-the-moral-of-that-is-the/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [Now, I give you fair warning, either you or your head must be off, and that in about half no time! Take your choice!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/now-i-give-you-fair-warning-either-you-or-your-head-must-be-off-and/) [Alice In Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) > [“Have I go Mad?, I'm afraid so. You're entirely Bonkers. But I will tell a secret , all the best people are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/have-i-go-mad-i-m-afraid-so-you-re-entirely-bonkers-but-i-will-tell-a/) [Alice in Wonderland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) [Explore all 38 Alice In Wonderland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/) ## More Tortoise quotes > [A tortoise is, I suppose, a Jewish pet. It knows its place. Out on the lawn. It doesn't bark. It doesn't tear the Dralon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-lipman/a-tortoise-is-i-suppose-a-jewish-pet-it-knows-its-place-out-on-the/) [Maureen Lipman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-lipman/) > [Deathlessness should be arrived at in a... haphazard fashion. Loving fame as much as any man, we shall carve our initials in the shell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white/deathlessness-should-be-arrived-at-in-a-haphazard-fashion-loving-fame/) [E. B. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-b-white/) > [“As the tortoise can draw in his legs, and if you strike him, not one foot comes out,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/as-the-tortoise-can-draw-in-his-legs-and-if-you-strike-him-not-one/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“You must really want to win with all of your heart! Plan your race; do not ever get side tracked. Focus on your goal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-remmerswaal/you-must-really-want-to-win-with-all-of-your-heart-plan-your-race-do/) [Lucas Remmerswaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-remmerswaal/) > [The slower but consistent tortoise causes less waste and is more desirable than the speedy hare that races ahead and then stops occasionally to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taiichi-ohno/the-slower-but-consistent-tortoise-causes-less-waste-and-is-more/) [Taiichi Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taiichi-ohno/) > [We called him Tortoise because he taught us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught-us/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Now I'm no biologist, but it seems to make a lot of sense that slow lives, as well as being enjoyable, are long lives.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hodgkinson/now-i-m-no-biologist-but-it-seems-to-make-a-lot-of-sense-that-slow/) [Tom Hodgkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hodgkinson/) > [Runners and yogis are alike in lots of ways, and not just because some of us need yoga to unkink what running jams. Runners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-armstrong/runners-and-yogis-are-alike-in-lots-of-ways-and-not-just-because-some/) [Kristin Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-armstrong/) > [“I had no idea what humans were capable of. I heard they were crafty, but how are they able to do such things? You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-jennings/i-had-no-idea-what-humans-were-capable-of-i-heard-they-were-crafty/) [Patrick Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-jennings/) > [“Love makes even a turtle smile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henrietta-newton-martin/love-makes-even-a-turtle-smile/) [Henrietta Newton Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henrietta-newton-martin/) > [Oh, a very useful philosophical animal, your average tortoise. Outrunning metaphorical arrows, beating hares in races... very handy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/oh-a-very-useful-philosophical-animal-your-average-tortoise/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [I suppose without curiosity a man would be a tortoise. Very comfortable life, a tortoise has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/i-suppose-without-curiosity-a-man-would-be-a-tortoise-very/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [But of course, what the eagle does not realize is that it is participating in a very crude form of natural selection.One day a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/but-of-course-what-the-eagle-does-not-realize-is-that-it-is/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Democrats are like a big tortoise that's on its back and can't get up; you can't make jokes about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-black/democrats-are-like-a-big-tortoise-that-s-on-its-back-and-can-t-get-up/) [Lewis Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-black/) > [I personally would like to bring a tortoise onto the stage, turn it into a racehorse, then into a hat, a song, a dragoon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eug-ne-ionesco/i-personally-would-like-to-bring-a-tortoise-onto-the-stage-turn-it/) [Eugene Ionesco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eug-ne-ionesco/) [Browse all 40 Tortoise quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tortoise/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We called him Tortoise because he taught us. -The Mock Turtle", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alice In Wonderland" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught-us-the-mock-turtle/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Tortoise" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught-us-the-mock-turtle/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/alice-in-wonderland-17082_quote_we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught_1994821.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/alice-in-wonderland-17082_quote_we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught_1994821.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/alice-in-wonderland-17082_quote_we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught_1994821.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We called him Tortoise because he taught us. -The Mock Turtle” — Alice In Wonderland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alice In Wonderland", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-wonderland/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We called him Tortoise because he...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught-us-the-mock-turtle/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-wonderland/we-called-him-tortoise-because-he-taught-us-the-mock-turtle/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```