--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Alec flopped down on the opposite side of…" description: "\"“Alec flopped down on the opposite side of the fire and glared at them both. \"And where have Jace and Clary gone?\" \"Ah,\" said Simon delicately. \"Who ca..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/cassandra-clare-9_quote_alec-flopped-down-on-the-opposite-side-o_1887464.jpg" --- # Alec flopped down on the opposite side of the fire and… ![“Alec flopped down on the opposite side of the fire and glared at them both. "And where have Jace and Clary gone?" "Ah," said Simon delicately. "Who can say..." "Straight people," Alec declared. "Why can't they control themselves?” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/cassandra-clare-9_quote_alec-flopped-down-on-the-opposite-side-o_1887464.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/cassandra-clare-9_quote_alec-flopped-down-on-the-opposite-side-o_1887464.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/cassandra-clare-9_quote_alec-flopped-down-on-the-opposite-side-o_1887464.jpg) > ““Alec flopped down on the opposite side of the fire and glared at them both. "And where have Jace and Clary gone?" "Ah," said Simon delicately. "Who can say..." "Straight people," Alec declared. "Why can't they control themselves?”” [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights frustration with people who act impulsively and lack self‑control, especially in tense or dangerous situations. **In simple terms:** People who can’t control themselves cause irritation. Key Takeaway Recognize and manage impulsive behavior. Themes frustration self‑control conflict Mood tense irritated reflective Type literary dialogue character‑driven When to use this quote - adventure - team dynamics - dangerous encounters - group decision‑making Key Concepts psychology behavioral impulse social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when others act without restraint? - What strategies help maintain composure in chaotic moments? A Different Perspective Self‑control is often challenged by external pressures and personal biases. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clary/) ## Related quotes > [“Not everything, Jace, is about you ," Clary said furiously. "Possibly," Jace said, "but you have to admit that the majority of things are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/not-everything-jace-is-about-you-clary-said-furiously-possibly-jace/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“But you knew my mother. She was your neighbor—” “This is an official Clave investigation.” Jace cut her off. “I can always come back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/but-you-knew-my-mother-she-was-your-neighbor-this-is-an-official/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Hello, hello.” Magnus swept toward them..."Alec, my darling, Clary. And rat-boy." He swept a bow toward Simon, who looked annoyed. "To what do I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/hello-hello-magnus-swept-toward-them-alec-my-darling-clary-and-rat/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I should have warned her about your habit of never doing what you're told." Jace squinted at her. "Are those Isabelle's clothes? They look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-should-have-warned-her-about-your-habit-of-never-doing-what-you-re/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“He is a demon, Clarissa,” said Valentine, still in the same soft voice. “A demon with a man’s face. I know how deceptive such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-is-a-demon-clarissa-said-valentine-still-in-the-same-soft-voice-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“In fact, it wouldn't hurt if you just spent the next few days inside. You can lock yourself in your room like Isabelle." "I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/in-fact-it-wouldn-t-hurt-if-you-just-spent-the-next-few-days-inside/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“We came to see Jace,” Clary said. “Is he all right?” “I don’t know,” Magnus said. “Does he normally just lie on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-came-to-see-jace-clary-said-is-he-all-right-i-don-t-know-magnus/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [(...)I don't know who I am. I look like Stephen Herondale, and I act like a Lightwood and I talk like my father- like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-don-t-know-who-i-am-i-look-like-stephen-herondale-and-i-act-like-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Once there was a boy,” said Jace. Clary interrupted immediately. “A Shadowhunter boy?” “Of course.” For a moment a bleak amusement colored his voice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/once-there-was-a-boy-said-jace-clary-interrupted-immediately-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [What are all these?" Clary asked. "Vials of holy water, blessed knives, steel and silver blades," Jace said, piling the weapons on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/what-are-all-these-clary-asked-vials-of-holy-water-blessed-knives/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Wait." Isabelle suddenly sat up straight. "What did you say that name was?" she demanded, turning to Jace. "The name in Clary's head." "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/wait-isabelle-suddenly-sat-up-straight-what-did-you-say-that-name-was/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“When he let go of Clary, he turned and hugged Jace. Clary watched, tears running down her face. “Oof,” said Jace, sounding extremely startled,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/when-he-let-go-of-clary-he-turned-and-hugged-jace-clary-watched-tears/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“After what happened on the boat, he’s interested in you. Which means you need to be careful. Very careful. In fact, it wouldn’t hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/after-what-happened-on-the-boat-he-s-interested-in-you-which-means/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“He auditioned with Lily, and he and Lily had incredible chemistry that sort of blazed off the scene. I’m just sitting here watching this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-auditioned-with-lily-and-he-and-lily-had-incredible-chemistry-that/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“But Jace", Clary said. "Valentine taught him more than just fighting. He taught him languages, and how to play the piano" "That was Jocelyn's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/but-jace-clary-said-valentine-taught-him-more-than-just-fighting-he/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More by Cassandra Clare > [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Must I go bound while you go free Must I love a manwho doesn't love me Must I be born with so little art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-i-go-bound-while-you-go-free-must-i-love-a-manwho-doesn-t-love/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If you're texting Magnus to say 'I think u r kewl,' I'm going to kill you." "Who's Magnus?" Max inquired. "He's a warlock," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-you-re-texting-magnus-to-say-i-think-u-r-kewl-i-m-going-to-kill/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“they all have always loved you Will Herondale, for you cannot hide what is good about yourself, however har you try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/they-all-have-always-loved-you-will-herondale-for-you-cannot-hide/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“We work through this together, remember? No shutting me out. No epic sulks.” “I was figuring I could sulk for Idris in the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-work-through-this-together-remember-no-shutting-me-out-no-epic/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Lex malla, lex nulla,” said Julian with a regretful wave of his hand. It was the Blackthorn family motto: A bad law is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/lex-malla-lex-nulla-said-julian-with-a-regretful-wave-of-his-hand-it/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Maybe that was why she couldn't cry, she realized, staring dry-eyed at the ceiling. Because what was the point in crying when there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/maybe-that-was-why-she-couldn-t-cry-she-realized-staring-dry-eyed-at/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I'm memorable, its true." -Magnus, pg.229-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-m-memorable-its-true-magnus-pg-229/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“There is more to living than not dying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/there-is-more-to-living-than-not-dying/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Unless there was a reason for me to stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/unless-there-was-a-reason-for-me-to-stay/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Love didn't make you weak, it made you stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-didn-t-make-you-weak-it-made-you-stronger/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I wasn’t just worried about him; I was worried about you, too. There’s something so . . . reassuring about you. And Jace is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-wasn-t-just-worried-about-him-i-was-worried-about-you-too-there-s/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I firmly believe that you can't get a good movie without risking a bad movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-firmly-believe-that-you-can-t-get-a-good-movie-without-risking-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Explore all 4,049 Cassandra Clare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More Clary quotes > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“We work through this together, remember? No shutting me out. No epic sulks.” “I was figuring I could sulk for Idris in the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-work-through-this-together-remember-no-shutting-me-out-no-epic/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I wasn’t just worried about him; I was worried about you, too. There’s something so . . . reassuring about you. And Jace is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-wasn-t-just-worried-about-him-i-was-worried-about-you-too-there-s/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Magnus? Magnus Bane?” “That would be me.” The man blocking the doorway was as tall and thin as a rail, his hair a crown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/magnus-magnus-bane-that-would-be-me-the-man-blocking-the-doorway-was/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Clary screamed out loud as he fell like a stone- And landed lightly on his feet just in front of her. Clary stared with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clary-screamed-out-loud-as-he-fell-like-a-stone-and-landed-lightly-on/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Not everything, Jace, is about you ," Clary said furiously. "Possibly," Jace said, "but you have to admit that the majority of things are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/not-everything-jace-is-about-you-clary-said-furiously-possibly-jace/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Clary, Despite everything, I can't bear the thought of this ring being lost forever, any more then I can bear the thought of leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clary-despite-everything-i-can-t-bear-the-thought-of-this-ring-being/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Why, oh why, had Jace picked a fight with a pack of wolves? What had possessed him? Then again, it was Jace. He'd pick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/why-oh-why-had-jace-picked-a-fight-with-a-pack-of-wolves-what-had/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Something inside Clary cracked and broke, and words came pouring out. 'What do you want me to tell you? The truth? The truth is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/something-inside-clary-cracked-and-broke-and-words-came-pouring-out/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Simon - "You look happy. And a good thing for you that she does" Jace - "Is this the part where you tell me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/simon-you-look-happy-and-a-good-thing-for-you-that-she-does-jace-is/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Unless... " Now he looked at her in surprise. "Unless what?" She jabbed a finger at his shoulder. "When did you get that?" Jace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/unless-now-he-looked-at-her-in-surprise-unless-what-she-jabbed-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [(Jace) "Is there anything special you want to see? Paris? Budapest? The Leaning Tower of Pisa?" Only if it falls on Sebastian's head, she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/jace-is-there-anything-special-you-want-to-see-paris-budapest-the/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“There are many levels to the Silent City, interjected Jeremiah. And not all the dead are buried here. There is another ossuary in Idris,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/there-are-many-levels-to-the-silent-city-interjected-jeremiah-and-not/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [It's Simon, he's missing." Ahh." said Magnus delicately "Missing what exactly?" Missing!" Jace repeated "As in gone, absent, notable for his lack of presence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/it-s-simon-he-s-missing-ahh-said-magnus-delicately-missing-what/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I mean, how do we know it works? Right now it’s just a drawing—you can’t take fear away from a piece of paper, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-mean-how-do-we-know-it-works-right-now-it-s-just-a-drawing-you-can/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Browse all 521 Clary quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clary/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Alec flopped down on the opposite side of the fire and glared at them both. \"And where have Jace and Clary gone?\" \"Ah,\" said Simon delicately. \"Who can say...\" \"Straight people,\" Alec declared. \"Why can't they control themselves?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cassandra Clare" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/alec-flopped-down-on-the-opposite-side-of-the-fire-and-glared-at-them/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Clary" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/alec-flopped-down-on-the-opposite-side-of-the-fire-and-glared-at-them/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/cassandra-clare-9_quote_alec-flopped-down-on-the-opposite-side-o_1887464.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/cassandra-clare-9_quote_alec-flopped-down-on-the-opposite-side-o_1887464.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/cassandra-clare-9_quote_alec-flopped-down-on-the-opposite-side-o_1887464.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Alec flopped down on the opposite side of the fire and glared at them both. \"And where have Jace and Clary…” — Cassandra Clare", "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": "Cassandra Clare", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Alec flopped down on the opposite...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/alec-flopped-down-on-the-opposite-side-of-the-fire-and-glared-at-them/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/alec-flopped-down-on-the-opposite-side-of-the-fire-and-glared-at-them/#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 } } ] } ```