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Cats Quote by Lewis Carroll

“Cheshire Puss,' she began, rather timidly, as she did not at all know whether it would like the name: however, it only grinned a little wider. 'Come, it's pleased so far,' thought Alice, and she went on. 'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?' 'That depends a good deal on…” quote by Lewis Carroll
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““Cheshire Puss,' she began, rather timidly, as she did not at all know whether it would like the name: however, it only grinned a little wider. 'Come, it's pleased so far,' thought Alice, and she went on. '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.” Alice felt that this could not be denied, so she tried another question. 'What sort of people live about here?' 'In that direction,' the Cat said, waving its right paw round, 'lives a Hatter: and in that direction,' waving the other paw, 'lives a March Hare. Visit either you like: they're both mad.' 'But I don't want to go among mad people,' Alice remarked. 'Oh, you can't help that,' said the Cat: 'we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.' 'How do you know I'm mad?' said Alice. 'You must be,' said the Cat, 'or you wouldn't have come here.””

Lewis Carroll

About This Quote

Source Book: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, 1865

The Cheshire Cat suggests that direction matters less than the destination, and that madness is universal in Wonderland.

In simple terms: Focus on where you want to end up, not just the path; everyone is a bit crazy.

Key Takeaway

Define your goal and accept the absurdity of the journey.

Themes

identity choice madness identity philosophy absurdity

Mood

curious playful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal decisions
  • career planning
  • creative projects
  • self‑discovery

Key Concepts

literature dialogue

Questions to Reflect On

  • What is your true destination?
  • How do you handle the madness around you?
A Different Perspective

The advice ignores practical constraints and may lead to aimless wandering.

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