---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Alice didn't think that proved it at all…"
description: "\"“Alice didn't think that proved it at all; however, she went on: 'And how do you know that you're mad?' 'To begin with,' said the Cat, 'a dog's not mad..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a5/lewis-carroll-324_alice_alice-didn-t-think-that-proved-it-at-all_3022126.jpg"
---

#  Alice didn't think that proved it at all; however, she…

![“Alice didn't think that proved it at all; however, she went on: 'And how do you know that you're mad?' 'To begin with,' said the Cat, 'a dog's not mad. You grant that?' 'I suppose so,' said Alice. 'Well then,' the Cat went on, 'you see, a dog growls when it's angry, and wags its tail when it's…” quote by Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a5/lewis-carroll-324_alice_alice-didn-t-think-that-proved-it-at-all_3022126.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a5/lewis-carroll-324_alice_alice-didn-t-think-that-proved-it-at-all_3022126.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a5/lewis-carroll-324_alice_alice-didn-t-think-that-proved-it-at-all_3022126.jpg)

> ““Alice didn't think that proved it at all; however, she went on: 'And how do you know that you're mad?' 'To begin with,' said the Cat, 'a dog's not mad. You grant that?' 'I suppose so,' said Alice. 'Well then,' the Cat went on, '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.' 'I call it purring, not growling,' said Alice.””

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Madness is subjective; perception of behavior defines sanity.

**In simple terms:** Madness depends on viewpoint.

Key Takeaway

Question your assumptions.

Themes

identity perception madness

Mood

playful thoughtful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal identity crisis
- social judgment
- mental health discussions

Key Concepts

philosophy literature

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you define sanity?
- What does “mad” mean to you?

A Different Perspective

The analogy may oversimplify complex mental states.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Cats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cats/) [Cheshire-cat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheshire-cat-2/)

## Related quotes

> [“To begin with," said the Cat, "a dog's not mad. You grant that?" "I suppose so," said Alice "Well, then," the Cat went on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/to-begin-with-said-the-cat-a-dog-s-not-mad-you-grant-that-i-suppose/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [And how do you know that you're mad? "To begin with," said the Cat, "a dog's not mad. You grant that?" I suppose so,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/and-how-do-you-know-that-you-re-mad-to-begin-with-said-the-cat-a-dog/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [ She \[Alice\] went on "And how do you know that you're mad?" "To begin with," said the Cat, "a dog's not mad. You grant… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/she-alice-went-on-and-how-do-you-know-that-you-re-mad-to-begin-with/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [“Oh, you can't help that,' said the cat. 'We're all mad here.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/oh-you-can-t-help-that-said-the-cat-we-re-all-mad-here/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [ “Cheshire Puss,' \[Alice\] began, rather timidly, "'But I don't want to go among mad people,' Alice remarked. Oh, you can't help that,' said the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carol/cheshire-puss-alice-began-rather-timidly-but-i-don-t-want-to-go-among/)

Lewis Carol

> ['But I don't want to go among mad people,' said Alice. 'Oh, you can't help that,' said the cat. 'We're all mad here.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/but-i-don-t-want-to-go-among-mad-people-said-alice-oh-you-can-t-help/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [“Oh, you ca'n'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.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/oh-you-ca-n-t-help-that-said-the-cat-we-re-all-mad-here-i-m-mad-you/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/but-i-don-t-want-to-go-among-mad-people-alice-remarked-oh-you-can-t-2/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [“Call it what you like,' said the Cat. 'Do you play croquet with the Queen to-day?' 'I should like it very much,' said Alice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/call-it-what-you-like-said-the-cat-do-you-play-croquet-with-the-queen/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> ['But I dont want to go among mad people,' Alice remarked. 'Oh, you cant help that,' said the Cat. 'Were all mad here. Im…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/but-i-dont-want-to-go-among-mad-people-alice-remarked-oh-you-cant/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/cheshire-puss-she-began-rather-timidly-as-she-did-not-at-all-know/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [Alice tried another question. "What sort of people live about here?" "In THAT direction," the Cat said, waving its right paw round, "lives a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/alice-tried-another-question-what-sort-of-people-live-about-here-in/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [“How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice "You must be," said the cat, "or you wouldn't have come here.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/how-do-you-know-i-m-mad-said-alice-you-must-be-said-the-cat-or-you/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?' 'That depends a good deal on where you want to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/would-you-tell-me-please-which-way-i-ought-to-go-from-here-that/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/cheshire-puss-she-began-rather-timidly-as-she-did-not-at-all-know-2/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

## More by Lewis Carroll

> [You're thinking about something, my dear, and that makes you forget to talk. I can't tell you just now what the moral of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/you-re-thinking-about-something-my-dear-and-that-makes-you-forget-to/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [“I'm afraid I can't explain myself, sir. Because I am not myself, you see?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/i-m-afraid-i-can-t-explain-myself-sir-because-i-am-not-myself-you-see/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [My beloved friend - one of the most unique and charming personalities of our time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/my-beloved-friend-one-of-the-most-unique-and-charming-personalities/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [Either it brings tears to their eyes, or else -" "Or else what?" said Alice, for the Knight had made a sudden pause. "Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/either-it-brings-tears-to-their-eyes-or-else-or-else-what-said-alice/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [“We may give our human loves the unconditional allegiance which we owe only to God. Then they become gods: then they become demons. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/we-may-give-our-human-loves-the-unconditional-allegiance-which-we-owe/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [In the midst of the word he was trying to say In the midst of his laughter and glee, He had softly and suddenly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/in-the-midst-of-the-word-he-was-trying-to-say-in-the-midst-of-his/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [“But it must be borne in mind that, if there is a Scylla before me, there is also a Charybdis - and that, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/but-it-must-be-borne-in-mind-that-if-there-is-a-scylla-before-me/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might: He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright--…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/the-sun-was-shining-on-the-sea-shining-with-all-his-might-he-did-his/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [“In vain we roared;in vain we tried To rouse her into laughter: Her pensive glances wandered wide From orchestra to rafter - "TIER UPON…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/in-vain-we-roared-in-vain-we-tried-to-rouse-her-into-laughter-her/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [For the snark was a boojum, you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/for-the-snark-was-a-boojum-you-see/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [Thanks for your nice little note, though I am sorry to hear you find Through the Looking Glass so uninteresting. You see I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/thanks-for-your-nice-little-note-though-i-am-sorry-to-hear-you-find/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [You shouldn't make jokes if it makes you so unhappy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/you-shouldn-t-make-jokes-if-it-makes-you-so-unhappy/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [We haven't any and you're too young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/we-haven-t-any-and-you-re-too-young/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [Everything is funny, if you can laugh at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/everything-is-funny-if-you-can-laugh-at-it/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [I wish I hadn't cried so much!” said Alice, as she swam about, trying to find her way out. I shall be punished for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/i-wish-i-hadn-t-cried-so-much-said-alice-as-she-swam-about-trying-to/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

[Explore all 644 Lewis Carroll quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

## More Alice quotes

> [“How was she supposed to bear the prospect of never seeing him again? Never seeing his face light up simply because she had walked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jojo-moyes/how-was-she-supposed-to-bear-the-prospect-of-never-seeing-him-again/)

[Jojo Moyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jojo-moyes/)

> [Every day, I hear a song and I think, 'This would be great to cover on Glee.' I like Led Zeppelin, of course, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salling/every-day-i-hear-a-song-and-i-think-this-would-be-great-to-cover-on/)

[Mark Salling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salling/)

> ['Muppets' is incredibly analog, 'Alice' is very digital.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bobin/muppets-is-incredibly-analog-alice-is-very-digital/)

[James Bobin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bobin/)

> [My kitchen looks like the one from my childhood - very homey, with a little bit of Alice in Wonderland!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paris-hilton/my-kitchen-looks-like-the-one-from-my-childhood-very-homey-with-a/)

[Paris Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paris-hilton/)

> [There was a period of time when I thought I had to be Alice Cooper all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-cooper/there-was-a-period-of-time-when-i-thought-i-had-to-be-alice-cooper/)

[Alice Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-cooper/)

> [I'm sure I've been influenced by every fine writer I've ever read, from Dickens and Austen to Auden and Jane Hirshfield. And also, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-bloom/i-m-sure-i-ve-been-influenced-by-every-fine-writer-i-ve-ever-read/)

[Amy Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-bloom/)

> [Three of my heroes that have gotten clean and sober that I got to ask for advice were Alice Cooper, Nikki Sixx and Zakk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-strauss/three-of-my-heroes-that-have-gotten-clean-and-sober-that-i-got-to-ask/)

[Nita Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-strauss/)

> [“Do we have a hand mirror?' I asked from the kitchen doorway. 'Never use one,' said Lester, examining the date on a carton of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-reynolds-naylor/do-we-have-a-hand-mirror-i-asked-from-the-kitchen-doorway-never-use/)

[Phyllis Reynolds Naylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-reynolds-naylor/)

> [“I wish I could concentrate on dancing Instead of spending so much time pretending I am still in junior high But with Rem, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stasia-ward-kehoe/i-wish-i-could-concentrate-on-dancing-instead-of-spending-so-much/)

[Stasia Ward Kehoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stasia-ward-kehoe/)

> [“Are you afraid of your own shadow?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-schwab/are-you-afraid-of-your-own-shadow/)

[Victoria Schwab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-schwab/)

> [“I don't know what you mean by 'glory,'" Alice said. Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. "Of course you don't---till I tell you. I meant 'there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/i-don-t-know-what-you-mean-by-glory-alice-said-humpty-dumpty-smiled/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

> [I really understand where Alice is coming from - I've been in exactly the same place coming from a small town and knowing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-parker/i-really-understand-where-alice-is-coming-from-i-ve-been-in-exactly/)

[Molly Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-parker/)

> [“the hinder portion scalding-house good eating Curve B in addition to the usual baths and ablutions military police sumptuousness of the washhouse risking misstatements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-barthelme/the-hinder-portion-scalding-house-good-eating-curve-b-in-addition-to/)

[Donald Barthelme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-barthelme/)

> [“She knew what he offered. He would kill her first, with the gun or the knife or his fists if he had to, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-henry/she-knew-what-he-offered-he-would-kill-her-first-with-the-gun-or-the/)

[Christina Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-henry/)

> [Speak in French when you can’t think of the English for a thing-- turn your toes out when you walk--- And remember who you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/speak-in-french-when-you-can-t-think-of-the-english-for-a-thing-turn/)

[Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/)

Browse all 106 Alice quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Alice didn't think that proved it at all; however, she went on: 'And how do you know that you're mad?' 'To begin with,' said the Cat, 'a dog's not mad. You grant that?' 'I suppose so,' said Alice. 'Well then,' the Cat went on, '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.' 'I call it purring, not growling,' said Alice.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Lewis Carroll"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/alice-didn-t-think-that-proved-it-at-all-however-she-went-on-and-how/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Alice"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/alice-didn-t-think-that-proved-it-at-all-however-she-went-on-and-how/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a5/lewis-carroll-324_alice_alice-didn-t-think-that-proved-it-at-all_3022126.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a5/lewis-carroll-324_alice_alice-didn-t-think-that-proved-it-at-all_3022126.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a5/lewis-carroll-324_alice_alice-didn-t-think-that-proved-it-at-all_3022126.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Alice didn't think that proved it at all; however, she went on: 'And how do you know that you're mad?' 'To…” — Lewis Carroll",
                "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": "Lewis Carroll",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Alice didn't think that proved it...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/alice-didn-t-think-that-proved-it-at-all-however-she-went-on-and-how/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/alice-didn-t-think-that-proved-it-at-all-however-she-went-on-and-how/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
