Clever Quote by Scott Westerfeld
“The world rests upon a turtle, which itself stands on the back of an elephant!” Alek tried not to laugh. “Then what does the elephant stand on, madam?” “Don’t try to be clever, young man.” She narrowed her eyes. “It’s elephants all the way down!”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, 2005
A whimsical dialogue illustrates the endless chain of foundational myths, humorously exposing the absurdity of trying to find an ultimate base.
In simple terms: A joke about infinite foundations reveals absurdity.
Key Takeaway
Question the search for ultimate foundations.
Themes
humor
philosophy
absurdity
Mood
playful
ironic
Type
fiction
humorous
When to use this quote
- debates about origins
- light‑hearted banter
Key Concepts
foundational myths
infinite regress
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the “elephant” metaphor suggest about belief systems?
- How does humor help confront existential questions?
![“There was another reason [she] took her books whenever they went away. They were her home when she was somewhere strange. They were familiar voices, friends that never quarreled with her, clever, powerful friends -- daring and knowledgeable, tried and tested adventurers who had traveled far and…” quote by Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/639/cornelia-funke-908_adventurer_there-was-another-reason-she-took-her-bo_3074.jpg)
