--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have, alas, only one illusion left, and…" description: "\"I have, alas, only one illusion left, and that is the Archbishop of Canterbury.\" — Sydney Smith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcf/sydney-smith-6523_alas_i-have-alas-only-one-illusion-left-and-t_2476719.png" --- # I have, alas, only one illusion left, and that is the… ![“I have, alas, only one illusion left, and that is the Archbishop of Canterbury.” quote by Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcf/sydney-smith-6523_alas_i-have-alas-only-one-illusion-left-and-t_2476719.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcf/sydney-smith-6523_alas_i-have-alas-only-one-illusion-left-and-t_2476719.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcf/sydney-smith-6523_alas_i-have-alas-only-one-illusion-left-and-t_2476719.png) > “I have, alas, only one illusion left, and that is the Archbishop of Canterbury.” [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker mocks the illusion of authority, suggesting even high positions can be empty. **In simple terms:** Power can be an illusion. Key Takeaway Question authority critically. Themes authority illusion skepticism Mood skeptical humorous Type philosophical satirical When to use this quote - leadership - institutional trust - public discourse Key Concepts political power religious hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - What makes authority legitimate? - How do you discern real power? A Different Perspective Authority may have genuine influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alas/) [Alas Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alas-illusion-818817/) [Archbishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/archbishop/) [Archbishop Canterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/archbishop-canterbury-818814/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Illusion Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion-left-818815/) [Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left/) [Left Archbishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left-archbishop-818816/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) ## Related quotes > [“On December 29 four heavily armed men smashed through a side door to Canterbury Cathedral with an ax. The archbishop of Canterbury was waiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-jones/on-december-29-four-heavily-armed-men-smashed-through-a-side-door-to/) [Dan Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-jones/) > [ In the aftermath of the recent wave action in the Indian Ocean, even the archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williamson \[sic\], proved himself a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/in-the-aftermath-of-the-recent-wave-action-in-the-indian-ocean-even/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [In my time as Archbishop of Canterbury I've seen a growing sense of unity and mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carey/in-my-time-as-archbishop-of-canterbury-i-ve-seen-a-growing-sense-of/) [George Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carey/) > [Is there a bigger hypocrite than Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the CEO of 'Lords Bank?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-edmonds/is-there-a-bigger-hypocrite-than-justin-welby-the-archbishop-of/) [Noel Edmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-edmonds/) > [“Thankfulness,” the Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, said, “is a soil in which pride does not easily grow.”9”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brooks/thankfulness-the-archbishop-of-canterbury-michael-ramsey-said-is-a/) [David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brooks/) > [“The endless fights among the faithful had prompted Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, to write that “unity is a gospel imperative when we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-miles/the-endless-fights-among-the-faithful-had-prompted-rowan-williams-the/) [Sara Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-miles/) > [This is to be observed of the Bishop of London, that, though apparently of a spirit somewhat austere, there is in his idiosyncrasy a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/this-is-to-be-observed-of-the-bishop-of-london-that-though-apparently/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [Well the wedding in the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury was a fairy tale and there was a huge public impress, investment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-holden/well-the-wedding-in-the-words-of-the-archbishop-of-canterbury-was-a/) [Anthony Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-holden/) > [My grandmother was utterly convinced I'd wind up as the Archbishop of Canterbury. And, to be honest, I've never entirely ruled it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-grant/my-grandmother-was-utterly-convinced-i-d-wind-up-as-the-archbishop-of/) [Hugh Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-grant/) > [It is a really good question. The other day I was praying over something as I was running, and I ended up saying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-welby/it-is-a-really-good-question-the-other-day-i-was-praying-over/) [Justin Welby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-welby/) > [To suggest that God specifically created a worm to torture small African children is blasphemy as far as I can see. The Archbishop of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-attenborough/to-suggest-that-god-specifically-created-a-worm-to-torture-small/) [David Attenborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-attenborough/) > [One person I do feel a little sorry for, though, is the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most important clergyman in Britain and he's only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-condell/one-person-i-do-feel-a-little-sorry-for-though-is-the-archbishop-of/) [Pat Condell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-condell/) > [The Jackdaw sat in the Cardinal's chair! Bishop and Abbot and Prior were there, Many a monk and many a friar, Many a knight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-harris-barham/the-jackdaw-sat-in-the-cardinal-s-chair-bishop-and-abbot-and-prior/) [Richard Harris Barham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-harris-barham/) > [I had a full exorcism performed on me from an archbishop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zak-bagans/i-had-a-full-exorcism-performed-on-me-from-an-archbishop/) [Zak Bagans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zak-bagans/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) ## More by Sydney Smith > [Live always in the best company when you read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/live-always-in-the-best-company-when-you-read/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [Scotland: That garret of the earth - that knuckle-end of England - that land of Calvin, oatcakes, and sulfur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/scotland-that-garret-of-the-earth-that-knuckle-end-of-england-that/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [My living in Yorkshire was so far out of the way, that it was eleven miles away from a lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/my-living-in-yorkshire-was-so-far-out-of-the-way-that-it-was-eleven/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [Poverty is no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/poverty-is-no-disgrace-to-a-man-but-it-is-confoundedly-inconvenient/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/a-comfortable-house-is-a-great-source-of-happiness-it-ranks/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [How can a bishop marry? How can he flirt? The most he can say is "I will see you in the vestry after service."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/how-can-a-bishop-marry-how-can-he-flirt-the-most-he-can-say-is-i-will/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/it-is-the-greatest-of-all-mistakes-to-do-nothing-because-you-can-only/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [Silence is a girl's loudest shout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/silence-is-a-girl-s-loudest-shout/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/a-great-deal-of-talent-is-lost-to-the-world-for-want-of-a-little/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [A man who wishes to make his way in life could do no better than go through the world with a boiling tea-kettle in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/a-man-who-wishes-to-make-his-way-in-life-could-do-no-better-than-go/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [ \[T\]he 47th proposition in Euclid might now be voted down with as much ease as any proposition in politics; and therefore if Lord Hawkesbury… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/t-he-47th-proposition-in-euclid-might-now-be-voted-down-with-as-much/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [Be what nature intended you for, and you will succeed; be anything else and you will be ten thousand times worse than nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/be-what-nature-intended-you-for-and-you-will-succeed-be-anything-else/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [To business that we love we rise bedtime, and go to't with delight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/to-business-that-we-love-we-rise-bedtime-and-go-to-t-with-delight/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [The schoolboy whips his taxed top; the beardless youth manages his taxed horse with a taxed bridle on a taxed road; and the dying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/the-schoolboy-whips-his-taxed-top-the-beardless-youth-manages-his/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [I always fear that creation will expire before teatime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/i-always-fear-that-creation-will-expire-before-teatime/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) [Explore all 98 Sydney Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) ## More Alas quotes > [“Muchos de los ángeles de Dios no tienen alas...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-n-harris/muchos-de-los-ngeles-de-dios-no-tienen-alas/) [José N. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-n-harris/) > [We are all potentially such sick men. The sanest and best of us are of one clay with lunatics and prison-inmates. And whenever we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/we-are-all-potentially-such-sick-men-the-sanest-and-best-of-us-are-of/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Time, time - that is our greatest master! Alas, like Ugolino, time devours its own children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-berlioz/time-time-that-is-our-greatest-master-alas-like-ugolino-time-devours/) [Hector Berlioz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-berlioz/) > [Removing prejudices is, alas! too often removing the boundary of a delightful near prospect in order to let in a shockingly extensive one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/removing-prejudices-is-alas-too-often-removing-the-boundary-of-a/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-pharcellus-church/yes-virginia-there-is-a-santa-claus-he-exists-as-certainly-as-love/) [Francis Pharcellus Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-pharcellus-church/) > [Alas, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by, nor will piety give any stay to wrinkles and pressing old age and untamable death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/alas-postumus-the-fleeting-years-slip-by-nor-will-piety-give-any-stay/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Sensible Catholics have for generations been ignoring the views on contraception held by reactionary old men in the Vatican, but alas, since it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-grayling/sensible-catholics-have-for-generations-been-ignoring-the-views-on/) [A.C. Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-grayling/) > [The flesh is sad, alas, and I have read all the books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-phane-mallarm/the-flesh-is-sad-alas-and-i-have-read-all-the-books/) [Stephane Mallarme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-phane-mallarm/) > [Alas! all music jars when the soul's out of tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/alas-all-music-jars-when-the-soul-s-out-of-tune/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [In spite of the honestest efforts to annihilate my I-ity, or merge it in what the world doubtless considers my better half, I still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-welsh-carlyle/in-spite-of-the-honestest-efforts-to-annihilate-my-i-ity-or-merge-it/) [Jane Welsh Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-welsh-carlyle/) > [The dumpling is indeed of more ancient institution, and of foreign origin; but alas, what were those dumplings? Nothing but a few lentils sodden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-institution-and-of-foreign/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [“World is so beautiful, but alas! There are so many assholes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/world-is-so-beautiful-but-alas-there-are-so-many-assholes/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Ideally a painter (and, generally, an artist) should not become conscious of his insights: without taking the detour through his reflective processes, and incomprehensibly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/ideally-a-painter-and-generally-an-artist-should-not-become-conscious/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [Alas! we makeA ladder of our thoughts, where angels step,But sleep ourselves at the foot: our high resolvesLook down upon our slumbering acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letitia-elizabeth-landon/alas-we-makea-ladder-of-our-thoughts-where-angels-step-but-sleep/) [Letitia Elizabeth Landon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letitia-elizabeth-landon/) [Browse all 453 Alas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alas/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have, alas, only one illusion left, and that is the Archbishop of Canterbury.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sydney Smith" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/i-have-alas-only-one-illusion-left-and-that-is-the-archbishop-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alas" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/i-have-alas-only-one-illusion-left-and-that-is-the-archbishop-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcf/sydney-smith-6523_alas_i-have-alas-only-one-illusion-left-and-t_2476719.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcf/sydney-smith-6523_alas_i-have-alas-only-one-illusion-left-and-t_2476719.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcf/sydney-smith-6523_alas_i-have-alas-only-one-illusion-left-and-t_2476719.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have, alas, only one illusion left, and that is the Archbishop of Canterbury.” — Sydney Smith", "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": "Sydney Smith", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have, alas, only one illusion...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/i-have-alas-only-one-illusion-left-and-that-is-the-archbishop-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/i-have-alas-only-one-illusion-left-and-that-is-the-archbishop-of/#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 } } ] } ```