For nonsense, as Chesterton liked to tell us, is a way of looking at existence that is akin to religious humility and wonder.
Alice thought the whole thing very absurd, but they all looked so grave that she did not dare to laugh; and, as she could not think of anything to say, she simply bowed, and took the thimble, looking as solemn as she could.
Every adventure requires a first step.
Really, Dinah ought to have taught you better manners! You ought, Dinah, you know you ought!
If it had grown up, ‘she said to herself, ‘it would have made a dreadfully ugly child: but it makes rather a handsome pig, I think.’ And she began thinking over other children she knew, who might do very well as pigs, and was just saying to herself, ’if one only know the right way to change them -.
In that direction... lives a Hatter, and in that direction... lives a March Hare. Visit either you like: they’re both mad.
I kept his letters in a sandalwood box and covered them every day with the flowers I gathered in the garden.
I couldn’t afford to learn it,” said the Mock Turtle with a sigh. “I only took the regular course.” “What was that?” inquired Alice. “Reeling and Writhing, of course, to begin with,” the Mock Turtle replied; “and then the different branches of Arithmetic – Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision.
And the Gryphon added “Come, let’s hear some of your adventures.” “I could tell you my adventures – beginning from this morning,” said Alice a little timidly; “but it’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.
Can you do Division? Divide a loaf by a knife – what’s the answer to that?” “I suppose – ” Alice was beginning, but the Red Queen answered for her. “Bread-and-butter, of course. Try another Subtraction sum. Take a bone from a dog: what remains?
She thought of herself, “I wish the creatures wouldn’t be so easily offended!
He was overwhelmed by the beauty of the world. Beside that nothing seemed to matter.
Really, now you ask me,” said Alice, very much confused, “I don’t think – – ” “Then you shouldn’t talk,” said the Hatter.
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.
Come, my head’s free at last!” said Alice in a tone of delight, which changed into alarm in another moment, when she found that her shoulders were nowhere to be found: all she could see, when she looked down, was an immense length of neck, which seemed to rise like a stalk out of a sea of green leaves that lay far below her.
Yes, but then I came and rescued her!” the White Knight replied.
Don’t interrupt. I’m going to tell you all your flaws.
Hold your tongue, Ma!′ said the young crab, a little snappishly. ‘You’re enough to try the patience of an oyster!
Ah, my dear! Let this be a lesson to you never to lose your temper!
Children yet, the tale to hear, Eager eye and willing ear, Lovingly shall nestle near. In a Wonderland they lie, Dreaming as the days go by, Dreaming as the summers die: Ever drifting down the stream – Lingering in the golden gleam – Life, what is it but a dream?
I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”