While every character of Alice in Wonderland has its uniqueness, Cheshire Cat occupies a special place in the minds of readers. With his sly grin and prudent personality, he will keep you glued to your book. But what adds to Chesire Cat’s charm is his enigmatic words that offer Alice useful advice along her way. If you loved this character while watching the movie, these Cheshire Cat quotes will make your day.
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Alice in Wonderland Cheshire Cat Quotes That Are Worth Remembering
Cheshire Cat is one of the best creations of Lewis Caroll. He is street-smart and knows the laws of the dream world better than everyone else. One of his most impressive traits is his ability and disappear and reappear as she pleases. Now have a look at these trippy Cheshire cat quotes on imagination, self-reflection, optimism, and madness.
“We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
This is one of the most iconic Cheshire Cat quotes as it teaches an important life lesson to us. Picture yourself as Alice who has just reached Wonderland. She is baffled by everything taking place in this strange land. She is clueless about which way to go or whom to trust.
When Alice is in such a confused state, suddenly Cheshire Cat comes in front of her and drops this piece of advice. She shows reluctance in following the hare or the hatter as both appear mad to her. She admits that she does not wish to deal with mad people. To this, Cheshire Cat replies that even he is mad to a certain extent and so is everyone else around him.
But what does the cat mean by these words? If you think deeply, this quote is a celebration of the insanity of human existence. Unless Cherise Cat raised questions about Alice’s sanity, she felt she was the only sane person there. So, instead of assuming others are mad, we must accept that we all have some insanities.
“How do you run from what is inside your head?”
This Cheshire Cat quote depicts the deep feelings of the most mesmerizing feline in the world of fiction. Cheshire Cat declares that we can never run from our thoughts.
You can run from a place or a situation, but there’s no hiding from your innermost thoughts. Even if you may succeed in suppressing some thoughts temporarily, they will keep coming back.
Hence, according to Cheshire Cat, people should practice self-reflection and face their inner demons. It is only when you address the most disturbing thoughts that you will achieve mental peace.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”
The moment when Alice asks for directions from Cheshire Cat, his response is one of the most memorable Cheshire Cat quotes. The reason why this quote became so popular is not just the fact that it’s funny.
Alice couldn’t figure out which path to take and she approached Cheshire Cat. Instead of showing him a specific road, he asked her which way she’d like to go. When she responded that she didn’t care much, he told her that she was free to take any road.
Several human philosophies interpret this line in different ways. The path you choose in life is what makes all the difference. It shapes you as an individual and decides your future. So, instead of asking others, you should finalize a path for yourself.
“Every adventure requires a first step.”
When you seek some extraordinary experience in life, you have to gather the courage to take the first flight. Cheshire Cat – Alice’s friend, philosopher, and guide – says the same about going on a remarkable adventure.
Adventures are necessary in the life of every human to kill boredom, feel alive, and grow. Cats have an adventurous nature and they don’t mind taking risks. So, Cheshire Cat advises us to be fearless when it comes to going on an adventure.
Why are adventures so crucial and why must you pick adventurous journeys? If you sit at home and wait for interesting things to happen in your life, they will never happen. So, you must be in charge and take that first step, no matter how impossible it seems. Only then you will make thrilling memories that will last a lifetime.
Keep in mind that the first step is the hardest and the most significant one in any journey. Some people are never able to take it and they spend their life in regret. But for the ones that can take the initial step, the rest of the venture becomes more exciting than scary.
“I am not crazy; my reality is just different from yours.”
We are quick to label a person as ‘crazy’ if they do not behave the way we do. It is a word that many people use negatively to address someone who’s different. So, this comment by Cheshire Cat speaks for those creative souls who don’t abide by the rules of society. On being called ‘crazy’, he is quick to point out that he is not insane but non-identical.
Most people lack the wisdom and acceptance to understand that there is no one way of seeing the world. Whenever society comes across a creative and free-spirited individual, it wants to crush that person’s individuality.
However, you should remember that there’s a fine line separating geniuses from the so-called crazies. Every genius like Charlie Chaplin, Michaelangelo, and Pythagoras was once labeled ‘crazy’. But now the world remembers them for their extraordinary contributions – be it in the field of mathematics or art.
Therefore, don’t let anyone tell you you’re a misfit or an eccentric. Your differences are what make you original and authentic.
Read on to come across some more memorable Cheshire Cat quotes.
“I went to a hunting party once; I didn’t like it. Terrible people. They all started hunting me!”
This is one of the most thought-provoking Cheshire Cat quotes Alice in Wonderland. It talks about the plights of being an animal in the human world. Cheshire Cat here points out the weird hobbies that humans have and they often involve inflicting pain on other creatures.
Hunting was among the most popular sports for men in the ancient times. Even if there are strict laws against hunting, it still takes place secretly in some places. Here Cheshire Cat opens up about his experience of attending a hunting party. He felt that his life was threatened as people began chasing him.
Cheshire Cat’s use of the adjective ‘terrible’ reflects the cruel act of killing innocent animals for the sake of pleasure. So, the quote should serve as a reminder that no human has the right to physically hurt animals. Like us, they too are rightful inhabitants of our planet and deserve to live their lives freely.
“Imagination is the only weapon in the war with reality.”
Looking for Cheshire Cat quotes that teach Alice how she must explore her imaginative self? This line delineates how imagination is the best defense against the sordid reality of human existence.
Growing up, we all realize that life is full of challenges, disappointments, and adversities. While we can’t escape the harsh truths of life, living in a bubble helps us cope with unpleasant situations. It is this ability to explore concepts and ideas that don’t exist in our current life that we call imagination.
Imagination is essential to deal with the mundane realities of life and to make life enjoyable. Moreover, every idea, every change and every new opportunity starts with a mere thought in the mind. Hence, we all need to be a little imaginative to live our lives fully and take a break occasionally.
“I don’t like the looks of it: however it can kiss my hand if it likes”. “I’d rather not.”
Although among the less famous Cheshire Cat quotes, this remark is no less significant. It celebrates the carefree attitude of Cheshire Cat. He openly expresses his lack of interest when he is in no mood to kiss someone’s hand.
Cheshire Cat is his boss and he dislikes and likes anyone he wishes. As a cat, he has the confidence to disapprove of any person and yet continue to be adorable. He is with Alice only because he likes the little girl.
So, this line shows us that, unlike a dog, a cat does not like being told what to do. His only aim in life is not to be petted. His plain denial is replete with polite sarcasm and there is a lesson we all can learn. Hence, even if the line doesn’t have a deep philosophy, it teaches us to share our thoughts fearlessly.
“Everyone I love dies violently; abnormally. I’m cursed! Why continue? I will only hurt others.”
Other than his wit and intelligence, Cheshire Cat also has an emotional side that rarely surfaces. This quote shows him in a whole new light as he mourns the loss of his dear ones.
Chesire Cat is of the opinion that anybody special to him must suffer. All those whom he has loved dearly are dead now. What perplexes him is the circumstances of the deaths of his close ones.
As all of Cheshire Cat’s loved ones have had unusual, sudden, and violent demises, he finds it hard to move on. He cannot but wonder that he is cursed. So, at this point in his life, he thinks it’s better to be on his own.
As Cheshire Cat believes he brings bad luck, he is scared to get attached to someone. It is only because he does not want anyone else to die. That he is engrossed in sad thoughts proves that he isn’t devoid of feelings and has a soft heart.
“Everything’s got a moral, if only you can find it.”
This quote by Cheshire Cat enlightens the world to learn valuable lessons from big and small experiences in life. A philosophical character, Cheshire Cat explains how even a small incident can teach you a crucial lesson.
Life has its unique ways of teaching people the ways of the world. Sometimes, the lessons are so subtle that you may not realize its significance. But every story you read and every new city you visit will enrich you in some way.
So, if someone is a deep thinker, no experience in life is too trivial for them. They can gather wisdom from even the simplest of events.
“You are too naïve if you do believe life is innocent laughter and fun.”
Here’s another one of the best Alice in Wonderland quotes Cheshire Cat that highlights the pangs of mortal life. He says that nobody is more naïve than the person who believes life is all about having fun.
As children, everyone is fascinated with the idea of growing up and having the freedom to make their own decisions. But when you step into adult life, you realize that life is full of ups and downs. You receive a major shock when you struggle to earn your living and face the challenges life offers you.
Then there are other issues that can steal your laughter and make you upset. Ailments and deaths of near and dear ones are two such unavoidable circumstances that nobody can avoid. So, overall, you will have happy and sad moments in life and you must face both with simplicity.
If you are too naïve, it will be tough for you to survive in this cruel world. You should also not be too serious about life as then you can’t enjoy the blissful moments. So, the best approach is to go with the flow and have limited expectations.
Final thoughts
So, now you know why Alice chose Cheshire Cat as her spiritual mentor. The sarcastic and strange guiding angel makes sure Alice doesn’t get lost. No wonder Cheshire Cat quotes are so brilliant that they are bound to inspire you. Therefore, save these quotes and refer to them whenever you are stuck in an unknown world like Alice.