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The master was an old Turtle--we used to call him Tortoise--' Why did you call him Tortoise, if he wasn't one?' Alice asked. We called him Tortoise because he taught us,' said the Mock Turtle angrily; 'really you are very dull!' You ought to be ashamed of yourself for asking such a simple question,' added the Gryphon; and then they both sat silent and looked at poor Alice, who felt ready to sink into the earth.
Lewis Carroll
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote illustrates the importance of perspective and understanding over mere appearances.

In this whimsical exchange from Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', the characters discuss the peculiar naming of the Tortoise, which is based on the wisdom he imparts rather than his actual form. This highlights a deeper lesson about the significance of knowledge and the sometimes arbitrary nature of labels, encouraging us to look beyond the surface to appreciate the true value of someone’s contributions.

Themes

WisdomKnowledgePerspectiveUnderstandingLabels

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a discussion about the importance of wisdom in education.

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