You have the power to secure a thousand things which to us common mortals only the gift of imagination pictures as attainable." "You believe that happiness is like wealth, and that the happiest person is the one who receives the largest number of the gifts of fortune," answered the Queen.

"The contrary, I think, can be easily proved.

The maxim that the more we have the less we need desire, is also false, though in this world there are only a certain number of desirable things.

He who already possesses one of ten solidi which are to be divided, ought really to desire only nine, and therefore would be poorer by a wish than another who has none.

True, it cannot be denied that the gods have burdened or endowed me with a greater number of perishable gifts than you and many others.