Alas Quotes
Wistful, old-fashioned lines that begin with 'alas'
These quotes share the gently mournful word 'alas,' used to express weariness with the flesh and books, confusion over time's passage, and dry commentary on manners. One classic line insists that time doesn't pass us by, we're the ones who go.
The Oxford manner is, alas, indefinable; I was going to say indefensible.
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Often, alas, the most detestable kind of bourgeois is the anti-bourgeois kind of bourgeois.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What famous poetic line uses the word 'alas' here?
One quote laments that the flesh is sad and that the speaker has read all the books, a well-known expression of weary exhaustion.
What does the quote about time and 'going' mean?
It flips the usual saying that time goes, insisting instead that time stays still while we are the ones who move on.
Is there a quote criticizing manners or class?
Yes, one line calls the 'Oxford manner' both indefinable and, jokingly, indefensible, poking fun at overly refined behavior.
What kind of hypocrisy does one quote describe?
It points out the irony of people who present themselves as anti-establishment while still behaving in a conventional, bourgeois way.
Where can I find more literary or reflective quotes?
Browse our Going quotes for more lines on movement, change, and passing time.
Others use 'alas' for social commentary, poking fun at people who criticize convention while quietly following it themselves. For more reflective lines, see our Books quotes.
