"If I had but the time and you had but the brain" is a quote from Lewis Carroll's whimsical poem, The Hunting of the Snark, which explores the absurdity and complexity of quests and pursuits. It reflects the idea that neither party has enough time or intelligence to succeed in their strange adventure, highlighting the humorous and nonsensical tone of the poem.

Carroll's work is a playful satire of exploration and the human desire for achievement. It combines whimsical language with a sense of frustration and futility, emphasizing that certain endeavors are unfeasible due to limitations in time and mental capacity, adding a layer of humor and philosophical reflection about ambition and the nature of pursuit.