‘It is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.’ – Albus Dumbledore
The entire Harry Potter series is based on the power of choice. Voldemort made a choice when he marked Harry rather than Neville. Snape made a choice when he allied himself with Dumbledore. Harry made a choice when he followed Quirrell through the trap-door. Ron and Hermione chose to go with him. Every single Hogwarts student ultimately chose their own House.And this quote is possibly the most important piece of advice J.K. Rowling has ever given us. And if you are of the creative mindset, don’t let your talent go to waste because you believe you’re not good enough. The best writer in the world might never publish anything because they’re too afraid of failure, whereas someone with a fraction of their abilities becomes wildly successful because they chose to make an effort, and fought tooth and nail for every word they wrote. Your life is not defined by your pre-existing abilities, your looks, or your surroundings. You have the power to choose the person you want to become.
‘If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.’ – Sirius Black
Sirius Black was a broken man, but his heart was always in the right place.This piece of advice, which broke up an argument between Ron and Hermione in Goblet of Fire (about house-elves, of course), has so much real-world relevance. Look at any authority figure — whether it be a politician, a celebrity, a teacher, a parent or a public service officer — and ask yourself: how does this person treat those over whom he or she holds power?Someone can be nice and friendly when they want something from you, but how about when they hold something you want or need? Consider that, whenever you’re unsure about a person’s intentions.
‘Don’t let the Muggles get you down.’ – Ron Weasley
This is an unremarkable quote at first glance, but here’s why it’s important: as Harry Potter fans, we believe in the strength of hope, the value of dreams, and the power of imagination. That makes us capable of extraordinary things.Unfortunately the world can be a dark and bitter place. Your dreams can seem impossible, your hopes can seem futile. There is so much negativity pressing in from all sides, people telling you to give up, to accept your lot, to fall into mediocrity.
‘Perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it.’ – Albus Dumbledore
This is a wonderfully provocative comment from J.K. Rowling’s #1 mouthpiece, Albus Dumbledore. After all, looking at the state of the world, are the ones who seek power and glory really the ones best suited to set the moral and legal standards we live by?Of course to get power, you usually have to seek it, so it’s a tough standard to set for humanity. It’s hard to get attention just by being a decent person (although not impossible, as history has proven). But to be a leader, to speak for others, you first have to allow those others to speak. To lead, you have to listen. To properly wield authority, you have to let go of your ego. It’s not too much to ask.
‘The thing about growing up with Fred and George is that you sort of start thinking anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.’ – Ginny Weasley
