Ten of the Best Dumbledore Quotes
Albus Dumbledore indisputably has some of the best quotes of the Harry Potter series. His remarks range from inspirational to cleverly humorous and are always carefully crafted and witty. Here are ten of Dumbledore’s best quotes. Of course, there are far more than ten, but this list is just a start. Feel free to post some of your favorite quotes in the comments section.
- The following is a quote that J.K. Rowling herself recently said was her favorite slice of Dumbledore wisdom.
Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” – The Deathly Hallows
- As a writer, this next quote is one of my personal favorites. The strength of words is, after all, what has brought Rowling’s books to life in the minds of so many readers, so it’s fitting that she had inserted a quote into her work about that strength.
Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it.” – The Deathly Hallows
- Fear is talked about often throughout the books. Fear of a name, fear of fear itself… these types of fear are extensions on the fear of the unknown that most people suffer when confronted with the prospect of death. Dumbledore, as with everything, had something to say to address and minimize that particular fear.
To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” – The Sorcerer’s Stone
- One of the dominant themes in the books is that love is the greatest source of power. A mother’s love is strong enough to protect her child even after she is gone, and sacrificing yourself for the people you love can give you, in a sense, immortality.
Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and above all, those who live without love.” – The Deathly Hallows
- Human emotions carry a connectivity that brings together societies and bounds individuals. When struggles arise, and depression sets in, it is hard to believe that things will ever feel right again. Rowling created Dementors as a representation of depression. She also peppered the pages of her novels with words of encouragement and hope. One of the best examples of this is through one of Dumbledore’s most widely quoted lines.
Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Prisoner of Azkaban
- Choices between right and wrong are a struggle in life, especially when you know that the wrong path will lead to a lot less of a struggle than the right path will.
We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” – The Goblet of Fire
- When losing a loved one, it’s difficult to understand why that person was removed from your life. The road to recovery after a tragic loss is a hard one that we will all have to travel at some point in our lives. Dumbledore illustrates this path perfectly.
Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.” – The Goblet of Fire
- People are funny this way…
People find it easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right.” – The Half-Blood Prince
- JKR gave a lot of people childhood memories that they won’t soon forget. The books take a lot of us right back to the younger years of our lives, and I like to think of this quote as a reminder not to forget our youth.
Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels, but old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young… and I seem to have forgotten lately.” – The Order of the Phoenix
- Perhaps one of Dumbledore’s most famous quotes, how could we not include this one on the list? It’s simplistic and straightforward but hits close to home.
It is our choices, Harry, that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.” – The Chamber of Secrets
