By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
J. K. RowlingRead
Those who choose not to empathize enable real monsters, for without ever committing an act of outright evil ourselves we collude with it through our apathy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Empathy is crucial in combating evil; apathy can make us complicit in wrongdoing.
This quote by J.K. Rowling underscores the importance of empathy and the danger of apathy. It suggests that when individuals fail to empathize with the suffering of others, they inadvertently empower harmful actions and individuals, thus becoming complicit in evil, even if they do not actively participate in wrongdoing themselves. The message serves as a call to action, urging people to be more aware and empathetic to prevent the rise of negativity and evil in society.
Themes
EmpathyApathyEvilMonstersComplicitySuffering
In practice
Example use cases
During a social justice speech to highlight the importance of empathy in activism.
More from J. K. Rowling
All quotes →Where are you heading, if you’ve got the choice?” James lifted an invisible sword. “‘Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!’ Like my dad.” Snape made a small, disparaging noise. James turned on him. “Got a problem with that?” “No,” said Snape, though his slight sneer said otherwise. “If you’d rather be brawny than brainy —” “Where’re you hoping to go, seeing as you’re neither?” interjected Sirius.
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Depression isn't just being a bit sad. It's feeling nothing. It's not wanting to be alive anymore.
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I tell you, that dragon's the most horrible animal I've ever met, but the way Hagrid goes on about it, you'd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit.
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Imagine losing fingernails, Harry! That really puts our sufferings into perspective, doesn't it?
J. K. RowlingRead
The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed.
J. K. RowlingRead
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