By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
J. K. RowlingRead
It is perfectly possible to live a very moral life without a belief in God, and I think it's perfectly possible to live a life peppered with ill-doing and believe in God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Moral living is independent of one's belief in God, highlighting the complexity of morality.
This quote by J.K. Rowling explores the idea that morality is not solely derived from religious belief. She asserts that individuals can lead ethical lives without faith, while also acknowledging that belief in God does not guarantee moral behavior. This perspective challenges the notion that religion is the only source of morality, suggesting that human values and actions can exist independently of religious doctrine.
Themes
MoralityGodBeliefEthicsLife
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a debate about the role of religion in ethics.
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.
J. K. RowlingRead
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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