By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
J. K. RowlingRead
The spells are made up. I have met people who assure me, very seriously, that they are trying to do them, and I can assure them, just as seriously, that they don’t work.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that beliefs or practices that lack evidence are invalid, regardless of how earnestly they are held.
In this quote, J.K. Rowling emphasizes the importance of skepticism toward unfounded practices, such as spells, which some people may genuinely believe in. She points out that despite their conviction, claims without solid support are not to be taken seriously, encouraging a critical approach to beliefs and actions that are not rooted in reality.
Themes
BeliefSkepticismRealitySpellsEvidence
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate about superstitions, one might reference this quote to advocate for critical thinking.
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?
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The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed.
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