By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
J. K. RowlingRead
Ultimately, we all have to decide for ourselves what constitutes failure, but the world is quite eager to give you a set of criteria if you let it.
Interpretation
We define our own failures, but external influences can shape our perceptions of them.
This quote by J.K. Rowling emphasizes the importance of personal agency in determining what failure means to us. While society often imposes its criteria for success and failure, it is ultimately up to each individual to discern their own standards, and not be overly swayed by external opinions or pressures.
In practice
This quote can inspire a discussion in a workshop about personal goals.
By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
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.
Depression isn't just being a bit sad. It's feeling nothing. It's not wanting to be alive anymore.
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.
Imagine losing fingernails, Harry! That really puts our sufferings into perspective, doesn't it?
The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed.
Every man must decide for himself whether he shall master his world or be mastered by it.
Sometimes when I'm talking, my words can't keep up with my thoughts. I wonder why we think faster than we speak. Probably so we can think twice.
Advice to intellectuals: let no-one represent you.
Even today, I dare not say that I have reached a state of achievement. I'm still learning, for learning is boundless.
I'm just suggesting that when you're faced with fear and anxiety, don't medicate. Meditate instead.
We have the power to do any damn fool thing we want to do, and we seem to do it about every ten minutes.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.