By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
J. K. RowlingRead
Without cunning, there is no innovation. Without ambition, there is no accomplishment.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Innovation requires cleverness, and success necessitates ambition.
This quote highlights the essential qualities needed for achieving great things in life. It emphasizes that without the clever and strategic thinking often referred to as 'cunning', one cannot create or innovate effectively. Furthermore, ambition is portrayed as a vital driving force that propels individuals towards their goals, suggesting that both traits are crucial for accomplishment and progress in any endeavor.
Themes
InnovationAmbitionSuccessCunningAccomplishment
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to inspire young entrepreneurs.
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.
J. K. RowlingRead
Depression isn't just being a bit sad. It's feeling nothing. It's not wanting to be alive anymore.
J. K. RowlingRead
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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What makes authentic disciples is not visions, ecstasies, biblical mastery of chapter and verse, or spectacular success in the ministry, but a capacity for faithfulness. Buffeted by the fickle winds of failure, battered by their own unruly emotions, and bruised by rejection and ridicule, authentic disciples may have stumbled and frequently fallen, endured lapses and relapses, gotten handcuffed to the fleshpots and wandered into a far county. Yet, they kept coming back to Jesus.
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Curiosity is the lust of the mind.
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What we usually do to great men and women is relegate them to homogenised heroism. Their words and actions become soundbites and images in a way that gives us an excuse not to act bravely in our own lives.
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Don't you find that in a weak physique it is difficult to control the sex - appetite or anger?
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Well, I think we tried very hard not to be overconfident, because when you get overconfident, that's when something snaps up and bites you.
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