10 Powerful Quotes of Albus Dumbledore
98Dumbledore in the Great Hall
10 Most Powerful Quotes of Albus Dumbledore
When readers picture Albus Dumbledore they see a man with bright blue eyes, half-moon glasses perched on a long crooked nose, a tall thin build, flowing robes, a long silver beard tucked neatly into his belt, and a face lined with age and wisdom. Within the magical world of Harry Potter, Albus Percival Wulfic Brian Dumbledore is known for the greatness of his power and the depth of his wisdom. Throughout J.K. Rowling’s seven novels, Dumbledore guides Harry, thwarts evil, and is a hero to many. Furthermore, after revelations about Dumbledore’s past that emerged in The Deathly Hallows, debates continue to rage over Dumbledore’s motivations (but this is a discussion for another hub). Dumbledore polarizes fans, yet no matter one’s personal feelings about this character, it is impossible not to admire the wisdom, wittiness, and insight that flow from his many quotes. Through my multiple readings of Rowling’s novels, I have discovered ten quotes that have encouraged me in tough times, changed my outlook on life, and nourished my soul.
1. “After all to the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”
All humans have a fear of death, because we doubt what may come after this life is finished. Is there an afterlife, or is this it? Dumbledore reminds us that there is life after death, and not just any life, but an adventurous life of hope and joy. Perennial philosophy teaches us that the overwhelming consensus of human thought and religion points to the reality of an afterlife.
2. “Do not pity the dead Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.”
Recently while in Chicago, I witnessed a funeral procession that many people stopped to watch drive by. I could see pity in the faces of several people. After walking for less than a minute, I saw a man lying in a side ally covered with newspapers…his jeans torn and filthy, his face aged by the weather and the brutality of life, and his hair matted with muck. This was a man who had been shown little love in life, and though his plight was obvious to all on the street, not one person took pity on his situation. Training my eyes skyward, as they filled with tears, my eyes were eclipsed by skyscrapers…and suddenly I realized that even among those who are working in the offices of corporations, wander some unfortunate souls who are struggling to live a hollow life devoid of love. I pray that society will focus more on what can be done for people; instead of regretting people or events that cannot be saved or changed.
3. “Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.”
This is a message that I believe all of America needs to hear. We live in an age in which politics is divisive instead of unifying. What we must all realize is that conservatives and liberals, republicans and democrats, capitalists and socialists are all striving toward the same ultimate goal: to make this beautiful country we live in a better place. If we take Dumbledore’s advice and open our hearts and minds up to those who think differently than us, then perhaps we will begin to sincerely work together to build better communities, stronger states, and a healing nation for a brighter tomorrow.
4. “It is a curious thing, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.”
This quote by Dumbledore is quickly approved by a brief examination of history. The greatest leaders arose from unexpected backgrounds to lead peoples, tribes, nations, and empires.
5. “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
Dumbledore reminds us that having dreams is important, but focusing on your dreams too much can hinder life every day. We are meant to enjoy life to the full each day! Do not let your dreams for the future suffocate your life in the present.
6. “It is important to fight and fight again, and keep fighting, for only then can evil be kept at bay though never quite eradicated.”
Dumbledore realizes that the world is a dangerous place full of evil, and at times, we must be willing to fight against that evil whether it is slavery, Nazism, communism, or terrorism. We must be willing to confront poverty and brokenness, and we must never give up hope when all seems hopeless. Dumbledore triumphed over Grendelwald and Harry triumphed over Voldemort. Good will triumph over evil.
7. “Dark times lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right.”
Dumbledore says this line to the students at Hogwarts, just after the traumatic death of Cedric and the frightful return of Lord Voldemort. Dumbledore knows that only if everyone is willing to make sacrifices and cling to what is good in a world soon to be engulfed in darkness will victory ever be achieved. Likewise, in a world that is inundated with temptation, we as people must strive to live with integrity and stand up for what we know is right even if we are the only one standing.
8. “It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
In the Harry Potter series many characters judged others by good or bad blood (pure-bloods, half-bloods, and mud-bloods). Other character’s define themselves by their magical abilities or financial situations. Dumbledore reminds us that who we are and the direction of our lives does not depend on our past, the amount of money we make, our parents, our ability to sing, our mental capacity to learn, our looks, or our athletic ability. Rather, it is our choices, whether large or small, that determines our character, personality, and the satisfaction we derive from life.
9. “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
When I lost my cousin in a car accident, when I lost my best friend when he moved away, when my Great Grandmother suddenly died, this quote has reminded me to look at all the good that came from my relationships with these incredible people. Moreover, when you are struggling with anything in life, try to search for the glimmers of hope that can illuminate your heart.
10. “It’s the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.”
In this quote Dumbledore simplifies two of the most common human fears down to uncertainty. In today’s society we crave certainty. We need to know what the weather is going to be so that we can make plans. We need to know that we have a job, shelter, food, something to do, a stable government, a future, and several other things. We cannot see in darkness; therefore, many fear it. And we don’t know exactly what’s coming when we die. Death is something that we must all face and we must face it alone. However, realizing that death itself is not to be feared is a comfortable thought.
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My honest thoughts are thanks so much for brightening my day and lifting my spirits, I love Dumbledore and Quotes, your 10 powerful quotes of Albus Dumbledore are great reminders of important truths. Thanks and Peace :)
I have never read any of the Harry Potter books, so thanks for sharing some of Dumbledore's sayings
Thank you very much Katiem2 for your words of encouragement and I happy that this article made your day better! Dumbledore's quotes have always been special to me in that he can convey large truths in a single sentence. CMHypho, you are welcome and you should try and read the books. The Harry Potter series is fun, moving, and powerful.
I never even thought of reading Harry Potter, but you made me curious about it. I am not sure I will be reading the book, but I do thank you for bringing such good and interesting quotes to my attention.
Welcome to HP, enjoy the experience and share with us your knowledge and your thoughts.
Petra Vlah-the books are well-written and not as kiddish as some would have the public believe, and i hope that maybe one day you will get a chance to read them. And thank you for welcoming to HB, I hope to learn and grow as a writer through this site.
Very interesting! As I read throught the books I remember most of these quotes and thought they were powerful - I never thought of applying them to real life - thanks for opening my eyes!!! I look forward to reading more of your insightful articles!
I like Harry POtter very much. And I found something new here. I never know about the quotes inside this movie. Dumbledore was good character. Thank you so much.
Prasetio
Jarrod a great idea for a hub - taking these quotes and the extrapolating like you done is brilliant, What makes them so purposeful is you don't have to read Harry Potter for the great wisdom you are sharing! Keep up the great writing. My favorite - life to the fullest!
SimeyC-There are several other quotes by Dumbledore that have inspired me or kept life in perspective. Harry Potter along with the Lord of the Rings, have taught me quite a bit about life, people, and truth. Thank you for taking the time to read this article and I am looking forward to reading some of your work.
Prasetio30-Dumbledore was an amazing character and I can't wait to see how his past is going to be portrayed in the first section of the seventh movie! Thank you for your encouraging words and I hope that you will continue to enjoy my hubs, and watching/reading the Harry Potter novels.
billyaustindillon-Thank you for your kind words! Harry Potter has often been discredited as a shallow work, but I believe it is a powerful story that has enthralled a generation not just becuase of its plot, but because it has actual depth. J.K. Rowling spent 10 years planning these novels and poured herself into them. I'm glad that I was able to discuss Dumbledore's quote in a way that could reach those who had not read the novels. Thank you again!
Beautiful beautiful quotes which made me ponder today. Congratulations on your Hubnuggets nomination: http://hubpages.com/_hubnuggets10/hub/HSI-Las-Vega This link will take you to the voting center. Vote and promote your hub. Best of luck!
My favorite quote - "Do not pity the dead Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.”
Definitely words to live by and strive to achieve. A life without love can only be the worst.
Congrats on your nomination!
Great quotes and personal thoughts as well. Congrats on being selected as one of this week's nominees for the HubNugget's Wannabe Contest. Good luck to you!
I love Albus Dumbledore. His wisdom (more than his power) shines through when you read the Harry Potter books. I was really sorry when he was killed in the story.
Congrats in being a Hubnugget nominee. Good luck on your nomination!
Jarrod1240: clever, clever idea for a hub. Nicely done.
Congrats on your hubnugget nomination and welcome to Hubpages.
Excellent hub. I really like the way you've applied Dumbledore's wisdom to real life and your own perspective. It brings the advice through very effectively.
Awesome to read, very enlightening, thank you
really nice !!!! keep up the good work buddy!!!
Excellent quotes. I love Harry Potter and Dumbledore is a great character. I love that you appreciate his wisdom like I do. :)
YO I LOVE HARRY POTTER
ITS ACTUALLY MY WHOLE LIFE!
and for my favorite quotes whenever im asked for them, i always choose something from hp
WOOOOOOOH
Seriously, you have done a phenomenal job of constucting your list. I feel as though Dumblefore is that one person nobody has but everybody wants. He is a god.
thanks dear..... these are the quotes that make us think in a extra ordinary way in a very ordinary life...
One of my favorites are, "It does not matter what we are born, but what we grow to become." I cannot remember which book this is from.
if we really see the deepened thoughts that albus dumbledore thought us, we really appreciate the book itself..it is not just a fictional book, but it is reality itself..
Wow... This is exactly what I was looking for. YOU MADE MY DAY. I love those quotes!!!
thank you for this you honestly made my week i always loved Dumbledore so this just tops it you truly got the best quotes from him brovo
This is so beautiful. I love Harry Potter and love Dumbledore and all his wisdom, but I have never actually gone through all Dumbledore's sayings to find the most meaningful ones. You definitely portrayed Dumbledore well! Brilliant!!!
I am a die hard Harry Potter fan.... and you have done very well with this! Took me back to the first time I read the books and saw the movies. :) Thank you very much!
Really lovely how you've put dumbledores greatest quotes into a real life context xx
i miss Harry Potter :'(
Beautiful insight to some very power quotes by a beloved character.
The blend of magic and real world morals in the Harry Potter series reaches beyond age,race or creedit truly is for eveyone
one of my favorites is "help will always be given at Hogwarts, for those who ask for it"
in this quote
“It is important to fight and fight again, and keep fighting, for only then can evil be kept at bay though never quite eradicated.”
you wrote that evil most always be fought whether its Slavery,Nazism, Terrorism or COMMUNISM.
so explain to me how communism is evil? how can you associate communism with slavery? and how the hell can you be such a hypocrite to write this "If we take Dumbledore’s advice and open our hearts and minds up to those who think differently than us, then perhaps we will begin to sincerely work together to build better communities, stronger states, and a healing nation for a brighter tomorrow." right above of saying that communism is evil and saying that it needs to be fought!?
This is very well wtitten, am a big fan of harry potter and a have read the books ? dozen times each, and i know this quotes very well but you explained them beautifully :D
I really love Dumbledore and Harry potter I just miss them so much
thankyou so much! this was exactly what i was looking for when i searched for dubledore quotes. i absolutely LOVE harry potter, and dumbledore is one of my favourite characters, especially in the books. thanks for the comentary aswell, it helps to understand the full meanings of the quotes. xxx
Very good article. But may I say that on the it doe not do well to dwell on dreams one, he meant the dream Harry had that scared him when he was sleeping, not his dream for his future life.
@Valerie ; I think that quote is in book 1, about harry that's so consumed by the mirror of erise, so harry spent most his nights staring at it, hopefully to see his late parents. that's harry's dream about, be together with his parents. and in this book, harry didn't dream about voldemort yet. his scar hurts whenever he's around professor quirrell who was possessed by voldemort.
Brillant!! Thank You for sharing it with us :)
These are great, truly inspirational. My ballet school is having a big thirty year anniversary party an everyone is supposed to write a quote to go on a collage, Im using one of Dumbledore's :)
@Prongs:
Have you lived in a communist country? I know a lot of people that have lived in communists countries and they themselves say that communism is evil so how do you explain that? Is it right for a government to have complete control of where people work, study, and live. Is it right for the government to own everything and to prohibit freedom of expression? because that's what communism does. Yes in theory communism (equality of resources and all that) sounds really good but is it really equality when there is a dictator in charge of everything and that dictator is extremely rich compared to the citizens that are mostly poor? is that really equality? no is not... so i don't think he was being a hypocrite by including communism as evil...
Dumbledore is much more to me, than just a character.
Thank you SOoooo much for these quotes!!!
@mariagodoy What you are describing, and what has occured in places such as China and Eastern Europe is Authoritarian Communism. Communism itself does not demand the state's interference, and it is possible for communism to be of the libertarian variety. I don't believe that communism itself is evil, and the post lends itself to hypocrisy when it states "capitalists and socialists... are all striving to make this country a better place", then goes on to say that Communism is evil.
That's the only problem I had with the post; otherwise I thought it was succinct and powerful. My own favourite Dumbledore quote is this one: "You think the dead we loved, ever truly leave us?"
Albus Dumbledore was such a great man. Sometimes I'm shocked to realise he was a product of someone's wonderful imagination.
We must try not to sink beneath our anguish, Harry, but battle on.-A.D. My personal Favorite.
I am not a Harry Potter fan rather i never read it or seen a movie( although i saw previews for them.) Earlier today i came across this quote “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” And i found this is true. We recently found out a bad news and i had to remind myself to turn on the light and see the other things and not be consumed by the bad things.
I love this. My favorites are #4 and 7. Dumbledore sought power through the Elder Wand and though we may think he was suited for it, he isn't and even Dumbledore came to realize that as well. The same goes for Voldemort, too. He sought it and it eventually became his downfall.
#7 is good too, because often times we wish to take the easy route. Though it may seem easy, it could eventually hurt us. When it comes to the right route, times may be tough but if it is right, then things will work out well in the end and we will become a better person because of it.
Theres another quote that quite slaps twilight hard on its face... Dumbledore says,
'Oh, old age, amycus, weaker resistance, slower reflexes.... one day it will happen to you, if you're lucky.' WOW!
the quote about how there will come a time when we must choose between what is right and what is easy was said to harry in his dorm room by himself not to the whole school. just thought id let you know...
My own personal favorite quote by him is, "Time is making fools of us again." Every day I stop and think to myself, just take a moment out of the day and slow down because time moves so quick we sometimes forget ourselves in the hustle and bustle of it all. No one wants to be at the end of their life and ask, "Where did it all go?"
Should've added dumbledore's engravement on the potter's headstone "the last enemy that will be conquered ia death" to the last quote in the subtext. Makes the point even clearer. Otherwise exemplary work. Thank you for sharing this.
These are all wonderful quotes, and you have provided great insight with them. Voted up and across the board.
Oh, I just love Dumbledore. I remember him talking about only longing for a nice, warm pair of socks when Harry asked him what he saw in the mirror. Sigh.
Great hub and voted up!
It's actually quite surprising... Not only had J.K Rowling made a series of 7 brilliant books with adventure, action and a bit of romance through-out, but she has also designed a character with a lot of wisdom too.
Dumbledore is one of the best characters in the Harry Potter series in my opinion, and these quotes can definitely be used in everyday life, to make us stronger, wiser, happier and above all loving.
Dumbledore is definitely one of my favorite fictional characters. This hub is wonderful, a great collection of some of Dumbledore's best quotes. I am a huge Harry Potter fan, and I thank you for this!
I love the way u translate his words to real world. I hope someday there is a wise man like him in this world:)
Great quotes
This is bloody tremendous! I applaud you.
I actually have 'it is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities' as a tattoo. I love this quote and it is very inspirational for me. I love alot of Dumbledore quotes. I am a massive Harry Potter fan and always will be. I feel alot of people have not read books due to the poor adaptation (in my opinion) of the books into films so I think people should check these books out. I am grateful I did!
Awesome collection.. I really love such inspiration whenever I'm down.. :)
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Jarrod1240 Hub Author 23 months ago
Anybody who reads this please leave me your honest thoughts, I am a new hub writer and am ready for criticism or praise.