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12 'Harry Potter' Quotes And The Life Lessons They’ve Taught Me

A thank-you to the series who shaped who I am

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12 'Harry Potter' Quotes And The Life Lessons They’ve Taught Me
Emily Goralski

Forewarning: most of these are from our favorite headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

1. "You care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it.”  -Dumbledore

We grow up in a world where it is cool not to care. This particular quote shows that everyone cares and everyone feels and it is more than alright to have emotions.

2. “I'm going to keep going until I succeed — or die.” -Harry Potter

Determination gets you far in life, and that is certainly something Harry possessed.

3. “We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are. The world isn’t split into good people and Death Eaters” -Sirius Black

People are very quick to jump to extremes. Everything is black in white. In reality, everything is some shade of gray.

4. “We can't choose our fate, but we can choose others. Be careful in knowing that.” -Dumbledore

Surrounding yourself with people who make you a better person is what helps you choose your fate. This quote inspires me to make friends with people who better me.

5. "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” -Dumbledore

Skills can be learned. Some may have natural talents, but in the end, those who apply themselves and make good choices will go much farther in life.

6. "You are protected, in short, by your ability to love!" -Dumbledore

This also goes along with the idea that not caring is "cool." Your ability to love may hurt you at times, but it will also be your saving grace. Walking through life allowing yourself to love with no hinders creates strong, lasting relationships that will stay with you.

7. "What's comin' will come, and we'll meet it when it does." -Hagrid

I am personally someone who stresses far too much about the future when there is nothing I can do about it in the present. This quote is absolutely true and helps me remember to live in this moment, not the stress of tomorrow. Anxiety for the future only ruins today.

8. "There are all kinds of courage,” said Dumbledore, smiling. “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” -Dumbledore

Peer pressure is real, and incredibly hard to stand up to. I wouldn't say it's easy to stand up to your enemies, but you still have your friends behind you when you do. When you stand up to friends, you are allowing yourself to stand alone with nothing but your ideals, which is difficult to do.

9. “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” -Dumbledore

This quote also deals with thinking too much about the future. Sometimes I am so set on a goal that I forget why I even care about the goal and get tunnel vision. It is all too easy to miss things along the way when you have your blinders on. Allow life to take you where it does!

10. “Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.” -Dumbledore

Sometimes, you need a day or two to forget about your pain and distract yourself, but it is important to know that putting off pain and moving on are absolutely different. Pain demands to be felt, and the sooner the better.

11. “Dumbledore says people find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right.” Hermione Granger

I grew up with wonderful parents who, like all parents, would give me advice. 99/100 times, it was great advice, but kids don't always listen. It is harder to admit to being wrong than right.

12. "I am what I am an’ I’m not ashamed" -Hagrid

I've spent my life trying to live by this. We all have things we'd like to change about ourselves, but those things make us unique and drive us. I am working every day to be more self-accepting.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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