By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
J. K. RowlingRead
And sure enough, in seeking to become superhuman this foolhardy young man renders himself inhuman. The heart that he has locked away slowly shrivels and grows hair, symbolising his own descent to beasthood.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The pursuit of becoming greater can lead to losing one's humanity if not balanced with compassion.
This quote reflects on the dangers of overambition and the loss of one's essential human qualities in the quest for superiority. The young man's desire to transcend human limitations ultimately results in a detachment from his emotions and morals, leading him to a beastly state, symbolizing the importance of maintaining one's humanity and empathy even in the pursuit of greatness.
Themes
AmbitionHumanityEmotionCompassionSuperhuman
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker discussing the importance of empathy in leadership might cite this quote to emphasize the need for balance in ambition and humanity.
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
Similar quotes
The glory of God is the human person fully alive.
Irenaeus Of LyonsRead
Psychologically experienced consciousness is therefore no longer pure consciousness; construed Objectively in this way, consciousness itself becomes something transcendent, becomes an event in that spatial world which appears, by virtue of consciousness, to be transcendent.
Edmund HusserlRead
The most important relationship we can all have is the one you have with yourself, the most important journey you can take is one of self-discovery. To know yourself, you must spend time with yourself, you must not be afraid to be alone. Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
AristotleRead
We need a coat with two pockets. In one pocket there is dust, and in the other pocket there is gold. We need a coat with two pockets to remind us who we are.
Parker J. PalmerRead
O, here Will I set up my everlasting rest, And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! and, lips, O you The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss A dateless bargain to engrossing death!
William ShakespeareRead
Life is the farce we are all forced to endure.
Arthur RimbaudRead