By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
J. K. RowlingRead
Where do vanished objects go?" "Into nonbeing, which is to say, everything," replied Professor McGonagall. "Nicely phrased," replied the eagle door knocker, and the door swung open.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the nature of existence and the idea that forgotten or vanished things still contribute to the essence of reality.
In this quote from J.K. Rowling, Professor McGonagall discusses the concept of nonbeing, implying that things we consider vanished or lost still play a role in the broader understanding of existence. It raises philosophical questions about the nature of reality and how the absence of objects or memories impacts our perception of the world around us.
Themes
ExistenceNonbeingPhilosophyRealityVanished
In practice
Example use cases
During a philosophy class discussion about existence.
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.
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Depression isn't just being a bit sad. It's feeling nothing. It's not wanting to be alive anymore.
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Imagine losing fingernails, Harry! That really puts our sufferings into perspective, doesn't it?
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The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed.
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