By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
J. K. RowlingRead
Well, you split your soul, you see, and hide part of it in an object outside the body. Then, even if one’s body is attacked or destroyed, one cannot die, for part of the soul remains earthbound and undamaged. But of course, existence in such a form . . .
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote explores the concept of soul separation and immortality through the hiding of parts of one's soul in external objects.
In this quote, J.K. Rowling describes a method of achieving a form of immortality by splitting one's soul and concealing portions of it in objects, suggesting that while the physical body is vulnerable to destruction, the soul can continue to exist in a disembodied state. This idea reflects deep philosophical questions about identity, existence, and the nature of the soul, highlighting the implications and consequences of attempting to evade death through such drastic measures.
Themes
SoulImmortalityExistencePhilosophyIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on the nature of the soul in a philosophy class.
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 true story is vicious and multiple and untrue after all. Why do you need it? Don’t ever ask for the true story.
Margaret AtwoodRead
Ancient Egyptians believed that upon death they would be asked two questions and their answers would determine whether they could continue their journey in the afterlife. The first question was, 'Did you bring joy?' The second was, 'Did you find joy?
Leo BuscagliaRead
Although we are all the same in not wanting problems and wanting a peaceful life, we tend to create a lot of problems for ourselves. Encountering those problems, anger develops and overwhelms our mind, which leads to violence. A good way to counter this and to work for a more peaceful world is to develop concern for others. Then our anger, jealousy and other destructive emotions will naturally weaken and diminish.
Dalai LamaRead
One of the things I'm trying to do over and over again in my books is create new mythologies, create new ways to understand the complexity of the world. I think what mythology does is impress upon chaotic experience the patterns, hierarchies and shapes which allow us to interpret the chaos and make fresh sense of it.
Clive BarkerRead
The same relation exists between merchant and pirate, who for a long period are one and the same person: where the one function appears to them inadvisable, they exercise the other.
Friedrich NietzscheRead
The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.
Muriel RukeyserRead