18 HP Quotes To Remember During This Election

Anyone who's been paying attention this election season already knows that J.K. Rowling considers Donald Trump to be worse than Lord Voldemort. And, while we're probably safe from Dementors at the moment, the political climate in America right now is making the Ministry of Magic look organized and efficient. So, since one of our presidential candidates already resembles a Wizarding World villain, here are some Harry Potter quotes to remember during the elections.

After all, the Harry Potter books taught us a surprising amount about politics. The government was filled with corruption, and even well-meaning witches and wizards regularly refused to acknowledge the truth. They didn't want to believe that Voldemort could rise to power. And they didn't want to deal with their own internalized prejudices against muggle-borns, house-elves, and everyone else who wasn't a pure-blood wizard. It took young people standing up for what they believed in to defeat a fascist dictator. It's all a little too relevant.

So let's review some election-worthy quotes from Harry Potter. And, on election day, let's all try to elect the president who is the least in favor of Voldemort-style ethnic cleansing (or if that doesn't work for you, just imagine Professor McGonagall standing over your shoulder in the voting booth).

1. If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.

–Sirius Black, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

2. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

–Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets

3. I am what I am an’ I’m not ashamed. ‘Never be ashamed,’ my ol’ dad used ter say, ‘there’s some who’ll hold it against you, but they’re not worth bothern’ with.’

–Hagird, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

4. “Are you planning to follow a career in Magical Law, Miss Granger?” asked Scrimgeour. “No, I’m not,” retorted Hermione. “I’m hoping to do some good in the world!”

–J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

5. The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed.

–Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban

6. What you fear most of all is—fear. Very wise.

–Lupin, Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban

7. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.

–Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone

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.”

–J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone

9. People find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right.

–Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince

10. We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.

–Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

11. The world isn’t split into good people and Death Eaters.

–Sirius Black, Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix

12. It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.

–Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

13. Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have.

–Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

14. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.

–Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

15. We are all human, aren’t we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving.

–Kingsley Shacklebolt, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

16. Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels, but old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young.

–Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix

17. Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic, capable of both influencing injury, and remedying it.

–Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

18. I DON'T CARE!" Harry yelled at them, snatching up a lunascope and throwing it into the fireplace. "I'VE HAD ENOUGH, I'VE SEEN ENOUGH, I WANT OUT, I WANT IT TO END, I DON'T CARE ANYMORE!" "You do care," said Dumbledore. He had not flinched or made a single move to stop Harry demolishing his office. His expression was calm, almost detached. "You care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it.”

–J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Images: Warner Bros., Giphy (19)