21 Harry Potter Quotes That'll Improve Your Day

There are some days when everything seems to go wrong, and you wish you could just magic all your problems away and Apparate to Hogwarts (seriously, how cool would it be to vacation in a fictional world?). Unfortunately, it’s impossible to Apparate on school grounds (as mentioned in Hogwarts, A History), so unless you have a flying Ford Anglia, you’re stuck trying to push through the day until you can make it through to your five o’ clock Butterbeer. That is, your five o’clock cream soda poured into a “Mischief Managed” mug while you pull up YouTube to watch A Very Potter Musical for the millionth time.

Luckily, you don’t have to face the day without a little bit of magic, because the inspiration you need can be found in the pages of Harry Potter — after all, as J.K. Rowling writes in Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows , “words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.”

Write the quotes on Post-its around your office, frame them and hang them on your walls, or just memorize them and repeat them when you’re feeling down and need encouragement to get through the day — after all, Harry made it through having Dolores Umbridge for a teacher (oh, and also defeated Voldemort) — you’ve totally got this.

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

— Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."

— Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

“His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,His hair is as dark as a blackboard.I wish he was mine, he's really divine,The hero who conquered the Dark Lord.”

—Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

“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.”

— Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

“ 'Give her hell from us, Peeves.'And Peeves, whom Harry had never seen take an order from a student before, swept his belled hat from his head and sprang to a salute as Fred and George wheeled about to tumultuous applause from the students below and sped out of the open front doors into the glorious sunset."

—Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

“Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.”

— Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.”

— Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

“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.’”

—Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

“ 'Why are they all staring?' demanded Albus as he and Rose craned around to look at the other students.'Don’t let it worry you,' said Ron. 'It’s me. I’m extremely famous.' "

— Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?”

—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

“Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect.”

—Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

“ 'Why were you lurking under our window?''Yes - yes, good point, Petunia! What were you doing under our windows, boy?''Listening to the news,' said Harry in a resigned voice.His aunt and uncle exchanged looks of outrage.'Listening to the news! Again?''Well, it changes every day, you see,' said Harry.”

—Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

“Oh, these people's minds work in strange ways, Petunia, they're not like you and me," said Uncle Vernon, trying to knock in a nail with the piece of fruitcake Aunt Petunia had just brought him.”

—Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

“One can never have enough socks.”

—Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

“Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?''Yes,' said Harry.'You called her a liar?''Yes.''You told her He Who Must Not Be Named is back?''Yes.'Professor McGonagall sat down behind her desk, frowning at Harry. Then she said, 'Have a biscuit, Potter.' "

—Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

"Don't let the Muggles get you down."

— Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

"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."

—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

"Well, he should have some chocolate, at the very least."

—Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

" 'Now, you two — Behave yourselves. If I get one word that you've blown up a toilet or—''Blown up a toilet? We've never blown up a toilet.''Great idea though, thanks, Mum.' "

—Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

" 'The thing about growing up with Fred and George,' said Ginny thoughtfully, 'is that you sort of start thinking anything's possible if you've got enough nerve.' "

—Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

"The last trace of steam evaporated in the autumn air. The train rounded a corner. Harry's hand was still raised in farewell.'He'll be all right,' murmured Ginny.As Harry looked at her, he lowered his hand absentmindedly and touched the lightning scar on his forehead.'I know he will.'The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well."

—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Images: Warner Bros.; Giphy (21)