Magic has universal appeal. I don't believe in magic in the way that I describe in my books, but I'd love it to be real.

It unscrews the other way.

The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive.

Your qualifications, your CV, are not your life, though you will meet many people of my age and older who confuse the two. Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyone's control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes.

The moment you are old enough to take the wheel, responsibility lies with you.

Potter is mocked by a faculty member for the idea that there is evil in the world from which even children need to learn to defend themselves by the actual practice of doing so rather than familiarity with theory.

I am very frustrated by fear of imagination, I don’t think that’s healthy.