Harry Potter Turns 20! Here Are 20 Quotes From the Series That We Can All Live By

On June 26th, 1997, the world turned into a magical place. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published in the UK and it changed lives forever. Since then, it has become a cultural phenomenon – being translated in over 70 languages and spouting eight hugely successful movies. The books have sold over 500 million worldwide with the films having grossed over two billion dollars. There’s a theme park dedicated to the wizarding world that the story is based. There’s also a very successful play based on the future lives of the characters. And there’s currently a new story in development with the Fantastic Beasts movie series.

Despite all the numbers, this series is very personal to people; very beloved. People feel they have a home in Hogwarts, even dedicating themselves to their House of choice. (Ravenclaw for life!) After 20 years, the world has been forever changed by the Harry Potter series. I know my life has been forever changed. Not to mention, many of us grew up with this series. I was eight years old when this series came out (nine when you count that it wasn’t released in the US till 1998). The first book is one of my favorite books of all time! And generations after us will also grow up with the books, continuing to spread the magic. Needless to say, this series is special. So, with a huge thank you to JK Rowling for all of this, here are 20 quotes to live by.

20. What would come, would come . . . and he would have to meet it when it did. – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

19. 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

18. If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals. – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

17. To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure. – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

16. Time will not slow down when something unpleasant lies ahead. – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

15. 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 Philosopher’s Stone

14. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory. – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

13. Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real? – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

12. It is my belief… that the truth is generally preferable to lies. – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

11. Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it. – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

10. Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it. – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

9. Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike. – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

8. We’re all human, aren’t we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving. – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

7. We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

6. Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love. – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

5. Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery. – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

4. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

3. 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

2. It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

1. Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

And remember, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.