Albus Dumbledore, an iconic character from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, is cherished for his wisdom and magical abilities.
A half-blood wizard, Dumbledore faced tragedy early in life with the loss of his parents and sister.
Despite his personal sorrows, he ascended to become the esteemed headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, gaining a reputation as one of the greatest to ever hold the post.
As an adept practitioner of nonverbal spells, he was also the founder and leader of the Order of the Phoenix, countering Lord Voldemort’s dark forces.
His possession of the Elder Wand from 1945 to 1997 further attests to his magical prowess.
His persona, characterized by his long white beard, half-moon glasses and a whimsical attitude, captivated many.
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Haunted by his family history, especially his sister’s death, Dumbledore still emerged as one of the most potent wizards in history.
His life tragically ended in 1997 on Voldemort’s orders.
Here are some of the best quotes from Albus Dumbledore.
Albus Dumbledore Quotes from Harry Potter
1. “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban’, 2004.
2. “I’ve always felt an affinity with the great magical birds. There’s a story in my family that a phoenix will come to any Dumbledore in desperate need. They say my great-grandfather had one, and that it took flight when he died, never to return.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald’, 2018.
3. “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that!” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone’, 2001.
4. “A child’s voice, however honest and true, is meaningless to those who’ve forgotten how to listen.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban’, 2004.
5. “Humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone’, 2001.
6. “Search the *skies* if you must, Minister, but now I think I’ll have a nice cup of tea, or a large brandy. Oh, and executioner, your services are no longer required. Thank you.” – Albus Dumbledore – Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban’, 2004.
7. “You think the dead we loved truly ever leave us? You think we don’t recall them more clearly in times of great trouble?” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban’, 2004.
8. “When in doubt, I find retracing my steps to be a wise place to begin.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban’, 2004.
9. “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’, 2002.
10. “To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone’, 2001.
Top Dumbledore Quotes
11. “The best of us sometimes eat our words.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’, 2002.
12. “One can never have enough socks. Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone’, 2001.
13. “You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets’, 2002.
14. “Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. Love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone’, 2001.
15. “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone’, 2001.
16. “Call him Voldemort, Harry. Always use the proper name for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone’, 2001.
17. “To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone’, 2001.
18. “For in dreams, we enter a world that is entirely our own. Let him swim in the deepest ocean or glide over the highest cloud.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban’, 2004.
19. “The truth. It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone’, 2001.
20. “Only a person who wanted to find the Stone – find it, but not use it – would be able to get it. That is one of my more brilliant ideas. And between you and me, that is saying something.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone’, 2001.
Famous Dumbledore Quotes
21. “If your determination to shut your eyes will carry you so far, Cornelius, then we have reached a parting of the ways. You must act as you see fit and I must act as I see fit.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire’, 2005.
22. “You place too much importance… on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire’, 2005.
23. “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’, 2005.
24. “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.” – Albus Dumbledore – Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, 2005.
25. “Curiosity is not a sin… But we should exercise caution with our curiosity… yes, indeed. Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire’, 2005.
26. “No spell can reawaken the dead, Harry. I trust you know that.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire’, 2005.
27. “Harry… It is not how you are alike.. It’s how you are not”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix’, 2007.
28. “I have absolutely no intention of being sent to Azkaban. I could break out, of course – but what a waste of time, and frankly, I can think of a host of things I would rather be doing”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix’, 2007.
29. “I sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind… At these times… I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one’s mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one’s leisure.” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire’, 2005.
30. “Oh, to be young and to feel love’s keen sting”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Half-blood Prince’, 2009.
Popular Dumbledore Quotes
31. “This memory is a different kind of magic. Very dark. Very parcel. Without it, we are blind. It leaves the fate of our world to chance. You have no choice, you must not fail. Once again, I must ask too much of you, Harry”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Half-blood Prince’, 2009.
32. “Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2’, 2011.
33. “Hogwarts is not a place for mad people. Hogwarts is a school. A school of magic. You can do things can’t you, Tom? That other children can’t”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Half-blood Prince’, 2009.
34. “You are protected, in short, by your ability to love! … The only protection that can possibly work against the lure of power like Voldemort’s!” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Half-blood Prince’, 2005.
35. “Harry, suffering like this proves you are still a man! This pain is part of being human…” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix’, 2003.
36. “Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix’, 2003.
37. “Perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows’, 2007.
38. “We must try not to sink beneath our anguish, Harry, but battle on”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Half-blood Prince’, 2005.
39. “It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Half-blood Prince’, 2005.
40. “Do not pity the dead, Harry, pity the living, and above all those who live without love”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows’, 2007.
Inspiring Dumbledore Quotes
41. “Have you any idea how much tyrants fear the people they oppress? All of them realize that, one day, amongst their many victims, there is sure to be one that rises against them and strikes back!” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Half-blood Prince’, 2005.
42. “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows’, 2007.
43. “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’, 2003.
44. “In spite of all the temptation you have endured, all the suffering, you remain pure of heart, just as pure as you were at the age of eleven…” – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Half-blood Prince’, 2005.
45. “Or perhaps, to confess that you yourself are worried and frightened? You need your friends, Harry. As you so rightly said, Sirius would not have wanted you to shut yourself away”. – Albus Dumbledore – ‘Harry Potter And The Half-blood Prince’, 2005.
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Short Biography of Dumbledore
Albus Dumbledore, a central figure in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, serves as the wise headmaster of Hogwarts School and leader of the Order of the Phoenix, battling the evil Lord Voldemort.
Portrayed by actors Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, and Jude Law across various Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, Dumbledore’s character is marked by a love of music and profound wisdom.
| Full Name | Prof. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore |
| Nationality | British |
| Patronus | Phoenix |
| Born | 1881 |
| Died | 30 June 1997 |
| First Appearance | Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997) |
| Last Appearance | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007) |
| Portrayed By | Richard Harris (films 1–2), Michael Gambon (films 3–8), Jude Law (Fantastic Beasts films), Toby Regbo (young, film 7, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) |
| House | Gryffindor |
| Occupation | Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (1960s–1997), Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot (1978–1997), Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards (1983–1995), Transfiguration Professor of Hogwarts (1930–1956), Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor of Hogwarts (c. 1910s–1930) |
| Family | Percival Dumbledore (father), Kendra Dumbledore (mother), Aberforth Dumbledore (brother), Ariana Dumbledore (sister), Aurelius Dumbledore (nephew) |
| Significant Other | Gellert Grindelwald |
Rowling, who found joy in writing Dumbledore as a paragon of goodness, imbued him with a complex backstory, including a regretful love for the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.
This relationship, revealing Dumbledore’s homosexual orientation, significantly influenced his cautious approach to power and love.
Quick Facts about Dumbledore
- Albus Dumbledore’s full name includes “Percival Wulfric Brian.”
- He lived from 1881 to 1997, passing away at 116.
- Dumbledore initially taught Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.
- His Patronus was a Phoenix, symbolizing his connection to his Phoenix, Fawkes.
- The core of Dumbledore’s wand was a hair from the mythical Thestral.
- Dumbledore’s tumultuous relationship with his siblings, Ariana and Aberforth, was marred by tragedy due to Grindelwald.
- Credence Barebone was revealed as Aurelius Dumbledore, adding a mysterious figure to the Dumbledore family.
- Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus’s brother, played a pivotal role in the fight against Voldemort.
- Dumbledore’s greatest fear was the dead body of his sister Ariana.
- In the Mirror of Erised, Dumbledore saw his family reunited and happy, not a pair of socks as he once claimed.
- Dumbledore was fluent in Parseltongue, Mermish, and Gobbledygook, enhancing his understanding of magical creatures.
- Four actors have portrayed Dumbledore in the film adaptations.
- Dumbledore and Grindelwald’s pivotal relationship began in Godric’s Hollow, the birthplace of Harry Potter.
- Grindelwald was introduced to Dumbledore by Bathilda Bagshot, the author of “A History of Magic.”
- Dumbledore was capable of performing both wandless and silent magic, showcasing his exceptional magical prowess.
- He was one of the few to have possessed all three Deathly Hallows, just like Harry.
- Dumbledore’s legendary duel with Grindelwald was a turning point in wizarding history, almost never happening.
- Dumbledore’s teaching career at Hogwarts began with Transfiguration before he became Headmaster.
- His leadership and wisdom made him one of the most respected wizards of his time.
- Dumbledore’s life was filled with complex relationships, powerful magic, and pivotal moments in wizarding history.
Top Questions about Dumbledore
A: Dumbledore was initially played by Richard Harris in the first two Harry Potter films. Due to his declining health and subsequent passing from Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Michael Gambon took over the role for the rest of the series.
A: Dumbledore is revered for his wisdom, calm demeanor in crises, and as a key figure opposing Voldemort. His strategic actions across the series and his status as the one wizard Voldemort feared contribute to his popularity.
A: Dumbledore could create Gubraithian fire, become invisible without a cloak, and was proficient in Occlumency and Legilimency, showcasing his formidable magical skills.
A: Dumbledore is half-blood because his mother, Kendra, was Muggle-born, making him, Aberforth, and Ariana half-bloods.
A: Severus Snape became the headmaster following Dumbledore’s death, aligning Hogwarts with Voldemort’s regime while secretly protecting Harry.
A: Dumbledore is intended to be a heroic figure in the Harry Potter series, yet some interpretations suggest his actions might align more with those of a villain.
A: Dumbledore’s intelligence would likely classify him as a genius, with an estimated IQ that aligns with the genius threshold of 160.
A: Dumbledore confessed that his greatest weakness was a desire for power, fearing it could corrupt him irreversibly.
A: Snape’s act of killing Dumbledore was part of a plan to protect Draco Malfoy from the damaging consequences of committing murder, rather than an act of betrayal.
A: While Dumbledore was highly powerful, the legendary wizard Merlin is often considered to be the most powerful and famous, transcending the wizarding world into Muggle recognition.
