What does it mean?
This means that there is always something to appreciate in life, but one needs to have hope, and try to look for it.
Does this foreshadow anything?
This is broadly applicable of course, but has particular relevance to two later moments in the series:
Most immediately, of course, the Dementors, representing depression, can literally be driven off by happiness in the form of a bright light.
Later, Ron is able to find Harry and Hermione by using the Deluminator.
As it says in Dumbledore's will (film version only):
First, to Ronald Billius Weasley, I leave my Deluminator, a device, of my own making, on hope when things seem most dark It will show you the light.
This is a callback to the line from PoA.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/harrypotter › is anyone else really bothered by the 'dumbledore' quote "happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light"?
r/harrypotter on Reddit: Is anyone else really bothered by the 'Dumbledore' quote "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light"?
February 8, 2013 -
I get that the Dumbledore character in the movie said it. But it bothers me because when people credit it to Dumbledore, I feel like it implies that the original (real) Dumbledore of JK Rowling's creation would have said it. But he didn't, and I don't think he would have said something so simplistic and sappy. He was always more sophisticated than that, even when he was being silly. So it bothers me that people credit this to Dumbledore all the time, when the real Dumbledore never would have said it. One could argue that it doesn't really matter, since the character's name in the movies is Dumbledore, so who else are they going to credit it to? But to me the Dumbledore in the movies (like many of the characters) is just a weak, altered shadow of the book version.
Your thoughts?
Top answer 1 of 5
19
Dumbledore doesn't just say sophisticated things. Nitwit, Blubber, Oddment, Tweak!
2 of 5
16
I must be in the minority... while book-D didn't say it, I think it's a bit presumptuous to say that he never would have said it. Although simple, the quote itself has a wealth of meaning within the Potter realm and is far more deep than initially comes across. I don't really find the quote "sappy", though.
Goodreads
goodreads.com › quotes › 1266091-happiness-can-be-found-even-in-the-darkest-of-times
Quote by J.K. Rowling: “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of ...”
J.K. Rowling — ‘Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.’
Medium
medium.com › be-open › happiness-can-be-found-even-in-the-darkest-of-times-if-one-only-remembers-to-turn-on-the-light-093398a2de65
“Happiness Can Be Found Even in the Darkest of Times, If One Only Remembers to Turn On the Light” | by TwinQuills | Be Open - Writers & Readers Pub | Medium
June 21, 2025 - “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
Quora
quora.com › What-does-Dumbledore-mean-when-he-says-Happiness-can-be-found-even-in-the-darkest-of-times-if-one-remembers-to-put-on-the-light
What does Dumbledore mean when he says, 'Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one remembers to put on the light'? - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): Imagine you're in a room. It's pitch dark. So dark you can't see your own hand. When you try to move around, you always hit something. And the worst part, you can’t see the object. What do you feel? Terrified? Lost? Anger? Frustration? Most of us feel the same way when we ...
Facebook
facebook.com › SonyMusicSoundtracks › videos › happiness-can-be-found-even-in-the-darkest-of-times-if-one-only-remembers-to-tur › 1914325072266747
"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." - Albus Dumbledore. Let's spread some light and magic... | By Sony Music Soundtracks | Facebook
"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." - Albus Dumbledore. Let's spread some light and magic...
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” - YouTube
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Albus Dumbledore
Published January 12, 2022
Popsugar
popsugar.com › smart living › movies
The 29 Best Dumbledore Quotes From Harry Potter | PS Smart Living
August 25, 2023 - "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." — "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"
MitE Chaplaincy
mite.org.uk › blog › finding-light-in-the-darkness
Finding light in the darkness — MitE Chaplaincy
November 30, 2022 - “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 This quote always comes to me when I am in a dark place.
Address Liverpool Parish Church Old Churchyard Liverpool L2 8TZ
Pinterest
pinterest.com › explore › art › body art › tattoos
Even In The Darkest Of Times Tattoo
August 24, 2014 - Happiness can be found, Even in the darkest of times If one only remembers to Turn on the light -Albus Dumbledore
Amazon
amazon.com › happiness-can-be-found-darkest-times › s
Amazon.com: Happiness Can Be Found In The Darkest Of Times
Amazon.com: happiness can be found in the darkest of times
Shmoop
shmoop.com › quotes › happiness-can-be-found-in-the-darkest-of-times.html
Quotes - Happiness can be found in the darkest of times.
But our new Dumbledore has some sage advice, letting the students of the magical school know that "Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." Then he lights a candle without matches, like a magic version of the Clapper.
Goodreads
goodreads.com › quotes › 8097432-but-you-know-happiness-can-be-found-even-in-the
Quote by J.K. Rowling: “But you know, happiness can be found even in th...”
J.K. Rowling — ‘But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.’
Varsity Tutors
varsitytutors.com › scholarship_entries › hope-26070
Looking for the Light by Hope - November 2018 Scholarship Essay
"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light". This quote is said by Albus Dumbledore, of the Harry Potter series.
X
x.com › PotterWorldUK › status › 1335925022628536321
Harry Potter World on X: "“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Dumbledore https://t.co/PgP6thjoui" / X
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Dumbledore
English Plus Podcast
englishpluspodcast.com › home › finding happiness in dark times: exploring albus dumbledore’s wisdom
Finding Happiness in Dark Times: Exploring Albus Dumbledore's Wisdom - English Plus Podcast
June 10, 2024 - The quote “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light” by Albus Dumbledore from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series resonates deeply with readers of all ages.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
HD Dumbledore's "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times.." clip - YouTube
"...if one only remembers to turn on the light."I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING.This is fully owned property of Warner Bros and J.K.Rowling.
Published January 21, 2012
PassItOn
passiton.com › inspirational-quotes › 3343-happiness-can-be-found-in-even-the-darkest-of
Happiness can be found in even the darkest of times, but only to those who remember to turn on the light. —Albus Dumbledore
An inspirational quote by Albus Dumbledore about the value of Hope: Happiness can be found in even the darkest of times, but only to those who remember to turn on the light.
Amazon
amazon.com › Happiness-Can-Be-Found-Typography › dp › B018PN6G1K
Amazon.com: Happiness Can Be Found Even in The Darkest of Times If One Only Remembers to Turn on The Light - Black and White Print on Fine Matte Paper - Movie Quote Wall Art : Home & Kitchen
Happiness Can Be Found in The Darkest ... Quotes - Set of Four 8" x 10" Wall Art – Great for Gifting or Collecting ... ★ Dumbledore quote "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the ...
Quora
quora.com › What-is-your-opinion-on-the-statement-happiness-can-be-found-in-the-darkest-of-times-if-only-one-remembers-to-turn-on-the-light
What is your opinion on the statement 'happiness can be found in the darkest of times if only one remembers to turn on the light'? - Quora
A basic equanimity, a sort of mental and emotional balance, perhaps. But not happiness. The darkest times are never going to be conducive to happiness. And if there’s a light you can turn on these are not the darkest ...