Draco: At the very last moment he decides not to kill Dumbledore and lowers his wand. I think this is a key moment in Draco's arc, because it shows he could be – deep in his heart – a good person. Answer from robby_on_reddit on reddit.com
Discussions

"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
Draco: At the very last moment he decides not to kill Dumbledore and lowers his wand. I think this is a key moment in Draco's arc, because it shows he could be – deep in his heart – a good person. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/HarryPotterBooks
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April 14, 2020
Favorite Dumbledore Quote?
“Of course it is happening inside your head Harry, but why should that mean it is not real?” This quote helps me feel that even though it’s just a book series, hogwarts is real in our hearts. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/harrypotter
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May 21, 2022
What is your favorite Albus Dumbledore quote of them all?
"It's not our abilities that defines who we are. It's our choices" More on reddit.com
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September 29, 2023
"We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy"
“Remember Cedric. 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.” Albus Dumbledore, Ch 34 in Goblet of Fire. Not quite the same, the movie’s quote was more direct and the book quote needed more context. More on reddit.com
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September 7, 2022
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The Guardian
theguardian.com › childrens-books-site › 2014 › dec › 17 › jk-rowling-shares-her-favourite-harry-potter-quote
JK Rowling shares her favourite Harry Potter quote | Children's books | The Guardian
September 20, 2017 - That's who we really are.— georgia brown (@researchgeorgia) December 17, 2014 ... ‘It is our choices, Harry, that show us who we really are, far more than our abilities’ - Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/harrypotterbooks › "it is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
r/HarryPotterBooks on Reddit: "It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
April 14, 2020 -

What are the landmark choices made by the characters that reveal their very essence?

Below are a few from Book One. But there must be loads from across the saga. Can you suggest other key choices that give a clear view of the books' heroes and villains?

Harry: rejects the privileged, prejudiced Malfoy. Harry chooses to judge people on merit.* Likewise in the final books he turns down the friend request of Rufus Scrimgeour, Minister for Magic.

Hermione: lies to the teachers about the incident with the Troll. The truth would do fine, but she wants to protect her new friends from the teachers' wrath.

Ron: sacrifices himself on the chessboard. He gives his team the ultimate assist. He is the best friend.

Neville: attempts to stop the Trio from getting in more trouble. The odds aren't in his favour but he digs for bravery and shows integrity.

Hagrid: brings a birthday cake.

What other moments show who these and other characters truly are?

*Harry tells Malfoy, "I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks." He is mistaken: he overlooks Quirrell, thinks Draco opened the Chamber of Secrets, ignores Ron’s evil rat despite the bleating Sneakoscope, falls for the MoodyCrouch's schemes, and for seven years believes Snape, who is committed to his protection, is a villain. Harry starts to recognise the wrong sort in OotP – hint: they try to get him expelled from Hogwarts.

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Medium
medium.com › @mahirkhan0828 › a-wizards-wisdom-f067a87d5174
A Wizard’s Wisdom. The Best Dumbledore Quotes and Their… | by Mahir Khan | Medium
April 16, 2023 - The present is a precious resource and being too fixated on one’s hopes and dreams makes us blind to what is right in front of us. “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
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Goodreads
goodreads.com › author › quotes › 14877156.Albus_Dumbledore
Albus Dumbledore Quotes (Author of Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them)
31 quotes from Albus Dumbledore: 'Perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it.', '...humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them.', and 'We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.'
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Pinterest
pinterest.com › explore › quotes › quotes ideas › general quotes › it is our choices that show harry potter
It Is Our Choices That Show Harry Potter
Dumbledore Quotes About Facing Choices · Dumbledore Quotes About Choices · Harry Potter Quotes About Treasure · Harry Potter Wisdom Sayings · Harry Potter Quote Art · Quotes Harry Potter Inspirational · Quotes From Harry Potter Inspirational · Harry Potter Quotes About Happiness And Strength ·
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Self Publishing School
self-publishingschool.com › dumbledore-quotes
59 Best Dumbledore Quotes: Wizardly Wisdom & Fantastic Facts
October 3, 2023 - In ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber ... Albus Dumbledore’s wisdom and leadership shine as he works tirelessly to uncover the mystery behind the reopened Chamber of Secrets. His reassuring presence and words of guidance play a crucial role in young Harry’s journey to unveil the truth about the hidden dangers within Hogwarts. Here are some of his best quotes from the second book in Rowling’s series. “It is our choices, Harry, that ...
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Shmoop
shmoop.com › quotes › it-is-our-choices-that-show-what-we-truly-are.html
Quotes - It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
Author: J.K. Rowling · "[The sorting ... beaming once more. "Which makes you very different from Tom Riddle. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."...
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Parade
parade.com › 1254364 › jessicasager › dumbledore-quotes
38 Best Dumbledore Quotes From Harry Potter to Inspire You - Parade
March 13, 2025 - Behold, below we’ve gathered 38 of the best Dumbledore quotes about life, love, friendship, Muggles and, of course, magic.
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Bookroo
bookroo.com › quotes › dumbledore
The 59 Best Dumbledore Quotes
#2: “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” #3: “It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
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Medium
medium.com › read-or-die › the-best-albus-dumbledore-quotes-0a50f858ddf7
The Best Albus Dumbledore Quotes. Because he really did know it all | by Joseph Ream | Read or Die! | Medium
February 24, 2024 - The Best Albus Dumbledore Quotes Because he really did know it all I just finished my a billionth Harry Potter re-watch, and I found myself ruminating on a lot of words that came out of the infamous …
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BOOK RIOT
bookriot.com › home › 6 dumbledore quotes to give you hope for the future
6 Dumbledore Quotes to Give You Hope for the Future
December 30, 2016 - “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) “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” ...
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Biscuitmoon Designs
biscuitmoondesigns.com › products › it-is-our-choices-dumbledore-quote-print
It is our Choices - Dumbledore Quote Print - Biscuitmoon Designs
Made-To-Order Available in A4 or A3 Framed or Unframed International shipping available Product Description Wise words from the wisest of all the wizards! This timeless Dumbledore quote will appeal to Harry Potter fans as well as those who just love a good inspirational quote to motivate.
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Four Minute Books
fourminutebooks.com › home › the 21 best & most underrated dumbledore quotes
Dumbledore Quotes: His 21 Wisest & Most Underrated Lines
September 26, 2023 - Here are the 10 most famous quotes from Albus Dumbledore: 1. “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
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Just Read It
just-read-it.com › 2020 › 01 › 31 › 10-harry-potter-book-quotes-that-will-give-you-hope
10 Harry Potter Book Quotes That Will Give You Hope – Just Read It
April 13, 2023 - 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 ...
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Pinterest
pinterest.com › explore › quotes
Our Choices Define Us - Dumbledore Quote
March 20, 2025 - Harry Potter Quotes About Making Choices · Famous Friendship Quotes · Dumbledore Quotes