Category: Books

“The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter” AND “We do not speak his name!”

From: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Mr. Ollivander

The story behind the quote: This week, I’m giving two quotes in one post since they do come pretty much from the same clip. The quotes come from the Harry Potter series. Specifically, it comes from the first book/movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The books are all about Harry Potter discovering that he is a wizard and his adventure to battle against “He Who Shall Not Be Named” Voldemont.

The quote comes early in both the book and the movie. Harry Potter (played by a very young Daniel Radcliffe) visits visits the shop of the renowned wandmaker, Ollivander’s. Harry meets the Garrick Ollivander (played by John Hurt) and tries out different wants. Mr. Ollivander finally gives a specific wand to Harry and it seems to both with the young boy. The old shopkeeper then regales Harry with the history of the wand he’s holding as well as how weird that he bonded with that specific wand. This is when the quotes are given.

Geek wisdom: Since there are two quotes, there are two pieces of Geek Wisdom we can pull from them.

For “the wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter,” there is a certain thing called destiny and fate. Sometimes, things are just meant to happen. Rather than fight it, it’s better to accept it and deal with whatever consequences there might be.

For “we do not speak his name,” that’s partially because the wizard world is afraid to think of that time of history when Voldemont terrorized them. This is a mistake as, if we do not openly talk about the terrible things done in the past, we cannot learn from them. We have to be brave to let the dark past out in the open so we can make sure these events do not happen again.

Advertisement

“My precious!”

From: Gollum/Smeagol

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: The Lord of The Rings trilogy

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, both the books and the movies. The Lord of the Rings is a follow up to JRR Tolkien’s book, The Hobbit. In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo Baggins finds The One Ring in the possession of his uncle, Bilbo Baggins. What follows is a quest to go to Mordor to destroy The One Ring.

The quote comes sporadically from each book and film and is most notable from coming from Gollum, who lost the ring to Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. As the One Ring has already corrupted Gollum, the “creature” lusts for the ring, calling it by the quote.

Later, in Return of the King (the film version), Gollum’s past is expanded on and it is revealed that he was an ordinary Hobbit named Smeagol. But, when he and his cousin accidentally find the ring, he is almost instantly corrupted by its power.

Geek wisdom: We all have some material object that we love and cherish. However, we should not let this love change us and forget that the object that we find precious is just that: a material object. We shouldn’t let our obsession change us for the worse.

“The things I do for love.”

From: Jaime Lanniser

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Game of Thrones/A Song of Fire and Ice

The story behind the quote: Since the HBO series Game of Thrones just ended, I decided to punctuate its closure with a quote from the series. Game of Thrones is based on the book series A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin. It is a fantasy series filler with political intrigue all about different warring families trying to win the Iron Throne.

The quote actually comes from the first episode of the HBO series. Jaime Lanniser and his twin sister Cirsei Lanniser are having sex in a tower when Bran Stark accidentally sees them in the act while climbing the tower. Jaime catches the boy spying on them before he slips and falls off the tower. When Cirsei yells that the boy saw them, Jaime asks Bram his age. Jaime then looks at Cirsei and realizing that Bram can ruin them, delivers the quote before pushing him off the tower.

Geek wisdom: While what Jaime did can be said to be a truly despicable act, he did it to ensure that his loved ones will be safe. And people do actually do terrible things in the name of love. He had to do that distasteful thing to help the people he loves, even if his reputation will be in tatters afterwards. But, since what he did was for the benefit of the people around him, he was willing to do it, reputation be damned.

“My friends, you bow to no one.”

From: Aragorn

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the final chapter in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Return of the King. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was written by JRR Tolkien and was successfully adapted to the big screen by Peter Jackson.

The quote comes near the end of both the film and the book. The party had completed their quest to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn (played by Viggo Mortensen), the rightful heir of Isildur and is crowned the first High King of the Reunited Kingdom. After his coronation ceremony, Aragorn walks over to the hobbits Frodo, Samwise, Merry and Pippin, who all were more than instrumental in the group’s quest. The four hobbits bow to Aragorn. This is when the new High King delivers the quote before bowing to the four.

Geek wisdom: Even if you’ve elevated to a higher place, never forget your friends. They are the ones who helped you get to where you are and you would not be in your position if it weren’t for them. Always acknowledge them.

“It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.”

From: The Fault in Our Stars

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Augustus Waters

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from The Fault in Our Stars. The book was written by John Green and it was adapted into a feature film in 2014. The film is about Hazel Grace Lancaster (played by Shailene Woodley), a terminally ill cancer patient who falls in love with Augustus Waters (played by Ansel Elgort), a bone cancer survivor and amputee.

The quote comes fairly early in the film. Hazel is attracted to Agustus and the feeling is mutual. However, as she knows she’s going to die because of the cancer, she tries to keep him at arms distance because she doesn’t want him to feel depressed when she eventually passes. This is when Augustus delivers the quote.

 

Geek wisdom: Falling in love and being with that person is taking risk since there is no guarantee the love you feel now will last forever. But the feeling of being with the person you love, even if it’s just for a little while, is worth it.

“You’re a wizard, Harry!”

From: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Rubeus Hagrid

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes way back from the first Harry Potter book and film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The book and film series follows the adventures of Harry Potter, a young wizard in training who is known for being the child to have survived an attack from Lord Voldermont.

The quote comes very early from both the book and the movie. In fact, from the first scene of the movie. Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliff) has been living with his uncle and aunt since the passing of his parents. His new guardians generally treat him like dirt until Hagrid, a giant, comes to their home and tells Harry that he’s been admitted to Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry because of his heritage, even though Harry can’t believe it because of what he’s been told by his uncle and aunt his whole life.

Geek wisdom: We all have potential in ourselves to be something different from what we are. While other people, much like Harry’s uncle and aunt will try to prevent you from being something great and even try to keep you down, you always have to strive to be better because we all can be wizards in our own right.

“It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.”

From: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Dumbledore

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the second book and film of the Harry Potter series, The Chamber of Secrets. The plot revolves around Harry Potter and his friends’ second year at Hogwarts School of Wizardry.

The quote comes during the final moments of the film and the book. Harry (played by a very young Daniel Radcliffe) had just defeated the Basilisk and Dumbledore (played by the late Richard Harris) praises the Boy Who Lived for the accomplishment. Harry, however, is troubled as he noticed that he has a lot of similarities with Tom Riddle, the boy who would become Voldemort (at least in the films). While Dumbledore agrees that the two share some traits, he does with the quote, explaining that they don’t have to be the same…

Geek wisdom: It is not our outward appearance nor the skills and talents that we have that determine what we will become. That will always be up to you. No one can tell you that you should be something just because of your appearance. It’s up to you to determine that.

“So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

From: Gandalf the Grey

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the first chapter of the Lord of the Ring trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring. The story is all about Frodo Baggins, who becomes the bearing of the One Ring and his and his party’s quest to travel to Mordor to destroy it before the Dark Lord Sauron can get his hands on it.

The quote comes during the middle of the film. The party tries to take a shortcut through the mines of Moria, only to discover that the place has been overrun by Orcs and Trolls. Frodo (played by Elijah Wood) notices someone following them. Galdalf comments that it is Gollum, the former owner of the One Ring, who has become obsessed by the Ring’s power. Frodo despairs and wishes he had never come across the item in the first place. This is when Gandalf delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: It is so easy to fall into desperation and despair during troubled times and it is also easy to wallow in the feeling of hopelessness of the situation. But the worst thing you can do during troubling times is do nothing. Whatever the situation is and no matter how dire, there is always something you can do about it. All you have to do is take action.

“Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor. It can never be used to hurt you.”

From: Game of Thrones

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Tyrion Lannister

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the HBO series Game of Thrones. It is a medieval fantasy series based on the book series “A Song of Fire and Ice” by George R. R. Martin. The books focus on several families/houses vying for the Iron Throne and the right to control all of Westeros.

The quote comes from the very first episode of the series, “Winter is Coming.” Tyrion Lannister (played by Peter Dinklage) runs across Jon Snow (played by Kit Harrington). Tyrion Lannister recognizes Jon Snow as the illegitimate son of Ned Stark and calls  him a “bastard.” This does offend Jon Snow to a great degree. This is when Lannister gives him some advice…

Geek wisdom: We live in a world where people will try to ridicule you for what you are and we have a tendency to hide our true selves from the world. What most of us don’t realize that, if we do this, then we are not accepting ourselves for who we really are.

If we are honest with ourselves and allow ourselves to express our true nature, others, despite them trying to make fun of us for whatever it is, won’t be able to hurt us.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

From: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Dumbledore… sort of.

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote was submitted by Vida. We over here are MyGeekWisdom highly appreciate helping out! I’ll actually be quoting Vida for the most part…

 

“Harry went into the forest to meet death at the hands of Voldemort and has awakened to find himself at “Kingʻs Cross” station with Dumbledore instead. This quote occurs after their discussion about recent events and the Elder Wand, with Harry deciding to return to the forest to help his friends defeat the Death Eaters and Voldemort. Harry asks if their conversation is real or only happening in his head…and this is Dumbledoreʻs reply.”

The quote is also given in the film adaption of the book. However, the line is a little bit different…

 

Geek wisdom: “What I find comical and appealing about this quote is how often Dumbledoreʻs views about life can seem quirky and eccentric to most of the other characters. Ron calls him “mad” (in a good way of course). But when one unpacks Dumbledoreʻs statements, there is usually some deeper logic or no logic at all, only Dumbledore highlighting the many paradoxes of life.”

Another way to think of the quote is that, just because something is imaginary or you just conjured it up in your noggin, that doesn’t mean that it can’t have meaning.