J. K. Rowling Quotes

The opposite of bravery is not cowardice but conformity.

Disobedience is the stamp of the hero.

The opposite of courage is not so much fear as it is conformity.

If we must put our head into the lion’s mouth, let us make certain that he chokes upon our flesh!

Come on, fire bullets at me. I am prepared to die for the sake of the people.

The people's flag is deepest red; It shrouded oft our martyred dead .... Then raise the scarlet standard high. Within its shade we'll live or die. Tho' cowards flinch and traitors sneer, We'll keep the red flag flying here.

One should never put on one's best trousers to go out to fight for freedom.

In the American provinces formerly subject to the Spanish Empire a brilliant scene is opened at present, the valor, the resolution of the heroes, the enthusiasm of the ancient and modern republicans have been displayed gloriously for the cause of national liberty. The sword of expiring tyranny has immolated in some places many victims; but from their blood new heroes have arisen.

I am ... one of a different sort: one of those who risks his skin to prove his platitudes.

It is better to die fighting than to live begging.

Dare! — this word contains all the politics of our revolution.

Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then, Bowed with her fourscore years and ten; Bravest of all in Frederick town, She took up the flag the men hauled down; In her attic-window the staff she set, To show that one heart was loyal yet. Up the street came the rebel tread, Stonewall Jackson riding ahead. Under his slouched hat left and right He glanced: the old flag met his sight. "Halt!"—the dust-brown ranks stood fast. "Fire!"—out blazed the rifle-blast.  It shivered the window, pane and sash; It rent the banner with seam and gash. Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf; She leaned far out on the window-sill, And shook it forth with a royal will. "Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, But spare your country's flag," she said.

Blandishments will not fascinate us, nor will threats of a "halter" intimidate. For, under God, we are determined that wheresoever, whensoever, or howsoever we shall be called to make our exit, we will die free men.

After a sheltered life, I went the other way. I wanted to prove how tough I was.

I think my whole life has been one of sort of daring, and sort of sailing against the wind instead of just going with the wind.

A modern hero is very ambiguous. I went through some very rough times in Czechoslovakia - the occupation by the Germans at the end of the war. We had people going against their tanks with brooms. Are they nuts, or are they heroes?

Ofglen is a little different than the other Handmaids because she has a really rebellious spirit and she has the hope that she could escape.

I like taking on the tough guys.

I ain't scared of nobody.

Nor is there wanting in the press Some spirit to stand simply forth, Heroic in it nakedness, Against the uttermost of earth. The tale of earth's unhonored things Sounds nobler there than 'neath the sun; And the mind whirls and the heart sings, And a shout greets the daring one.

The will to do, the soul to dare..

It is true that I must run a great risk; no gallant action was ever accomplished without danger.

Once there was a little bunny who wanted to run away. So he said to his mother, "I am running away". "If you run away", said his mother, "I will run after you. For you are my little bunny".

The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave.

To dare: that is the whole secret of revolutions.