Much of my childhood was spent reading and re-reading the Harry Potter series. Such an impression was made upon my mind, by the words of J. K. Rowling, that even now I can trace back many of my thoughts and life lessons to those well worn pages. Of all the characters, I found Dumbledore to be the most inspiring. His wisdom was passed down to me, word for word, like a sage to an adherent. I pondered these words for many a year, and still I ponder them now...

It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more. 

Perhaps Dumbledore's wisdom is made the greater by his innate sense of humour. A lover of knitting patterns, teller of tales about odd birthmarks, and contented recipient of Christmas socks, Dumbledore never seems to take himself too seriously.