Quotes by Phineas Nigellus Black

You know, Minister, I disagree with Dumbledore on many counts... but you cannot deny he's got style.

"Never try to understand the students. They hate it. They would much rather be tragically misunderstood, wallow in self-pity, stew in their own -"
"That's enough, Phineas," said Dumbledore.

You know, this is precisely why I loathed being a teacher! Young people are so infernally convinced that they are right about everything.

I wonder almost daily why I accepted this appointment from the Ministry.

"I thought," said Phineas Nigellus, stroking his pointed beard, "that to belong in Gryffindor house you were supposed to be brave? It looks to me as though you would have been better off in my own house. We Slytherins are brave, yes, but not stupid. For instance, given the choice, we will always choose to save our own necks."

Probably another message for my worthless great-great-grandson.

Phineas Nigellus called, in his high, reedy voice, "And let it be noted that Slytherin House played its part! Let our contribution not be forgotten!"

Like all young people, you are quite sure that you alone feel and think, you alone recognize danger, you alone are the only one clever enough to realise...