“If you want to know what a man’s like, take a look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”
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Tags: advice beliefs bullies bullying character equality inequality intentions judgement judgment kindness lessons morality privilege respect strengths values weaknesses wisdom
This quote is particularly interesting coming from Sirius, whose ultimate downfall is his treatment of Kreacher, his family's house-elf. When Harry and Dumbledore speak after Sirius' death in the Department of Mysteries, Dumbledore tells Harry, "[Kreacher] was forced to do Sirius's bidding, because Sirius was the last of the family to which he was enslaved, but he felt no true loyalty to him. And whatever Kreacher's faults, it must be admitted that Sirius did nothing to make Kreacher's lot easier--(OP37)." When Harry protests, Dumbledore continues, "Sirius was not a cruel man, he was kind to house-elves in general. He had no love for Kreacher, because Kreacher was a living reminder of the home Sirius had hated" (OP37).
For more thoughts regarding Sirius' varied success at overcoming his status-obsessed upbringing, read How A Man Treats His Inferiors.
--AK