If we were talking about anyone else , this kind of demeanour might get along across as a tad passive strong-growing . But in the case of Dumbledore – who ranks among the most powerful sorcerers of all time – it in reality represents him taking the high-pitched route . Sure , dudecoulddestroy most of his enemies with a everyday pic of his wand , but – as this list of Dumbledore ’s best polite burns illustrates – he ’s often content to slay them with his well - nibble word of honor , instead .

“These Are Manners.”

Harry Potter and the Half - line of descent Princeconcludes in fittingly tense style , with a badly weakened Dumbledore disarm and surrounded by a gang of Lord Voldemort’snastiest Death Eaters . Yet despite the dire predicament the Hogwarts Headmaster regain himself in , he still recognize his would - be assailant with perfect grace .

When one of the Death Eaters , Alecto Carrow , mocks Dumbledore for his etiquette – asking if the august wizard believes his“jokes”will save him – his response is priceless:“Jokes ? No , no , these are way . ”But then , that ’s Dumbledore : all category , even when the chips are down .

“I Have Gone Temporarily Deaf.”

Ok , we ’ll admit it : this submission found more of an alley - oop betweenHarry Potterand Dumbledore , rather than an outright burn by Albus himself . Nevertheless , it ’s a screaming example of Dumbledore ’s extraordinary aptitude for enunciate one thing in order of magnitude to have in mind another , which is why we ’ve deemed it worthy of cellular inclusion on this list .

InHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire , Harry furiously label worthless journalist Rita Skeeter a“cow”before quickly apologizing . In response , Dumbledore stool the deadpan announcement,“I have gone temporarily indifferent and have n’t any idea what you said , Harry . ”In doing so , he ’s able-bodied to make his own disdain for Skeeter resoundingly clear , without having to resort to childish name - call himself .

“I’m Not Entirely Sure He Can Read.”

The relationship between Dumbledore and his blood brother Aberforth can be described as “ strained ” at good – the two are largely alienated due toAlbus ’ office in their sister Ariana ’s tragical demise . That said , the pair remained on speaking terms , with Aberforth even function as a member of theOrder of the Phoenix .

For his part , Albus was n’t timid about in public realise his untested sibling ’s admirable qualities – even if he also seldom miss a chance to sneak in a dig at his less - than - astral donnish record . Take Dumbledore ’s pep blab out to Hagrid inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire:“It was all over the papers , but did Aberforth hide ? No , he did not ! He restrain his straits in high spirits and move about his business as common ! Of course , I ’m not all sure he can read , so that may not have been bravery … ”

“Best To Say Nothing At All.”

A scene sorely missing from the film adaptation ofHarry Potter and the Half - Blood Princesees Dumbledore finally takethe Dursley familyto project for the years of mistreatment Harry has suffer at their hands . He take barely disguised glee in administering this blistering tongue - lashing that – whilst never straight-out uncivil – is jam - packed with wolf moments .

When the blustering patriarch stress to head off his uninvited Edgar Albert Guest with:“I do n’t mean to be bad-mannered … ”Dumbledore immediately interject “ – yet , deplorably , accidental rudeness occurs alarmingly often … best to say nothing at all , my high-priced man . ”And that ’s how you shut out down a conversation before it even set out .

“I Should Offer Her A Pay Raise…”

Gentleman that he is , Dumbledore is always unfailingly civil to his fellow Hogwarts prof – but that does n’t mean he ’s unreasoning to the defect of his less competent employees . Take Sybill Trelawney : Albus may be courteous towards this ego - style Seer , but he ’s also to the full mindful that she ’s basically a fraud .

Dumbledore ’s smooth-tongued response upon larn that Trelawney has made her second ever logical prophecy inHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabanreveals as much . show with this news , he quips,“who’d have thought it ? That bring her total of real predictions up to two . I should tender her a salary ascent … ”It ’s a relatively gentle poke , but one lace with SAS all the same !

“About Time, Too.”

Even Albus ’ feathery friend does n’t escape his maestro ’s unspoilt - natured ribbing . This playful moral force is established early on in the series after Fawkes the Phoenix burst into flames in front of Harry Potter inHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets .

“You Have Been Looking In The Wrong Places.”

This entry is concerned with another fundamental moment fromHarry Potter and the Half - Blood Princethat never made the jump to the self-aggrandising screen : a flashback which shows Dumbledore visited at Hogwarts by a younger Lord Voldemort . apparently , Voldemort is there to put his name forward for a teaching spear at the school , but this offhanded business interview before long transitions into a shoot down debate over the virtues of dearest - based magic versus the Dark Arts .

thing reach their crescendo when Voldemort confidently proclaims that he ’s never come across any evidence that love is more sinewy than his own trade name of disastrous magic . Dumbledore skillfully ripostes with the suggestion,“perhaps you have been look in the wrong places,”which may not seem like it justify the label “ burn , ” but it cut the Dark Lord late enough that he was scarcely capable to hold the impulse to curse his archfoe on the spot !

“I Can Think Of A Whole Host Of Things I’d Rather Be Doing.”

The face-off between Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge ( and his Ministry minions ) inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixis considerably more protracted in the novel than in the film . In the book , after Albus makes it unmortgaged he has no intention of coming quietly , he go on to predicate that even if hewaslocked away inAzkaban , he could break free with no trouble .

Now , he could just as easily have provide it at that – after all , hedidjust casually diss the Ministry of Magic ’s supposedly inescapable prison directly to the Minister himself . But Dumbledore decides to cast away in a short extra spicery by adding“ … and frankly , I can think of a whole host of thing I would rather be doing . ”Ouch .

“It Would Have Been Better Manners To Drink It.”

Let ’s come back to the third chapter ofHarry Potter and the Half - profligate Prince , and yet another instance of Dumbledore ladle out snark to the Dursleys , this metre in the form of a deterrent example on social decorum . As alluded to to begin with , when he sits down for his not - so - pleasant New World chat with Harry ’s repugnant relatives , Albusconjuresglasses of mead for them to all to sip on .

lawful to form , the Dursleys reject Dumbledore ’s hospitality to the point where their cups are rapping them over the principal . The Hogwarts Headmaster then banishes the glasses , but notes“ … it would have been well manners to pledge it , you know . ”Uncle Vernon is again left speechless , bringing the mark to 2 - 0 in Dumbledore ’s favour .

“Not Unless You’re Foolish Enough To Force Me To.”

Finally , rent ’s highlight Albus ’ hang for talk tough when threaten … without everactuallytalking knotty . This natural endowment comes to the cutting edge when Cornelius Fudge – confident that his triumph is assured through the strength of numbers – sneers at Dumbledore:“So … you intend to take on Dawlish , Shacklebolt , Dolores , and myself single - handed , do you , Dumbledore ? ”

Albus ’ answer is classic – and perfectly encapsulates just how little he fears their combined powers in comparison tohis own:“Merlin ’s face fungus , no … Not unless you are foolish enough to force me to . ”

NEXT:10 Hilarious Harry Potter Logic Memes That Are Too laughable

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley looking at a crystal ball in Harry Potter.

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How Rachel Zegler’s

Albus Dumbledore leading assembly in the /Great Hall from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Death Eaters

Miranda Richardson in Harry Potter taking notes.

Aberforth Dumbledore smoking a pipe in Harry Potter

The Dursley family looking shocked at a letter in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Trelawney in Harry Potter

Richard Harris as Dumbledore with Fawkes the Phoenix in Harry Potter

Dumbledore playing with his wand in Deathly Hallows Part 2.

Azkaban Shape in Harry Potter

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The Ministry of Magic

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