55 Snape Quotes from the Charismatic Wizard of the Harry Potter Series

The iconic character of Severus Snape from the popular franchise "Harry Potter" is revered as a morally gray character across the fandom. In this article, we quote 55 of his most famous phrases across the movie installments.

Snape is widely contested on whether or not he was a good or evil-doer in "Harry Potter." The fandom's conflict of deeming him a hero or not has a lot to do with how the character treated his students. At times, Snape could be unnecessarily cruel, especially with regard to how he treated Harry Potter.

Despite his snarky ways, which see him take on the villainous role sometimes, Snape was able to redeem himself. His transformation from villain to do-gooder takes place toward the end of the film franchise.

In the end, his callous, cold, and slightly sarcastic ways were unmasked to uncover that underneath it all, Snape had a kind heart that enabled him to make sacrifices for the ones he loved. Below are 55 Snape quotes that speak to his personality.

Severus Snape's quote: "You see what you expect to see." | Source: YouTube/harrypotter

Severus Snape Iconic Quotes

"Yes, it is easy to see that nearly six years of magical education have not been wasted on you, Potter. 'Ghosts are transparent.' " — Severus Snape

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic." — Severus Snape

"How grand it must be to be the Chosen One." — Severus Snape

"The mind is a complex and many-layered thing, Potter – or at least, most minds are." — Severus Snape

"You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented them — I, the Half-Blood Prince!" — Severus Snape

Severus Snape's quote: "Are you incapable of restraining yourself, or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?" | Source: YouTube/harrypotter

"Ah, yes. Harry Potter. Our new - celebrity." — Severus Snape

"You ought to be careful. People will think you're up to something" — Severus Snape

"Control your emotions. Discipline your mind!" — Severus Snape

"You see what you expect to see." — Severus Snape

"How extraordinarily like your father you are, Potter. He too was exceedingly arrogant." — Severus Snape

Severus Snape's quote: "Have you ever considered that you ask too much, that you take too much for granted?" | Source: YouTube/harrypotter

"How touchingly paternal, Black. Perhaps Potter will grow up to be a felon, just like his godfather!" — Severus Snape

"I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter... not even the Chosen One." — Severus Snape

Severus Snape Famous Quotes

"Well, it may have escaped your notice, but life isn't fair." — Severus Snape

"Fools who wear their hearts proudly on their sleeves, who cannot control their emotions, who wallow in sad memories and allow themselves to be provoked so easily - weak people, in other words - they stand no chance against his powers! He will penetrate your mind with absurd ease, Potter!" — Severus Snape

"Albus Dumbledore: Severus, please.

Severus Snape: Avada Kedavra!" — "Harry Potter"

"Longbottom, at the end of this lesson we will feed a few drops of this potion to your toad and see what happens. Perhaps that will encourage you to do it properly." — Severus Snape

"The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible." — Severus Snape

Severus Snape's quote: "Would you like me to do it now? Or would you like a few moments to compose an epitaph?" | Source: YouTube/harrypotter

"You've kept him alive so that he can die at the proper moment." — Severus Snape

"I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death — if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach." — Severus Snape

"Look at me. You have your mother's eyes." — Severus Snape

"And if I ever hear you criticize the way I teach a class again, you will be sorry indeed." — Severus Snape

"I have spied for you and lied for you, put myself in mortal danger for you. Everything was supposed to be to keep Lily Potter's son safe. Now you tell me you have been raising him like a pig for slaughter..." — Severus Snape

Severus Snape's quote: "Well, it may have escaped your notice, but life isn't fair." | Source: YouTube/harrypotter

"You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrell." — Severus Snape

"You are just like your father, lazy, arrogant." — Severus Snape

"So when the time comes, the boy must die?" — Severus Snape

"Vengeance is very sweet. How I hoped I would be the one to catch you." — Severus Snape

"Are you incapable of restraining yourself, or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?" — Severus Snape

Severus Snape's quote: "How extraordinary like your father you are, Potter. He too was exceedingly arrogant." | Source: YouTube/harrypotter

"Has it ever crossed your brilliant mind that I don't want to do this anymore?" — Severus Snape

"What would your head have been doing in Hogsmeade, Potter? Your head is not allowed in Hogsmeade. No part of your body has permission to be in Hogsmeade." — Severus Snape

"I wish, I wish I were dead." — Severus Snape

"I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses." — Severus Snape

"I can't change the Dark Lord's mind. But it might be possible for me to help Draco." — Severus Snape

Severus Snape's quote: "You've kept him alive so that he can die at the proper moment." | Source: YouTube/harrypotter

"Very well. Very well. But never, never tell, Dumbledore! This must be between us! Swear it! I cannot bear... especially Potter's son. I want your word!" — Severus Snape

"There is no wand more powerful, Ollivander himself has said. Tonight, when the boy comes, it will not fail you, I am sure of it. It answers to you, and you only." — Severus Snape

"Don't lie to me." — Severus Snape

Severus Snape Memorable Quotes

"Then why does it have the name 'Roonil Wazlib' written inside the front cover?" — Severus Snape

"Another ten points from Gryffindor. I would expect nothing more sophisticated from you, Ronald Weasley, the boy so solid he cannot Apparate half an inch across a room." — Severus Snape

"Listen to you two, quarreling like an old married couple." — Severus Snape

"That is just as well, Potter, because you are neither special nor important, and it is not up to you to find out what the Dark Lord is saying to his Death Eaters." — Severus Snape

"The mind is not a book to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by an invader." — Severus Snape

Severus Snape's quote: "Vengeance is very sweet. How I hoped I would be the one to catch you." | Source: YouTube/harrypotter

"I have deceived one of the greatest wizards of all time." — Severus Snape

"Well, well, Lupin. Out for a little walk in the moonlight, are we?" — Severus Snape

"Tut, tut — fame clearly isn't everything." — Severus Snape

"Well, it may have escaped your notice, but life isn't fair." — Severus Snape

"Weasley's wand causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending Potter to the hospital wing in a matchbox." — Severus Snape

Severus Snape's quote: "I can't change the Dark Lord's mind. But it might be possible for me to help Draco." | Source: YouTube/harrypotter

"I'm afraid you have used up all my stores interrogating students, the last of it on Miss Chang. Unless you wish to poison Potter, and I assure you, I would have the greatest sympathy if you did, I cannot help you." — Severus Snape

"Albus Dumbledore: Lily. After all this time?

Severus Snape: Always." — "Harry Potter"

"It's real for us." — Severus Snape

"There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. However, for those select few who possess the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses." — Severus Snape

Severus Snape's quote: "Tut, tut — fame clearly isn't everything." | Source: YouTube/harrypotter

"Have you ever considered that you ask too much, that you take too much for granted?" — Severus Snape

"Then you will find yourself easy prey for the Dark Lord!" — Severus Snape

"That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger. Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all." — Severus Snape

"And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek, Potter." — Severus Snape

"You've just earned yourself detention for a month, McLaggen." — Severus Snape

Severus Snape's quote: "It's real for us." | Source: YouTube/harrypotter

Though sharp-edged and cunning in some of his actions, the wizard that JK Rowling created is also considered a character full of wisdom and invaluable insights. The above Snape quotes show the deep intricacies and complex ways of who he was, which was more than what met the eye.

For more legendary "Harry Potter" quotes that evoked heartfelt emotion within readers, check out this article.