--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: However my parents - both of whom came…" description: "\"However my parents - both of whom came from impoverished backgrounds and neither of whom had been to college, took the view that my overactive imaginat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/j-k-rowling-2-683_amusing_however-my-parents-both-of-whom-came-fro_3091084.jpg" --- # However my parents - both of whom came from impoverished… ![“However my parents - both of whom came from impoverished backgrounds and neither of whom had been to college, took the view that my overactive imagination was an amusing quirk that would never pay a mortgage or secure a pension.” quote by J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/j-k-rowling-2-683_amusing_however-my-parents-both-of-whom-came-fro_3091084.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/j-k-rowling-2-683_amusing_however-my-parents-both-of-whom-came-fro_3091084.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/j-k-rowling-2-683_amusing_however-my-parents-both-of-whom-came-fro_3091084.jpg) > “However my parents - both of whom came from impoverished backgrounds and neither of whom had been to college, took the view that my overactive imagination was an amusing quirk that would never pay a mortgage or secure a pension.” [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Imagination is often dismissed by those with modest means, yet it can be a powerful driver of future success. **In simple terms:** Dreams may seem impractical to others. Key Takeaway Nurture your imagination despite skepticism. Themes creativity social class perseverance Mood reflective determined Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - artistic pursuits - entrepreneurship - education decisions Key Concepts growth mindset economic mobility Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn a quirky imagination into practical value? - What support systems help bridge creativity and livelihood? A Different Perspective Not all imaginative ideas translate directly into financial stability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amusing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusing/) [Amusing Quirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusing-quirk-5315373/) [Backgrounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backgrounds/) [College](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Imagination Amusing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination-amusing-4544670/) [Impoverished Backgrounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impoverished-backgrounds-4544668/) [Mortgage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortgage/) [Overactive imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overactive-imagination/) [Overactive imaginations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overactive-imaginations-138175/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents Came](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents-came/) [Pay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pay/) [Pension](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pension/) [Quirks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quirks/) [Secure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secure/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/) ## Related quotes > [“My parents, both of whom came from impoverished backgrounds and neither of whom had been to college, took the view that my overactive imagination…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/my-parents-both-of-whom-came-from-impoverished-backgrounds-and/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [Lilly says I have an overactive imagination and a pathological need to invent drama in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/lilly-says-i-have-an-overactive-imagination-and-a-pathological-need/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [I've always had a slightly overactive imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/i-ve-always-had-a-slightly-overactive-imagination/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [It is an overactive imagination that turns men into cowards, not a surfeit of fear, as many believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/it-is-an-overactive-imagination-that-turns-men-into-cowards-not-a/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“That was the trouble with freethinkers, they had overactive imaginations that made them uncertain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-f-hamilton/that-was-the-trouble-with-freethinkers-they-had-overactive/) [Peter F. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-f-hamilton/) > [All that you ever need to know about genitals is that they are made up of flesh, blood, and millions of tiny, restless nerve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-serano/all-that-you-ever-need-to-know-about-genitals-is-that-they-are-made/) [Julia Serano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-serano/) > [I've got an overactive brain. I enjoy work, I enjoy life, and I'm not good at relaxing. I've also never slept very much due…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-wakeman/i-ve-got-an-overactive-brain-i-enjoy-work-i-enjoy-life-and-i-m-not/) [Rick Wakeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-wakeman/) > [Ok, soooo I really have an overactive imagination, lol! Here is just an excerpt of sorts haha you tell me what you think…:) So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/treasure-heroine-actress-princess/ok-soooo-i-really-have-an-overactive-imagination-lol-here-is-just-an/) [Treasure/Heroine/Actress/Princess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/treasure-heroine-actress-princess/) > [I don't believe my house was haunted. I think I had an overactive imagination, and I was so convinced that those around me became…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-gosling/i-don-t-believe-my-house-was-haunted-i-think-i-had-an-overactive/) [Ryan Gosling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-gosling/) > [“In the absence of sleep, my restless nights have been fueled by my overactive imagination, weaving waking dreams onto the canvas of conception. Filling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaeda-dewalt/in-the-absence-of-sleep-my-restless-nights-have-been-fueled-by-my/) [Jaeda DeWalt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaeda-dewalt/) > [And me? I'd just have the biggest smile :D cause I was hanging out with my fav guys hehe:):) At some moments I'd do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/treasure-heroine-actress-princess/and-me-i-d-just-have-the-biggest-smile-d-cause-i-was-hanging-out-with/) [Treasure/Heroine/Actress/Princess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/treasure-heroine-actress-princess/) > [“A game like sardines is scary, not so much for the hider but for the seekers. It's scary because you lose your companions and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-palmieri/a-game-like-sardines-is-scary-not-so-much-for-the-hider-but-for-the/) [Suzanne Palmieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-palmieri/) > [“Your imagination is one of the most powerful tools available to the human mind. Encourage imagination, embrace it, and utilize it. There is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-alden/your-imagination-is-one-of-the-most-powerful-tools-available-to-the/) [Michael Alden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-alden/) > [“The trouble was that Itzy had what her mother had always called an ‘overactive imagination’. Even if she wanted to stop the stories from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vrinda-pendred/the-trouble-was-that-itzy-had-what-her-mother-had-always-called-an/) [Vrinda Pendred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vrinda-pendred/) > [I was a weird little kid who just had this wild overactive imagination. I don't even think I realised that I loved performing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-lou-wood/i-was-a-weird-little-kid-who-just-had-this-wild-overactive/) [Aimee Lou Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-lou-wood/) ## More by J. K. Rowling > [I don't think about who the audience is for my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-about-who-the-audience-is-for-my-books/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [... there are far, far worse things in the living world than dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/there-are-far-far-worse-things-in-the-living-world-than-dying/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [Be ruthless about protecting writing days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/be-ruthless-about-protecting-writing-days/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [“I'll join you when Hell freezes over," said Neville. "Dumbledore's Army!" he shouted, and there was an answering cheer from the crowd, whom Voldemort's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-ll-join-you-when-hell-freezes-over-said-neville-dumbledore-s-army/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I just hate meetings. Though it's true that once you've made a lot of money, people around you might be full of ideas about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-just-hate-meetings-though-it-s-true-that-once-you-ve-made-a-lot-of/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [What's the worst that could happen? Everyone turned me down; big deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/what-s-the-worst-that-could-happen-everyone-turned-me-down-big-deal/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [Talent and intelligence never yet inoculated anyone against the caprice of the fates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/talent-and-intelligence-never-yet-inoculated-anyone-against-the/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I don't think there's any harm at all in allowing a kid to fantasize. In fact, I think to stop people from fantasizing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-there-s-any-harm-at-all-in-allowing-a-kid-to-fantasize/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I don't think I am evangelical in my work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-i-am-evangelical-in-my-work/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/the-mind-is-not-a-book-to-be-opened-at-will-and-examined-at-leisure/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [You'll stay with me?' Until the very end,' said James.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/you-ll-stay-with-me-until-the-very-end-said-james/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I'm not anti-middle-class in the slightest. Look at me! I am very pro people putting time and money and effort into trying to improve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-m-not-anti-middle-class-in-the-slightest-look-at-me-i-am-very-pro/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I'd always said never say never, because I knew that Warner Brothers wanted to do something with "Fantastic Beasts," and I did have kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-d-always-said-never-say-never-because-i-knew-that-warner-brothers/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I'm not putting them on,” said old Archie in indignation. “I like a healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-m-not-putting-them-on-said-old-archie-in-indignation-i-like-a/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [As he followed Bill back to the others a wry though came to him, born no doubt of the wine he had drunk. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/as-he-followed-bill-back-to-the-others-a-wry-though-came-to-him-born/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) [Explore all 402 J. K. Rowling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) ## More Amusing quotes > [“I have found it an amusing strategy, when asked whether I am an atheist, to point out that the questioner is also an atheist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/i-have-found-it-an-amusing-strategy-when-asked-whether-i-am-an/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [By amusing myself with all these games, all this nonsense, all these picture puzzles, I became famous... I am only a public entertainer who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/by-amusing-myself-with-all-these-games-all-this-nonsense-all-these/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [I was reading Neil Postman's 'Amusing Ourselves to Death'. It's one of my favourites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-faiyaz/i-was-reading-neil-postman-s-amusing-ourselves-to-death-it-s-one-of/) [Brent Faiyaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-faiyaz/) > [People of our time are losing the power of celebration. Instead of celebrating we seek to be amused or entertained. Celebration is an active…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/people-of-our-time-are-losing-the-power-of-celebration-instead-of/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [No one survives in times of war unless they make war their home. How did I get so old and wise, but for welcoming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/no-one-survives-in-times-of-war-unless-they-make-war-their-home-how/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) > [Funny things tend not to happen to me. I am not a natural comic. I need to think about things a lot before I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-atkinson/funny-things-tend-not-to-happen-to-me-i-am-not-a-natural-comic-i-need/) [Rowan Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-atkinson/) > [ \[A\]n Obama presidency would be an amusing approximation of the Carter administration, complete with vaporous moralizing and foreign policy bungling. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmett-tyrrell/a-n-obama-presidency-would-be-an-amusing-approximation-of-the-carter/) [Emmett Tyrrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmett-tyrrell/) > [It's amusing how arrogant people can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-amusing-how-arrogant-people-can-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Men are not amusing during the shooting season; but, after all, my dear, men were not especially designed to amuse women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/men-are-not-amusing-during-the-shooting-season-but-after-all-my-dear/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [All men are fools, if truth be told, but the ones in motley are more amusing than ones with crowns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-men-are-fools-if-truth-be-told-but-the-ones-in-motley-are-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most poetry is the utterance of a man in some state of passion, love, joy, grief, rage, etc., and no doubt this is as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/most-poetry-is-the-utterance-of-a-man-in-some-state-of-passion-love/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [It's always amusing to see how much less the political class knows than the rest of us do. ... it's never occurred to \[the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-d-cox/it-s-always-amusing-to-see-how-much-less-the-political-class-knows/) [Stephen D. Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-d-cox/) > [Are there bears in these mountains?" he asked. His companion nodded. "Of course. But it's a bit early in the year for them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/are-there-bears-in-these-mountains-he-asked-his-companion-nodded-of/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [I always find it amusing to overhear women who have never had babies discussing what a pregnant chick should 'look' like at a certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catt-sadler/i-always-find-it-amusing-to-overhear-women-who-have-never-had-babies/) [Catt Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catt-sadler/) > [The generation of random numbers is too important to be left to chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-coveyou/the-generation-of-random-numbers-is-too-important-to-be-left-to-chance/) [Robert Coveyou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-coveyou/) [Browse all 436 Amusing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "However my parents - both of whom came from impoverished backgrounds and neither of whom had been to college, took the view that my overactive imagination was an amusing quirk that would never pay a mortgage or secure a pension.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J. 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