--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In times of old when I was new And…" description: "\"“In times of old when I was new And Hogwarts barely started The founders of our noble school Thought never to be parted: United by a common goal, They ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/j-k-rowling-86_common-goal_in-times-of-old-when-i-was-new-and-hogwa_56625.jpg" --- # In times of old when I was new And Hogwarts barely started… ![“In times of old when I was new And Hogwarts barely started The founders of our noble school Thought never to be parted: United by a common goal, They had the selfsame yearning, To make the world’s best magic school And pass along their learning. “Together we will build and teach!” The four good…” quote by J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/j-k-rowling-86_common-goal_in-times-of-old-when-i-was-new-and-hogwa_56625.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/j-k-rowling-86_common-goal_in-times-of-old-when-i-was-new-and-hogwa_56625.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/j-k-rowling-86_common-goal_in-times-of-old-when-i-was-new-and-hogwa_56625.jpg) > ““In times of old when I was new And Hogwarts barely started The founders of our noble school Thought never to be parted: United by a common goal, They had the selfsame yearning, To make the world’s best magic school And pass along their learning. “Together we will build and teach!” The four good friends decided And never did they dream that they Might someday be divided, For were there such friends anywhere As Slytherin and Gryffindor? Unless it was the second pair Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw? So how could it have gone so wrong? How could such friendships fail? Why, I was there and so can tell The whole sad, sorry tale. Said Slytherin, “We’ll teach just those Whose ancestry is purest.” Said Ravenclaw, “We’ll teach those whose Intelligence is surest.” Said Gryffindor, “We’ll teach all those With brave deeds to their name.” Said Hufflepuff, “I’ll teach the lot, And treat them just the same.” These differences caused little strife When first they came to light, For each of the four founders had A House in which they might Take only those they wanted, so, For instance, Slytherin Took only pure-blood wizards Of great cunning, just like him, And only those of sharpest mind Were taught by Ravenclaw While the bravest and the boldest Went to daring Gryffindor. Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest, And taught them all she knew, Thus the Houses and their founders Retained friendships firm and true. So Hogwarts worked in harmony For several happy years, But then discord crept among us Feeding on our faults and fears. The Houses that, like pillars four, Had once held up our school, Now turned upon each other and, Divided, sought to rule. And for a while it seemed the school Must meet an early end, What with dueling and with fighting And the clash of friend on friend And at last there came a morning When old Slytherin departed And though the fighting then died out He left us quite downhearted. And never since the founders four Were whittled down to three Have the Houses been united As they once were meant to be. And now the Sorting Hat is here And you all know the score: I sort you into Houses Because that is what I’m for, But this year I’ll go further, Listen closely to my song: Though condemned I am to split you Still I worry that it’s wrong, Though I must fulfill my duty And must quarter every year Still I wonder whether Sorting May not bring the end I fear. Oh, know the perils, read the signs, The warning history shows, For our Hogwarts is in danger From external, deadly foes And we must unite inside her Or we’ll crumble from within. I have told you, I have warned you. . . . Let the Sorting now begin. The hat became motionless once more;”” [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A poetic retelling of Hogwarts' founding, showing how each house's exclusive values sowed division and eventual loss of unity. **In simple terms:** Exclusive criteria breed conflict. Key Takeaway Inclusivity sustains harmony. Themes division tradition identity conflict unity Mood nostalgic reflective cautionary Type narrative allegorical poetic When to use this quote - school governance - team building - cultural integration - leadership training Key Concepts house system founders values social stratification Practical Applications - educational policy design - organizational culture workshops Questions to Reflect On - What happens when groups prioritize purity over collaboration? - How can institutions balance distinct identities with collective purpose? A Different Perspective null ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Common goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Good friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-friend/) [Good friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-friends/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Not Slytherin, eh?...Are you sure? 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Unless it was the second pair Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw? So how could it have gone so wrong? How could such friendships fail? Why, I was there and so can tell The whole sad, sorry tale. Said Slytherin, “We’ll teach just those Whose ancestry is purest.” Said Ravenclaw, “We’ll teach those whose Intelligence is surest.” Said Gryffindor, “We’ll teach all those With brave deeds to their name.” Said Hufflepuff, “I’ll teach the lot, And treat them just the same.” These differences caused little strife When first they came to light, For each of the four founders had A House in which they might Take only those they wanted, so, For instance, Slytherin Took only pure-blood wizards Of great cunning, just like him, And only those of sharpest mind Were taught by Ravenclaw While the bravest and the boldest Went to daring Gryffindor. Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest, And taught them all she knew, Thus the Houses and their founders Retained friendships firm and true. So Hogwarts worked in harmony For several happy years, But then discord crept among us Feeding on our faults and fears. The Houses that, like pillars four, Had once held up our school, Now turned upon each other and, Divided, sought to rule. And for a while it seemed the school Must meet an early end, What with dueling and with fighting And the clash of friend on friend And at last there came a morning When old Slytherin departed And though the fighting then died out He left us quite downhearted. And never since the founders four Were whittled down to three Have the Houses been united As they once were meant to be. And now the Sorting Hat is here And you all know the score: I sort you into Houses Because that is what I’m for, But this year I’ll go further, Listen closely to my song: Though condemned I am to split you Still I worry that it’s wrong, Though I must fulfill my duty And must quarter every year Still I wonder whether Sorting May not bring the end I fear. Oh, know the perils, read the signs, The warning history shows, For our Hogwarts is in danger From external, deadly foes And we must unite inside her Or we’ll crumble from within. I have told you, I have warned you. . . . Let the Sorting now begin. The hat became motionless once more;”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J.K. Rowling" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/in-times-of-old-when-i-was-new-and-hogwarts-barely-started-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Common goal" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/in-times-of-old-when-i-was-new-and-hogwarts-barely-started-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/j-k-rowling-86_common-goal_in-times-of-old-when-i-was-new-and-hogwa_56625.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/j-k-rowling-86_common-goal_in-times-of-old-when-i-was-new-and-hogwa_56625.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/j-k-rowling-86_common-goal_in-times-of-old-when-i-was-new-and-hogwa_56625.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In times of old when I was new And Hogwarts barely started The founders of our noble school Thought never to…” — J.K. 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