Principles Quotes in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Now, if there's no countercurse, why I am I showing you? Because you've got to know. You've got to appreciate what the worst is. You don't want to find yourself in a situation where you're facing it. CONSTANT VIGILANCE! (14.71)

Moody starts off his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes with a demonstration of the three Unforgivable Curses. But, as he asks, why show them these curses if there is "no countercurse" (at least, to Avada Kedavra)? Practically speaking, what might "constant vigilance" mean? How should you practice it? What examples do we see if this vigilance in Harry Potter? Does Moody's principle have any application to your life? What are the costs to Moody of living this way? Is it worth it?

Quote #5

"So ... got any ideas how you're going to get past your dragon yet?" said Moody.

"No," said Harry.

"Well, I'm not going to tell you," said Moody gruffly. "I don't show favoritism, me. I'm just going to give you some good, general advice." (20.62-4)

Moody congratulates Harry for being honest enough to tell Cedric about the dragons. And then, claiming, "I don't show favoritism, me," he proceeds to tell Harry what he should do to get around the first task – as in, he tells Harry and not Cedric. Of course, knowledge isn't enough; Harry still has to do it. But Moody has given Harry a huge helping hand. This scene is another one of those interesting Moody moments that reads so differently the second time around. On the first reading, we believed that Moody's motives were totally good. Maybe he was showing favoritism, but Harry is our main character and we barely know Cedric Diggory, so it didn't seem to matter. Of course, on the second reading, Moody's willingness to show such strong preference for Harry in the build-up to the third task seems a lot more sinister. One thing we like about Goblet of Fire is that the plotting is inventive enough that we didn't guess the ending the first time around and we still enjoy rereading it – a rare feat.

Quote #6

"Ashamed?" said Hermione blankly. "But – Winky, come on! It's Mr. Crouch who should be ashamed, not you! You didn't do anything wrong, he was really horrible to you –"

But at these words, Winky clapped her hands over the holes in her hat, flattening her ears so that she couldn't hear a word, and screeched, "You is not insulting my master, miss! You is not insulting Mr. Crouch! Mr. Crouch is a good wizard, miss! Mr. Crouch is right to sack bad Winky!" (21.144-5)

From the fight between Winky, Dobby, and Hermione about Mr. Crouch, what can we tell about house-elf principles? Do you think that it's possible for a species to have its own principles? Are there principles that all humans should generally follow? What are they?