How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
No wizarding household is complete without a copy of Fantastic Beasts, well thumbed by the generations who have riffled its pages in search of the best way to rid the lawn of Horklumps, interpret the mournful cries of the Augurey, or cure their pet Puffskein of drinking out of the toilet. (2.1)
That's what books are for. This pretty much sums up the reason for Fantastic Beasts—it's an excellent source of wisdom and knowledge.
Quote #2
It remains only to answer that question to which we all, in our hearts, know the answer: Why do we continue, as a community and as individuals, to attempt to protect and conceal magical beasts, even those that are savage and untameable? The answer is, of course: to ensure that future generations of witches and wizards enjoy their strange beauty and powers as we have been privileged to do. (7.1)
Ah, yes: why keep around a bunch of creatures who want to kill us? Future knowledge, of course. How will wizards be able to learn stuff in the future if they kill these creatures out of fear. These fantastic beasts all need to be preserved for careful study and future educational efforts. Once again, intellectual endeavors win the day. Huzzah!
Quote #3
I offer this work as a mere introduction to the wealth of fantastic beasts that inhabit our world. Seventy-five species are described in the following pages, but I do not doubt that some time this year yet another will be discovered, necessitating a fifty-third revised edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. In the meantime I will merely add that it affords me great pleasure to think that generations of young witches and wizards have grown to a fuller knowledge and understanding of the fantastic beasts I love through the pages of this book. (7.2)
Mr. Scamander is the wisest man in the world because he realizes that he doesn't know a thing. He knows that this book has only scratched the surface of fantastic beasts. There are more out there just waiting to be discovered and he's just itching to put out a 53rd edition packed with even more creature wisdom.
Quote #4
Wizards avoided Augurey nests for fear of hearing that heart-rending sound, and more than one wizard is believed to have suffered a heart attack on passing a thicket and hearing an unseen Augurey wail. Patient research eventually revealed, however, that the Augurey merely sings at the approach of rain. The Augurey has since enjoyed a vogue as a home weather forecaster, though many find its almost continual moaning during the winter months difficult to bear. (9.8)
Nice mythbusting. Mr. Scamander explains that research has actually shown that the Augurey isn't as big of a bummer as people thought. It just sings when it rains. Of course, its cries are still kind of a downer, so you still might want to pass this bird up next time you're shopping in Diagon Alley.
Quote #5
However, since Basilisks are uncontrollable except by Parselmouths, they are as dangerous to most Dark wizards as to anybody else, and there have been no recorded sightings of Basilisks in Britain for at least four hundred years. (10.4)
Um, Mr. Scamander…in this case, your knowledge is incomplete. You might want to check a certain Chamber of Secrets.
Quote #6
Though at first enjoyable, Fwooper song will eventually drive the listener to insanity and the Fwooper is consequently sold with a Silencing Charm upon it, which will need monthly reinforcement. Fwooper owners require licences, as the creatures must be handled responsibly. (14.6)
This is important info to know. You don't want to accidentally wind up at St. Mungo's Hospital because you forgot to keep your Fwooper on silence mode.
Quote #7
The gnome can be expelled from the garden by swinging it in circles until dizzy and then dropping it over the garden wall. (15.3)
This is exactly what Harry and the Weasley family do to rid the Burrow garden on gnomes in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. We're guessing they got this little bit of wisdom straight from Mr. Scamander's book.
Quote #8
The correct means to overcome a kelpie is to get a bridle over its head with a Placement Charm, which renders it docile and unthreatening. (19.3)
Kelpie's are tricky creatures, so it helps to know how to trick them right back. You might want to bring a copy of Fantastic Beasts with you if you ever take a trip to Loch Ness.
Quote #9
The Malaclaw's bite has the unusual side effect of making the victim highly unlucky for a period of up to a week after the injury. If you are bitten by a Malaclaw, all bets, wagers, and speculative ventures should be cancelled, as they are sure to go against the victim. (21.2)
Again: good to know. You'd hate to get bitten by a Malaclaw and then hop on a plane to Vegas with the money you're hoping to double in order to save the orphanage. It's not gonna turn out well.
Quote #10
The Nogtail is exceptionally fast and difficult to catch, though if chased beyond the boundaries of a farm by a pure white dog, it will never return. The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures (Pest Sub-Division) keeps a dozen albino bloodhounds for this purpose. (22.2)
We've never encountered a Nogtail (that we know of), but if we ever do, we'll know to call the Ministry of Magic right away thanks to the helpful information in Mr. Scamander's book. See? It's chock full of wisdom.