Quotes by J.R.R. Tolkien

But Ilúvatar knew that Men, being set amid the turmoils of the powers of the world, would stray often, and would not use their gifts in harmony; and he said: These too in their time shall find that all that they do redounds at the end only to the glory of my work.

Indeed the mind of Ilúvatar concerning you is not known to the Valar, and he has not revealed all things that are to come. But this we hold to be true, that your home is not here, neither in the land of Aman nor anywhere within the Circles of the World. And the Doom of Men, that they should depart, was at first a gift of Ilúvatar. It became a grief to them only because coming under the shadow of Morgoth it seemed to them that they were surrounded by a great darkness, of which they grew afraid; and some grew wilful and proud and would not yield, until life was reft from them.

For the rest, they shall represent the other Free Peoples of the World: Elves, Dwarves, and Men, Legolas shall be for the Elves; and Gimli son of Gloin for the Dwarves. They are willing to go at least to the passes of the Mountains, and maybe beyond. For Men you shall have Aragorn son of Arathorn, for the Ring of Isildur concerns him closely

Against delay. Against the way that seems easier. Against refusal of the burden that is laid on me. Against - well, if it must be said, against trust in the strength and truth of Men.

Memory is not what the heart desires. That is only a mirror....

Old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know.

Faerie is a perilous land, and in it are pitfalls for the unwary and dungeons for the overbold...The realm of fairy-story is wide and deep and high and filled with many things: all manner of beasts and birds are found there; shoreless seas and stars uncounted; beauty that is an enchantment, and an ever-present peril; both joy and sorrow as sharp as swords. In that realm a man may, perhaps, count himself fortunate to have wandered, but its very richness and strangeness tie the tongue of a traveller who would report them. And while he is there it is dangerous for him to ask too many questions, lest the gates should be shut and the keys be lost.

Then sudden Felagund there swayingSang in answer a song of staying,Resisting, battling against power,Of secrets kept, strength like a tower,And trust unbroken, freedom, escape;Of changing and of shifting shape,Of snares eluded, broken traps,The prison opening, the chain that snaps.

Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.

I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. ~ Gandalf (J. R. R. Tolkein ~ The Hobbit)

Not all those who wander are lost.

All that is gold does not glitter,Not all those who wander are lost.

Bilbo was sadly reflecting that adventures are not all pony-rides in May-sunshine...

But our back is to legends and we are coming home. I suppose this is the first taste of it.There is a long road yet, said Gandalf.But it is the last road, said Bilbo.

The stars are far brighterThan gems without measure,The moon is far whiterThan silver in treasure;The fire is more shiningOn hearth in the gloamingThan gold won by mining,So why go a-roaming?

Few can see wither their road will lead them, till they comes to its end. - Gimli

I pity snails, and all that carry their homes on their backs.

It seemed like all the way to tomorrow and over it to the days beyond.

Why must you speak your thoughts? Silence, if fair words stick in your throat, would serve all our ends better.

Good Morning! said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat.What do you mean? he said. Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?All of them at once, said Bilbo. And a very fine morning for a pipe of tobacco out of doors, into the bargain....Good morning! he said at last. We dont want any adventures here, thank you! You might try over The Hill or across The Water. By this he meant that the conversation was at an end.What a lot of things you do use Good morning for! said Gandalf. Now you mean that you want to get rid of me, and that it wont be good till I move off.