Quotes by J.R.R. Tolkien

But he that sows lies in the end shall not lack of a harvest, and soon he may rest from toil indeed, while others reap and sow in his stead.

Smeagol wont grub for roots and carrotses and - taters. Whats taters,precious, eh, whats taters?Po-ta-toes! said Sam.

Hobbits always so polite, yes! O nice hobbits! Smeagol brings them up secret ways that nobody else could find. Tired he is, thirsty he is, yes thirsty; and he guides them and he searches for paths, and they saw sneak, sneak. Very nice friends, O yes my precious, very nice. Sam felt a little remorseful, but not yet trustful.Sorry, he said. Im sorry, but you startled me out of my sleep. And I shouldnt have been sleeping, and that made me sharp. But Mr. Frodo, hes that tired, I asked him to have a wink; and well, thats how it is. Sorry. But where HAVE you been to? Sneaking, said Gollum, and the green glint did not leave his eyes....Hullo, Smeagol! Frodo said. Found any food? Have you had any rest? No food, no rest, nothing for Smeagol, said Gollum. Hes a sneak. Dont take names to yourself, Smeagol, Frodo said. Its unwise, whether they are true or false. Smeagol has to take whats given to him, answered Gollum. He was given that name by kind Master Samwise, the hobbit that knows so much.

When he heard there was nothing to eat, he sat down and wept… “Why did I ever wake up!” he cried.

Some who have read the book, or at any rate reviewed it, have found it boring, absurd, or contemptible; and I have no reason to complain, since I have similar opinions of their work, or of the kinds of writing that they evidently prefer.

I dont know how to say it, but after last night I feel different. I seem to see ahead, in a kind of way. I know we are going to take a very long road, into darkness; but I know I cant turn back. It isnt right to see Elves now, nor dragons, nor mountains, that I want - I dont rightly know what I want: but I have something to do before the end, and it lies ahead, not in the Shire. I must see it through, sir, if you understand me.

Dont the great tales never end?No, they never end as tales, said Frodo. But the people in them come, and go when their parts ended. Our part will end later – or sooner.

We may indeed in counsel point to the higher road, but we cannot compel any free creature to walk upon it. That leadeth to tyranny, which disfigureth good and maketh it seem hateful.

A ruler who discerning justice refuseth to it the sanction of law, demanding abnegation of rights and self-sacrifice, will not drive his subjects to these virtues, virtuous only if free, but by unnaturally making justice unlawful, will drive them rather to rebellion against all law.

But perhaps you could call her perilous because shes so strong in herself. You , you could dash yourself to pieces on her, like a ship on a rock, or drown yourself, like a Hobbit in a river, but neither rock nor river would be to blame.

But I have been too deeply hurt, Sam. I tried to save the Shire, and it has been saved, but not for me. It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them.

His knowledge was deep, but his pride has grown with it.

Sam: I wonder if well ever be put into songs or tales. Frodo: [turns around] What? Sam: I wonder if people will ever say, Lets hear about Frodo and the Ring. And theyll say Yes, thats one of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasnt he, Dad? Yes, my boy, the most famousest of hobbits. And thats saying a lot. Frodo: [continue walking] Youve left out one of the chief characters - Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam. [stops and turns to Sam] Frodo: Frodo wouldnt have got far without Sam. Sam: Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldnt make fun; I was being serious. Frodo: So was I. [they continue to walk] Sam: Samwise the Brave...

Small wonder that spell means both a story told, and a formula of power over living men. -On Fairy Stories

A story must be told or therell be no story, yet it is the untold stories that are most moving.

Well, you can go on looking forward, said Gandalf. There may be many unexpected feasts ahead of you.

I have in this War a burning private grudge—which would probably make me a better soldier at 49 than I was at 22: against that ruddy little ignoramus Adolf Hitler (for the odd thing about demonic inspiration and impetus is that it in no way enhances the purely intellectual stature: it chiefly affects the mere will). Ruining, perverting, misapplying, and making for ever accursed, that noble northern spirit, a supreme contribution to Europe, which I have ever loved, and tried to present in its true light.

I am at home among trees.

End? No, the journey doesnt end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it. White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise. ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

There is a place called ‘heaven’ where the good here unfinished is completed; and where the stories unwritten, and the hopes unfulfilled, are continued. We may laugh together yet.