J.R.R. Tolkien (age 24) in army uniform. Taken in 1916
Do not underestimate the minds of children, for they are sharp and quick to flourish. ~ Annie White Owl
Here are 10 of my favorite quotes from the brilliant books by J.R.R. Tolkien that I want to pass along as life lessons to my kids. Several quotes are from the movie adaptations by Peter Jackson, but their sentiments have some textual support in Tolkien’s original novels.
Note: All page numbers refer to Ballantine Books’ four-volume edition of 1975.
- “Where there’s life there’s hope, as my Gaffer used to say; and need of vittles.” ― Sam, The Two Towers (Book Four, ch. VII, p. 392)
- “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a much merrier world.” ~ Thorin Oakenshield, The Hobbit (ch. XVIII, p. 273)
- “Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be so eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.” ― Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring (Book one, ch. II, p. 93)
- “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” ~ Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring (Book One, ch. 2, p. 82)
- “The wolf that one hears is worse then the orc that one fears.” ~ Boromir, The Fellowship of the Rings (Book Two, ch. 4, p. 389)
- “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” ~ Galadrial, The Fellowship of the Ring (movie)
- “War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.” ~ Faramir, The Two Towers (Book Four, ch. V, p. 355)
- “There is some good in this world…and it’s worth fighting for.” ~ Sam, The Two Towers (movie)
- “I will not say, do not weep, for not all tears are an evil.” ~ Gandalf, The Return of the King (Book Six, ch. IX, p. 384)
- “It is useless to meet revenge with revenge: it will heal nothing. ~ Frodo, The Return of the King (Book Six, chapter VIII, p. 369)
