J. R. R. Tolkien Quotes

“Nearly all marriages, even happy ones, are mistakes: in the sense that almost certainly (in a more perfect world, or even with a little more care in this very imperfect one) both partners might be found more suitable mates. But the real soul-mate is the one you are actually married to.”

“A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.”

“Evidently we look so much alike that your desire to make an incurable dent in my hat must be excused.”

“Let him go, you filth! Let him go! You will not touch him again!”

“Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.”

“It is perilous to study too deeply the arts of the Enemy, for good or for ill.”

“For still there are so many things that I have never seen: in every wood in every spring there is a different green.”

“This thing all things devours: Birds, beasts, trees, flowers; Gnaws iron, bites steel; Grinds hard stones to meal; Slays king, ruins town, And beats high mountain down.”

“Ultimately we've only got humanity to work with. It's only clay we've got.”

“It [discovering Finnish] was like discovering a wine-cellar filled with bottles of amazing wine of a kind and flavour never tasted before. It quite intoxicated me.”

“The whole thing is quite hopeless, so it's no good worrying about tomorrow. It probably won't come.”

“Third time pays for all”

“And then alas! I let the matter reset, watching and waiting only, as we have too often done.”

“I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to”

“Mind your P's and Q's.”

“I shall claim full amends for every fall and stubbed toe, if you do not lead us well.”

“The world changes, and all that once was strong now proves unsure.”

“Voiceless it cries, Wingless flutters, Toothless bites, Mouthless mutters.”

“It is wisdom to recognize necessity when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope.”

“Sam, clinging to Frodo's arm, collapsed on a step in the black darkness. 'Poor old Bill!' he said in a choking voice. 'Poor old Bill! Wolves and snakes! But the snakes were too much for him. I had to choose, Mr. Frodo. I had to come with you.”

“Have you thought of an ending?' 'Yes , several, and all are dark and unpleasant,' said Frodo. 'Oh , that won't do!' said Bilbo. 'Books ought to have good endings. How would this do: and they all settled down and lived together happily ever after?' 'It will do well, if it ever comes to that,' said Frodo.”

“What do you fear, lady?' he asked. 'A cage,' she said.”

“He found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange visions of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams.”

“His grief he will not forget; but it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.”

“Upon the hearth the fire is red, Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary are our feet, Still round the corner we may meet A sudden tree or standing stone That none have seen but we alone. Tree and flower and leaf and grass, Let them pass! Let them pass!”