J. R. R. Tolkien Quotes

Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

It is plain indeed that in spite of later estrangement Hobbits are relatives of ours: far nearer to us than Elves, or even than Dwarves. Of old they spoke the languages of Men, after their own fashion, and liked and disliked much the same things as Men did. But what exactly our relationship is can no longer be discovered.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

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.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

A box without hinges, key, or lid, yet golden treasure inside is hid.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Courage is found in unlikely places.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Short cuts make long delays.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

I should like to save the Shire, if I could - though there have been times when I thought the inhabitants too stupid and dull for words, and have felt that an earthquake or an invasion of dragons might be good for them.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their ending!

- J. R. R. Tolkien

The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot forever fence it out.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Not all those who wander are lost.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Myth and fairy-story must, as all art, reflect and contain in solution elements of moral and religious truth (or error), but not explicit, not in the known form of the primary 'real' world.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

In October 1920 I went to Leeds as Reader in English Language, with a free commission to develop the linguistic side of a large and growing School of English Studies, in which no regular provision had as yet been made for the linguistic specialist.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

The original 'Hobbit' was never intended to have a sequel - Bilbo 'remained very happy to the end of his days and those were extraordinarily long': a sentence I find an almost insuperable obstacle to a satisfactory link.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

A friend of mine tells that I talk in shorthand and then smudge it.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

If you really want to know what Middle-earth is based on, it's my wonder and delight in the earth as it is, particularly the natural earth.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

The proper study of Man is anything but Man; and the most improper job of any man, even saints (who at any rate were at least unwilling to take it on), is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

I dislike Allegory - the conscious and intentional allegory - yet any attempt to explain the purport of myth or fairytale must use allegorical language.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

It may be the part of a friend to rebuke a friend's folly.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Middle English is an exciting field - almost uncharted, I begin to think, because as soon as one turns detailed personal attention on to any little corner of it, the received notions and ideas seem to crumple up and fall to pieces - as far as language goes, at any rate.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Hobbits are an unobtrusive but very ancient people, more numerous formerly than they are today; for they love peace and quiet and good tilled earth: a well-ordered and well-farmed countryside was their favourite haunt.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

A pen is to me as a beak is to a hen.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

A safe fairyland is untrue to all worlds.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

They say it is the first step that costs the effort. I do not find it so. I am sure I could write unlimited 'first chapters'. I have indeed written many.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Many children make up, or begin to make up, imaginary languages. I have been at it since I could write.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

You have been chosen, and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Don't go getting mixed up in the business of your betters, or you'll land in trouble too big for you.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.

- J. R. R. Tolkien

'I wish life was not so short,' he thought. 'Languages take such a time, and so do all the things one wants to know about.'

- J. R. R. Tolkien

I never liked Hans Christian Andersen because I knew he was always getting at me.

- J. R. R. Tolkien