Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

Related Quotes

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

A small oversight, but it proved fatal. Small oversights often do.

Dreams | Goals | Hate | Love | Need | Pain | People | Regret | Forgive | Learn |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

After some while Bilbo became impatient. Well, what is it? he said. The answer's not a kettle boiling over, as you seem to think by the noise you are making.

Gold | Journey | Right | Spirit | Thought | Wants | World | Wrong | Thought |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

But do you remember Gandalf?s words: Even Gollum may have something yet to do? But for him, Sam, I could not have destroyed the Ring. The Quest would have been in vain, even at the bitter end. So let us forgive him! For the Quest is achieved, and now all is over. I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam

Men | Will |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Frodo drew the Ring out of his pocket again and looked at it. It now appeared plain and smooth, without mark or device that he could see. The gold looked very fair and pure, and Frodo thought how rich and beautiful was its color, how perfect was its roundness. It was an admirable thing and altogether precious. When he took it out he had intended to fling it from him into the very hottest part of the fire. But he found now that he could not do so, not without a great struggle. He weighed the Ring in his hand, hesitating and forcing himself to remember all that Gandalf had told him; and then with an effort of will he made a movement, as if to cast it away - but he found that he had put it back in his pocket.

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Good stories deserve a little embellishment.

Change |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

GANDALF: A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

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

Problems | Virtue | Virtue |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

I wished to be loved by another,' [owyn] answered. 'But I desire no man's pity.

Men | Will |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Few other griefs amid the ill chances of this world have more bitterness and shame for a man's heart than to behold the love of a lady so fair and brave that cannot be returned.

Right |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

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 don't 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 won't be good till I move off.

Tomorrow |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

I perceived or thought of the Light of God and in it suspended one small mote (or millions of motes to only one of which was my small mind directed), glittering white because of the individual ray from the Light which both held and lit it...And the ray was the Guardian Angel of the mote: not a thing interposed between God and the creature, but God's very attention itself, personalized...This is a finite parallel to the Infinite. As the love of the Father and Son (who are infinite and equal) is a Person, so the love and attention of the Light to the Mote is a person (that is both with us and in Heaven): finite but divine, i.e. angelic.

Men |

J. R. R. Tolkien, fully John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

I wish I was at home in my nice hole by the fire, with the kettle just beginning to sing!

Beauty | Heart | Love | Beauty |