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

Good-bye, master, my dear!' he murmured. 'Forgive your Sam. He'll come back to this spot when the job's done - if he manages it. And then he'll not leave you again. Rest you quiet till I come; and may no foul creature come anigh you! And if the Lady could hear me and give me one wish, I would wish to come back and find you again. Good-bye!

Life | Life | Nature |

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

He fell asleep immediately deeply, forgetting all his worries till the morning. To be precise, he dreamed of bread, butter and jam.

Work |

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

I go now to the halls of waiting to sit beside my fathers, until the world is renewed. Since I leave now all gold and silver, and go where it is of little worth, I wish to part in friendship from you, and I would take back my words and deeds at the Gate. . . If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.

Influence |

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

It will not do to leave a live dragon out of your plans if you live near one.

Little | Will | Wisdom |

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

Farewell, they cried, Wherever you fare till your eyries receive you at the journey's end! That is the polite thing to say among eagles. May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks, answered Gandalf, who knew the correct reply.

Harmony | System | Will |

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

I do not know what is happening. The reason of my waking mind tells me that great evil has befallen and we stand at the end of days. But my heart says nay; and all my limbs are light, and a hope and joy are come to me that no reason can deny... I do not believe that darkness will endure!

Kill |

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

His rage passes description - the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk that have more than they can enjoy suddenly lose something that they have long had but have never before used or wanted.

People |

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

He was tall as a young tree, lithe, immensely strong, able swiftly to draw a great war-bow and shoot down a Nazg–l, endowed with the tremendous vitality of Elvish bodies, so hard and resistant to hurt that he went only in light shoes over rock or through snow, the most tireless of all the Fellowship.

Mind | Organization | Think |

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

I threw down my enemy, and he fell from the high place and broke the mountain-side where he smote it in his ruin.

Blame |

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

I do really wish to destroy it!' cried Frodo. 'Or, well, to have it destroyed. I am not made for perilous quests. I wish I had never seen the Ring! Why did it come to me? Why was I chosen?

People |

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

I had a mind to make a body of more or less connected legend, ranging from the large and cosmogonic, to the level of romantic fairy-story - the larger founded on the lesser in contact with the earth, the lesser drawing splendor from the vast backcloths - which I could dedicate simply to: to England; to my country. ... I would draw some of the great tales in fullness, and leave many only placed in the scheme, and sketched. The cycles should be linked to a majestic whole, and yet leave scope for other minds and hands, wielding paint and music and drama.

Day | Will |

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

I want to be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren.

Aims | Authenticity | People |

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

Faith then they vowed fast, unyielding, there each to each in oaths binding. Bliss there was born when Brynhild woke; yet fate is strong to find its end.

Important | Will |

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

Fool of a Took! he growled. This is a serious journey, not a hobbit walking-party. Throw yourself in next time, and then you will be no further nuisance.

Behavior |

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

Frodo raised his head, and then stood up. Despair had not left him, but the weakness had passed. He even smiled grimly, feeling now as clearly as a moment before he had felt the opposite, that what he had to do, he had to do, if he could, and that whether Faramir or Aragorn or Elrond or Galadriel or Gandalf or anyone else knew about it was beside the purpose. He took his staff in one hand and the phial in his other. When he saw that the clear light was already welling through his fingers, he thrust it into his bosom and held it against his heart. Then turning from the city of Morgul, now no more than a grey glimmer across a dark gulf, he prepared to take the upward road.

Will |

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

Hail, Lord and Steward of Minas Tirith, Denethor son of Ecthelion! I am come with counsel and tidings in this dark hour.

Organization |

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

Ho! Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo! By water, wood and hill, by reed and willow, by fire, sun and moon, harken now and hear us! Come, Tom Bombadil, for our need is near us!

Will |

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

I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar the Elfstone, Dunadan. The heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor. Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again! Will you aid me, or thwart me? Choose swiftly!

Nothing | Will |