Skip to content

How shall a man judge what to do in such times?' 'As he…

“How shall a man judge what to do in such times?' 'As he has ever judged,' said Aragorn. 'Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men. It is a man's part to discern them, as much in the Golden Wood as in his own house.” quote by J.R.R. Tolkien
Download Open image
““How shall a man judge what to do in such times?' 'As he has ever judged,' said Aragorn. 'Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men. It is a man's part to discern them, as much in the Golden Wood as in his own house.””

J.R.R. Tolkien

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Moral judgment remains constant across eras and peoples; discernment is a personal duty in all settings.

In simple terms: Right and wrong stay the same; we must judge wisely.

Key Takeaway

Practice discernment daily.

Themes

morality wisdom responsibility

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • political decisions
  • personal conflicts
  • leadership choices
  • community disputes

Key Concepts

ethical judgment universal values

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you ensure impartial judgment?
  • What values guide your decisions?
A Different Perspective

Human bias can cloud judgment, making discernment difficult.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by J.R.R. Tolkien

Explore all 857 J.R.R. Tolkien quotes

More Catholic quotes

Browse all 4,027 Catholic quotes