Admittance Quote by Anonymous
“They hammered on the outer gate and called, but there was at first no answer; and then to their surprise someone blew a horn, and the lights in the windows went out. A voice shouted in the dark: 'Who's that? Be off! You can't come in. Can't you read the notice: No admittance between sundown and sunrise?' 'Of course we can't read the notice in the dark,' Sam shouted back. 'And if hobbits of the Shire are to be kept out in the wet on a night like this, I'll tear down your notice when I find it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, 1937
A group is denied entry after dark, highlighting the absurdity of rigid rules that ignore context.
In simple terms: Rules can be unreasonable when circumstances change.
Key Takeaway
Question rules when they hinder common sense.
Themes
rules
authority
context
humor
Mood
ironic
lighthearted
reflective
Type
narrative
humorous
cautionary
When to use this quote
- late night travel
- border control
- emergency response
- community enforcement
Key Concepts
social contract
bureaucracy
situational ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you encountered a rule that ignored the situation?
- How can flexibility improve fairness?
A Different Perspective
The scenario assumes the notice is visible, which may not be realistic.
