--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that…" description: "\"What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!' Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/anonymous-1_chance_what-a-pity-that-bilbo-did-not-stab-that_3225800.jpg" --- # What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature… ![“What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!' Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/anonymous-1_chance_what-a-pity-that-bilbo-did-not-stab-that_3225800.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/anonymous-1_chance_what-a-pity-that-bilbo-did-not-stab-that_3225800.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/anonymous-1_chance_what-a-pity-that-bilbo-did-not-stab-that_3225800.jpg) > “What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!' Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Compassion can prevent unnecessary violence, even against evil, leading to unexpected rewards. **In simple terms:** Mercy can spare harm and bring benefits. Key Takeaway Choose compassion over aggression. Themes compassion morality choice Mood thoughtful hopeful Type ethical inspirational When to use this quote - conflict resolution - personal decisions - leadership dilemmas Key Concepts ethical restraint empathy consequences Questions to Reflect On - When is mercy appropriate? - Can kindness backfire? A Different Perspective Blind compassion may enable greater danger if misapplied. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Creatures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creatures/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Frodo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frodo/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Hobbit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hobbit/) [Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurt/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Ownership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ownership/) [Pity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pity/) [Pity Bilbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pity-bilbo-918135/) [Pity Stayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pity-stayed-893339/) [Rewarded Frodo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewarded-frodo-1591198/) [Ring Pity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ring-pity-6082554/) [Rings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rings/) [Strikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [“O Gandalf, best of friends, what am I to do? 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