J. R. R. Tolkien

The Nazgul they were; the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terribly servants; darkness went with them and they cried with the voices of…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

I should like to save the Shire, if I could - though there have been times when I thought the inhabitants too…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

Have you thought of an ending?' 'Yes , several, and all are dark and unpleasant,' said Frodo. 'Oh , that won't do!'…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

And you, Ringbearer' she said, turning to Frodo. 'I come to you last who are not last in my thoughts. For you…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

He [Bilbo] fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait.

— J. R. R. Tolkien

I have never had much confidence in my own work, and even now when I am assured (still much to my grateful…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

The War is not over (and the one that is, or the part of it, has been largely lost). But it is…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

Short cuts make long delays.

— J. R. R. Tolkien

All my own small perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded.

— J. R. R. Tolkien

I sit beside the fire and think of people long ago, and of people who will see a world that I shall…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

The proper study of Man is anything but Man; and the most improper job of any man, even saints (who at any…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus means that one day everything sad will come untrue....

— J. R. R. Tolkien

One writes such a story [The Lord of the Rings] not out of the leaves of trees still to be observed, nor…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

A hunted man sometimes wearies of distrust and longs for friendship.

— J. R. R. Tolkien

I have talked quite long enough about my own follies. The thing is to finish the thing as devised and then let…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

The only cure for sagging or fainting faith is Communion. Though always Itself, perfect and complete and inviolate, the Blessed Sacrament does…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

If your first Christmas tree is a wilting eucalyptus and if you're normally troubled by heat and sand... then, to have just…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

Dead men are not friends to living men, and give them no gifts. (Ghan-buri-Ghan, of allies during war)

— J. R. R. Tolkien

There are truths, that are beyond us, transcendent truths, about beauty, truth, honor, etc. There are truths that man knows exist, but…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes. Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

They arose in my mind as 'given' things, and as they came, separately, so too the links grew. An absorbing, though continually…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

Faerie is a perilous land, and in it are pitfalls for the unwary, and dungeons for the overbold.

— J. R. R. Tolkien

Sleep! I feel the need of it, as never I thought any dwarf could , riding is tiring work. Yet my axe…

— J. R. R. Tolkien

A story must be told or there'll be no story, yet it is the untold stories that are most moving.

— J. R. R. Tolkien

A criminal who, having renounced reason ... hath, by the unjust violence and slaughter he hath committed upon one, declared war against…

— J. R. R. Tolkien