---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you really want to know what…"
description: "\"If you really want to know what Middle-earth is based on, it's my wonder and delight in the earth as it is, particularly the natural earth.\" — J. R. R...."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/j-r-r-tolkien-2-1316_based_if-you-really-want-to-know-what-middle-e_2132608.jpg"
---

#  If you really want to know what Middle-earth is based on…

![“If you really want to know what Middle-earth is based on, it's my wonder and delight in the earth as it is, particularly the natural earth.” quote by J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/j-r-r-tolkien-2-1316_based_if-you-really-want-to-know-what-middle-e_2132608.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/j-r-r-tolkien-2-1316_based_if-you-really-want-to-know-what-middle-e_2132608.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/j-r-r-tolkien-2-1316_based_if-you-really-want-to-know-what-middle-e_2132608.jpg)

> “If you really want to know what Middle-earth is based on, it's my wonder and delight in the earth as it is, particularly the natural earth.”

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

## About This Quote

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

Explains that his inspiration for Middle‑earth stems from a deep appreciation of the natural world.

**In simple terms:** His fantasy world is rooted in love for real earth.

Key Takeaway

Observe nature to enrich imaginative work.

Themes

nature inspiration fantasy environment

Mood

contemplative poetic

Type

mythic environmental

When to use this quote

- nature walks
- environmental education
- artistic retreats

Key Concepts

world‑building eco‑aesthetics creative muse

Questions to Reflect On

- How does real geography shape fantasy settings?
- What responsibilities do creators have to nature?

A Different Perspective

Romanticizing nature may overlook ecological issues.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Based](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/based/) [Based Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/based-wonder-3892606/) [Delight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delight/) [Delight Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delight-earth-4402837/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Middle earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-earth/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Natural Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-earth-4402836/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Particularly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/particularly/) [Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/)

## Related quotes

> [Architecture is not based on concrete and steel, and the elements of the soil. It's based on wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-libeskind/architecture-is-not-based-on-concrete-and-steel-and-the-elements-of/)

[Daniel Libeskind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-libeskind/)

> [Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/deeds-will-not-be-less-valiant-because-they-are-unpraised/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [Middle-earth is our world. I have (of course) placed the action in a purely imaginary (though not wholly impossible) period of antiquity, in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/middle-earth-is-our-world-i-have-of-course-placed-the-action-in-a/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [There is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/there-is-some-good-in-this-world-and-it-s-worth-fighting-for/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [All that is gold does not glitter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/all-that-is-gold-does-not-glitter/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [He loved mountains, or he had loved the thought of them marching on the edge of stories brought from far away; but now he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/he-loved-mountains-or-he-had-loved-the-thought-of-them-marching-on/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [“Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/elen-s-la-l-menn-omentielvo/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [But to Sam the evening deepened to darkness as he stood at the Haven; and as he looked at the grey sea he saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/but-to-sam-the-evening-deepened-to-darkness-as-he-stood-at-the-haven/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [Most people have made this mistake of thinking Middle-earth is a particular kind of earth or is another planet of the science fiction sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/most-people-have-made-this-mistake-of-thinking-middle-earth-is-a/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/renewed-shall-be-blade-that-was-broken-the-crownless-again-shall-be/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [The burned hand teaches best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/the-burned-hand-teaches-best/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [They can keep their heaven. When I die, I’d sooner go to Middle Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-can-keep-their-heaven-when-i-die-i-d-sooner-go-to-middle-earth/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [A lot of ideas took us to dead ends or we found the tone wasn’t just right. I think we discovered very quickly this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-boyd/a-lot-of-ideas-took-us-to-dead-ends-or-we-found-the-tone-wasn-t-just/)

[Billy Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-boyd/)

> [“I met a lot of things on the way that astonished me. Tom Bombadil I knew already; but I had never been to Bree.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tolkien/i-met-a-lot-of-things-on-the-way-that-astonished-me-tom-bombadil-i/)

[Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tolkien/)

> [“Sam: Mordor. The one place in Middle-earth we don't want to see any closer, and the one place we're trying to get to. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/sam-mordor-the-one-place-in-middle-earth-we-don-t-want-to-see-any/)

[J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/)

## More by J. R. R. Tolkien

> [I never liked Hans Christian Andersen because I knew he was always getting at me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/i-never-liked-hans-christian-andersen-because-i-knew-he-was-always/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/no-half-heartedness-and-no-worldly-fear-must-turn-us-aside-from/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [If you don't know where you're going, you'll wind up somewhere else. Not all those who wander are lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/if-you-don-t-know-where-you-re-going-you-ll-wind-up-somewhere-else/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [The enemy? His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he came from. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/the-enemy-his-sense-of-duty-was-no-less-than-yours-i-deem-you-wonder/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [Much of the same sort of degraded and filthy talk can still be heard among the orc-minded; dreary and repetitive with hatred and contempt,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/much-of-the-same-sort-of-degraded-and-filthy-talk-can-still-be-heard/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [It was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/it-was-a-hobbit-hole-and-that-means-comfort/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [Adventures make one late for supper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/adventures-make-one-late-for-supper/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/the-lord-of-the-rings-is-of-course-a-fundamentally-religious-and/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [I have no help to send, therefore I must go myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/i-have-no-help-to-send-therefore-i-must-go-myself/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [Many are the strange chances of the world, and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/many-are-the-strange-chances-of-the-world-and-help-oft-shall-come/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [Mind your P's and Q's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/mind-your-p-s-and-q-s/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [If you're going to have a complicated story you must work to a map; otherwise you'll never make a map of it afterwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/if-you-re-going-to-have-a-complicated-story-you-must-work-to-a-map/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [Outside the ring of dancing warriors with spears and axes stood wolves at a respectful distance, watching and waiting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/outside-the-ring-of-dancing-warriors-with-spears-and-axes-stood/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [You have to understand the good in things, to detect the real evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/you-have-to-understand-the-good-in-things-to-detect-the-real-evil/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [The mind that thought of light, heavy, grey, yellow, still, swift, also conceived of magic that would make heavy things light and able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/the-mind-that-thought-of-light-heavy-grey-yellow-still-swift-also/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

[Explore all 252 J. R. R. Tolkien quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

## More Based quotes

> [Like in nature, I like things which are based on a few simple principles, even though their manifestation can be very rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabiola-gianotti/like-in-nature-i-like-things-which-are-based-on-a-few-simple/)

[Fabiola Gianotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabiola-gianotti/)

> [The shelves of many evangelicals are full of books that point out the flaws in evolution, discuss it only as a theory, and almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-shelves-of-many-evangelicals-are-full-of-books-that-point-out-the/)

[Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/)

> [Because there is actually something very interesting in Goodfellas, how the style of the film changes as time goes by and based on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cox/because-there-is-actually-something-very-interesting-in-goodfellas/)

[Alex Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cox/)

> [An art which isn't based on feeling isn't an art at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-cezanne/an-art-which-isn-t-based-on-feeling-isn-t-an-art-at-all/)

[Paul Cezanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-cezanne/)

> [I'd always wanted the show to be more reality based science fiction, something along the lines of The Day the Earth Stood Still, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-gerard/i-d-always-wanted-the-show-to-be-more-reality-based-science-fiction/)

[Gil Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-gerard/)

> [I'm a fact-based leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-breed/i-m-a-fact-based-leader/)

[London Breed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-breed/)

> [At Inter, I earned my wages based on the results on the field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-mancini/at-inter-i-earned-my-wages-based-on-the-results-on-the-field/)

[Roberto Mancini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-mancini/)

> [I used to be a columnist for 'Golf Monthly' and have contributed articles for national newspapers based on the humour that is in abundance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-carrott/i-used-to-be-a-columnist-for-golf-monthly-and-have-contributed/)

[Jasper Carrott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-carrott/)

> [I've always made my decisions based on two factors: intellectual analysis and my gut. And when they meet, that's a go from me. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ovitz/i-ve-always-made-my-decisions-based-on-two-factors-intellectual/)

[Michael Ovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ovitz/)

> [Pro-lifers have long been castigated for bringing private values into the public square. But actually it is the pro-abortion position that is based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/pro-lifers-have-long-been-castigated-for-bringing-private-values-into/)

[Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/)

> [Christianity is based on a book. It centers in a Person. It expresses itself in a message. It authenticates itself in an experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-sidlow-baxter/christianity-is-based-on-a-book-it-centers-in-a-person-it-expresses/)

[J. Sidlow Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-sidlow-baxter/)

> [“Teach me about some taxes. Why didn't nobody teach me about taxes on TV? Why don't nobody teach us about none of that man?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-mccartney/teach-me-about-some-taxes-why-didn-t-nobody-teach-me-about-taxes-on/)

[Brandon McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-mccartney/)

> [Conservatism is about the basic rights of individuals. God created us. As far as the government goes, the Founding Fathers based the Constitution off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wurzelbacher/conservatism-is-about-the-basic-rights-of-individuals-god-created-us/)

[Joe Wurzelbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wurzelbacher/)

> [Style is based on limitations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hartford/style-is-based-on-limitations/)

[John Hartford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hartford/)

> [Pacifism as a mass movement aims to avoid suffering; pacifists often say that no cause is worth suffering or dying for. The ethos of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-michnik/pacifism-as-a-mass-movement-aims-to-avoid-suffering-pacifists-often/)

[Adam Michnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-michnik/)

[Browse all 830 Based quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/based/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If you really want to know what Middle-earth is based on, it's my wonder and delight in the earth as it is, particularly the natural earth.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "J. R. R. Tolkien"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/if-you-really-want-to-know-what-middle-earth-is-based-on-it-s-my/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Based"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/if-you-really-want-to-know-what-middle-earth-is-based-on-it-s-my/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/j-r-r-tolkien-2-1316_based_if-you-really-want-to-know-what-middle-e_2132608.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/j-r-r-tolkien-2-1316_based_if-you-really-want-to-know-what-middle-e_2132608.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/j-r-r-tolkien-2-1316_based_if-you-really-want-to-know-what-middle-e_2132608.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If you really want to know what Middle-earth is based on, it's my wonder and delight in the earth as it is…” — J. R. R. Tolkien",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "J. R. R. Tolkien",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If you really want to know...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/if-you-really-want-to-know-what-middle-earth-is-based-on-it-s-my/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/if-you-really-want-to-know-what-middle-earth-is-based-on-it-s-my/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
