Hobbit Quote by J.R.R. Tolkien
““But I have so little of any of these things! You are wise and powerful. Will you not take the Ring?" "No!" cried Gandalf, springing to his feet. "With that power I should have power too great and terrible. And over me the Ring would gain a power still greater and more deadly." His eyes flashed and his face was lit as by a fire within. "Do not tempt me! For I do not wish to become like the Dark Lord himself. Yet the way of the Ring to my heart is by pity, pity for weakness and the desire of strength to do good. Do not tempt me! I dare not take it, not even to keep it safe, unused. The wish to wield it would be too great for my strength. I shall have such need of it. Great perils lie before me.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lord of the Rings, 1954
A character resists the temptation of power, fearing corruption and loss of moral integrity.
In simple terms: Resisting power to stay moral.
Key Takeaway
Choose integrity over power.
Themes
power
corruption
morality
temptation
responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- decision making
- personal growth
- ethical leadership
Key Concepts
ethical dilemma
self‑restraint
heroism
inner conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you do when offered great power?
- Can one ever be truly free from temptation?
A Different Perspective
The dialogue is fictional and may not reflect real moral decisions.
