1,027 Quotes by J. R. R. Tolkien

  • Author J. R. R. Tolkien
  • Quote

    Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are all alight. Then world behind and home ahead, We’ll wander back and home to bed. Mist and twilight, cloud and shade, Away shall fade! Away shall fade!

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  • Author J. R. R. Tolkien
  • Quote

    The sky was clear and the stars were growing bright. ‘It’s going to be a fine night,’ he said aloud. ‘That’s good for a beginning. I feel like walking.

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  • Author J. R. R. Tolkien
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    Mourn not overmuch! Mighty was the fallen, meet was his ending. When his mound is raised, women then shall weep. War now calls us!

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  • Author J. R. R. Tolkien
  • Quote

    It simply isn’t an adventure worth telling if there aren’t any dragons.

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  • Author J. R. R. Tolkien
  • Quote

    Always after a defeat and a respite, the Shadow takes another shape and grows again.’ ‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. ‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ’and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. And already, Frodo, our time is beginning to look black. The Enemy is fast becoming very strong.

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  • Author J. R. R. Tolkien
  • Quote

    Sleep! I feel the need of it, as never I thought any dwarf could, riding is tiring work. Yet my axe is restless in my hand. Give me a row of orc-necks and room to swing and all weariness will fall from me!

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  • Author J. R. R. Tolkien
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    Snow’s all right on a fine morning, but I like to be in bed when it’s falling.

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  • Author J. R. R. Tolkien
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    Shall we mourn here deedless forever a shadow-folk mist-haunting dropping vain tears in the thankless sea.

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  • Author J. R. R. Tolkien
  • Quote

    And that’s the way of a real tale. Take any one that you’re fond of. You may know, or guess, what kind of a tale it is, happy-ending or sad-ending, but the people in it don’t know. And you don’t want them to.

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