Quote

Far more often [than asking the question 'Is it true?'] they [children] have asked me: 'Was he good? Was he wicked?' That is, they were far more concerned to get the Right side and the Wrong side clear. For that is a question equally important in History and in Faerie.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

J. R. R. Tolkien
Age: 81 †
Born: 1892
Born: January 3
Died: 1973
Died: September 2
Author
Essayist
Historian
Illustrator
Linguist
Literary Critic
Military Officer
Poet
Teacher
Translator
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
John R. R. Tolkien
J-R-R Tolkien
Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien
Good
Clear
Equally
Wrong
Wicked
History
Asking
Often
Concerned
True
Asked
Right
Side
Children
Question
Important
Sides
Faerie

More quotes by J. R. R. Tolkien

Image
Indeed in nothing is the power of the Dark Lord more clearly shown than in the estrangement that divides all those who still oppose him.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone.' I should think so — in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
You have nice manners for a thief and a liar, said the dragon.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
For you do not yet know the strengths of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet on the road.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
Speak, or I will put a dint in your hat that even a wizard will find hard to deal with!
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
A friend of mine tells that I talk in shorthand and then smudge it.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
Fifteen birds in five firtrees, their feathers were fanned in a fiery breeze! But, funny little birds, they had no wings! O what shall we do with the funny little things? Roast 'em alive, or stew them in a pot fry them, boil them and eat them hot?
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
For the less even as for the greater there is some deed that he may accomplish but once only and in that deed his heart shall rest.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet it is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: Small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
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!
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
We may indeed in counsel point to the higher road, but we cannot compel any free creature to walk upon it. That leadeth to tyranny, which disfigureth good and maketh it seem hateful.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
Nearly all marriages, even happy ones, are mistakes: in the sense that almost certainly (in a more perfect world, or even with a little more care in this very imperfect one) both partners might be found more suitable mates. But the real soul-mate is the one you are actually married to.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
Let him go, you filth! Let him go! You will not touch him again!
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
The burned hand teaches best. After that, advice about fire goes to the heart.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
You are a set of deceitful scoundrels! But bless you! I give in. I will take Gildor's advice. If the danger were not so dark, I should dance for joy. Even so, I cannot help feeling happy happier than I have felt for a long time.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
Adventures make one late for supper.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
For some time I lived in fear of receiving a letter signed 'S. Gollum'. That would have been more difficult to deal with.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
It [discovering Finnish] was like discovering a wine-cellar filled with bottles of amazing wine of a kind and flavour never tasted before. It quite intoxicated me.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
Fantasy (in this sense) is, I think, not a lower but a higher form of Art, indeed the most nearly pure form, and so (when achieved) the most potent.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
Such bees! Bilbo had never seen anything like them. If one were to sting me, He thought I should swell up as big as I am!
J. R. R. Tolkien