Quote

The most improper job of any man, even saints (who at any rate were at least unwilling to take it on), is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity.

J. R. R. Tolkien

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J. R. R. Tolkien
Age: 81 †
Born: 1892
Born: January 3
Died: 1973
Died: September 2
Author
Essayist
Historian
Illustrator
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Literary Critic
Military Officer
Poet
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John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
John R. R. Tolkien
J-R-R Tolkien
Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien
Bossing
Seek
Improper
Millions
Unwilling
Least
Saints
Opportunity
Saint
Jobs
Fit
Take
Rate
Even
Men
Million

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I'm in a position where it doesn't matter what people think of me now.
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But to Sam the evening deepened to darkness as he stood at the Haven and as he looked at the grey sea he saw only a shadow in the waters that was soon lost in the West. There he stood far into the night, hearing only the sigh and murmur of the waves on the shores of Middle-Earth, and the sound of them sank deep into his heart.
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If you mean you think it is my job to go into the secret passage first, O Thorin Thrain’s son Oakenshield, may your beard grow ever longer,” he said crossly, “say so at once and have done!
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Speak, or I will put a dint in your hat that even a wizard will find hard to deal with!
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The chief purpose of life, for any of us, is to increase according to our capacity our knowledge of God by all means we have, and to be moved by it to praise and thanks.
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Don't dip your beard in the foam, Father! They cried to Thorin. It is long enough without watering it!
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Is it nice, my preciousss? Is it juicy? Is it scrumptiously crunchable?
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It is wisdom to recognize necessity when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope.
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I've always been impressed that we are here, surviving, because of the indomitable courage of quite small people against impossible odds.
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True education is a kind of never-ending story . . .
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Not everyone who wanders is lost.
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The Nazgul they were the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terribly servants darkness went with them and they cried with the voices of death.
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Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate.
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But do not despise the lore that has come down from distant years for oft it may chance that old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know.
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Orcs, and talking trees, and leagues of grass, and galloping riders, and glittering caves, and white towers and golden halls, and battles, and tall ships sailing, all these passed before Sam's mind.
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I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone.
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True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.
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Slight changes simply make a blur.
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