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

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
Take
Fit
Even
Rate
Men
Million
Seek
Bossing
Millions
Improper
Least
Unwilling
Opportunity
Saints
Jobs
Saint

More quotes by J. R. R. Tolkien

Image
If you do not believe in a personal God, the question: 'What is the purpose of life?' is unaskable and unanswerable.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
Their horses were of great stature, strong and clean-limbed their gray coats glistened, their long tails flowed in the wind, their manes were braided on their proud necks.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
It was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
Farewell! wherever you fare, till your eyries receive you at the journey’s end!
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
And long there he lay, an image of the splendour of the Kings of Men in glory undimmed before the breaking of the world.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
Go back? he thought. No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go! So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
Better mistrust undeserved than rash words.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
The wise speak only of what they know
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
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.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
You will notice already that Mr. Baggins was not quite so prosy as he liked to believe, also that he was very fond of flowers.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
The burned hand teaches best. After that, advice about fire goes to the heart.
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 greater part of the truth is always hidden, in regions out of the reach of cynicism.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
You have nice manners for a thief and a liar, said the dragon.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
People remember Longfellow wrote Hiawatha, quite forget he was a Professor of Modern Languages!
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
I want to be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
And now leave me in peace for a bit! I don't want to answer a string of questions while I am eating. I want to think! Good Heavens! said Pippin. At breakfast?
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
False hopes are more dangerous than fears.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Image
There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
J. R. R. Tolkien