J. R. R. Tolkien Quotes

English - Novelist January 3, 1892 - September 2, 1973

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.

J. R. R. Tolkien

The proper study of Man is anything but Man; and 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

If you really want to know what Middle-earth is based on, it's my wonder and delight in the earth as it is, particularly the natural earth.

J. R. R. Tolkien

I dislike Allegory - the conscious and intentional allegory - yet any attempt to explain the purport of myth or fairytale must use allegorical language.

J. R. R. Tolkien

In October 1920 I went to Leeds as Reader in English Language, with a free commission to develop the linguistic side of a large and growing School of English Studies, in which no regular provision had as yet been made for the linguistic specialist.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Many children make up, or begin to make up, imaginary languages. I have been at it since I could write.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Myth and fairy-story must, as all art, reflect and contain in solution elements of moral and religious truth (or error), but not explicit, not in the known form of the primary 'real' world.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Middle English is an exciting field - almost uncharted, I begin to think, because as soon as one turns detailed personal attention on to any little corner of it, the received notions and ideas seem to crumple up and fall to pieces - as far as language goes, at any rate.

J. R. R. Tolkien

The original 'Hobbit' was never intended to have a sequel - Bilbo 'remained very happy to the end of his days and those were extraordinarily long': a sentence I find an almost insuperable obstacle to a satisfactory link.

J. R. R. Tolkien

A friend of mine tells that I talk in shorthand and then smudge it.

J. R. R. Tolkien

A safe fairyland is untrue to all worlds.

J. R. R. Tolkien

It is plain indeed that in spite of later estrangement Hobbits are relatives of ours: far nearer to us than Elves, or even than Dwarves. Of old they spoke the languages of Men, after their own fashion, and liked and disliked much the same things as Men did. But what exactly our relationship is can no longer be discovered.

J. R. R. Tolkien

All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.

J. R. R. Tolkien

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Courage is found in unlikely places.

J. R. R. Tolkien

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.

J. R. R. Tolkien