15 Powerful Lord of the Rings Quotes to Inspire You

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Even before Peter Jackson’s live-action epic films, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings was making the rounds as a premier fantasy novel series since The Hobbit debuted in 1937.

Tolkien created a setting that fascinated many and crumbled the barriers of the previously secluded world of science fiction and fantasy fandom. What was once considered the domain of “nerds and geeks” has now blended into the mainstream.

Known for its lush, descriptive, and intelligent writing, Lord of the Rings contains passages that have influenced generations throughout the years, and continues to grow in popularity today.

15 Lord of the Rings Quotes

Below are 15 of the best quotes from the Lord of the Rings. Some are about courage, loss, and despair, but most of all they’re about what life is: an adventure.

“But in the end it’s only a passing thing, this shadow; even darkness must pass.” —Samwise Gamgee

This is part of a monologue delivered in one of the greatest moments of vulnerability in the trilogy. Frodo questions the group’s quest and despairs about why a mere hobbit was entrusted with something so important.

Samwise acts as the rock to Frodo’s doubts, delivering an impassioned speech that ultimately comforts and encourages the faltering hobbit. In that moment, Sam exhibits the qualities we value the best in our companions: loyalty and friendship.

Without Sam, would Frodo have pushed through, or turned back from the quest? It goes to show how someone who genuinely supports you can bring about the courage and strength you need to push through, even when it seems like all odds are against you.

“All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost.” —Bilbo Baggins

The first two lines from a poem written by Bilbo about Aragorn are probably the most famous Lord of the Rings quotes. On their own, these passages take on a new meaning.

Sometimes in life, we drift without reason, neither searching nor settling. And the treasures we find in the journey are not necessarily material wealth; there are times when you just need to be. It’s okay to not have a clear direction of what to do next or which direction you should take.

“It is not despair, for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not.” —Gandalf

Gandalf chastises the elves during the meeting of the Fellowship, who contemplate over whether destroying the One Ring is folly. That despair is the only thing people who assume results without trying can see.

People who can’t move past seeing the negative of things may never see the positive. Without giving effort, they already obsess about results; results which only exist in their minds. Being able to consider failure but still striving for success is a necessary skill.

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” —Galadriel

Galadriel assures the hobbits that though they are without skill and quite average in comparison to others, this does not mean they can’t achieve the same feats as anyone else.

Though specifically spoken about hobbits in the book, the quote can be applied to all of us. We’re all hobbits in a sense; normal people going about their business and yet secretly wanting adventure.

Though we may think we’re not good enough, and even when we feel afraid, we still hold the potential to do as much as any other person. Anyone can do anything when they put their minds to it.

“You may learn something, and whether what you see be fair or evil, that may be profitable, and yet it may not. Seeing is both good and perilous.”

—Galadriel

Galadriel offers to let Sam and Frodo look into her mirror, but cautions them that what they see may not be what they want. Frodo declines, but Sam accepts, only to see evil being done to the Shire.

An allusion to knowledge being a double-edged sword, Galadriel warns the two about the dangers of acquiring knowledge but tells them that even with the risks, it is still something worth seeking. Better to be open and aware than blind to the world.

“The burned hand teaches best. After that, advice about fire goes to the heart.” —Gandalf

Gandalf, in his wisdom, lets a curious Pippin touch a magical artifact which then causes him harm. Gandalf reasons that no amount of explanation will lessen Pippin’s desire for the artifact unless he experiences the pain it brings for himself.

This is a great example of experience being the best teacher, and how we learn through hindsight. Without making mistakes and failing, we cannot grow to our full potentials.

“Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.” —Aragorn

Is it necessary for a good deed to be recognized before it is considered a good deed? In a world oversaturated with media representations, it’s easy to think that success is measured by fame and wealth.

But regardless of how much we get out of it, a good deed remains a good deed even when unseen, and unsung heroes are still heroes. Ultimately, what matters most is that you know about the good you’ve done and take pride in it.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” —Gandalf

Everything, from when and how we are born to our eventual death, is already guaranteed to pass. What we can decide, though, is how we use our time while we’re alive.

When we’re close to death, will we be able to look back on our lives and feel proud of ourselves? Will we be satisfied or have regrets? These are the questions we need to answer while we navigate the intricacies of life.

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” —Bilbo Baggins

The world is dangerous. The moment you enter it, a lot can hurt you. There’s so much to do, but we’re rarely given directions on how to navigate life. It’s so easy to get lost, achieve nothing, and end up in places you don’t want to be.

But staying inside your home and comfort zones is as dangerous as going outside. You don’t gain knowledge and experience that will help you grow and reach your full potential. If you don’t leave your comfort zone, you will never live fully.

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.” —Haldir

As you go through life, you’ll experience a lot of negative and positive things, and sometimes fall into pits that are hard to climb out of. Things can easily look bad, with no silver lining in sight.

But light is most powerful in the dark. Haldir talks about not giving up hope, however dark the situation may be. Though it looks and feels hopeless now, it doesn’t mean it’ll be that way forever.

“It is useless to meet revenge with revenge: it will heal nothing.” —Frodo Baggins

It’s human instinct to retaliate when wronged, but enmity always breeds more enmity. The cycle of revenge keeps on going. Being the bigger person saves you trouble in the long term. Bad feelings that would otherwise escalate will be stopped, freeing you from the cycle.

Consider Frodo, whose pity on Gollum stayed his hand and ultimately saved him from corruption, leading Gollum to inadvertently save the world at the cost of his life.

“It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish.” —Samwise Gamgee

Sam knows the value of hard work. Procrastination can be a hard thing to overcome, but without getting started, you’ll never finish anything.

Sometimes, though, taking the first step is the hardest part. We often find ourselves stuck and do other things, rather than focusing on our current tasks. Setting goals and sticking stubbornly to them might help.

“Courage is found in unlikely places.” —Gildor

People often surprise themselves, especially in situations that force them to grow quickly. Courage is a trait most often attributed to warrior types, but in truth, everyone’s got some amount of courage within them. It’s just waiting to be drawn out when it’s really needed.

Courage isn’t necessarily being steady in a fight, but rather having the capacity to face down any challenge and see it through. Your courage might manifest itself in something as mundane as going out of town on your own for the first time.

“The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot forever fence it out.”

—Gildor

People are social beings. We just can’t live in isolation whether it’s physically or figuratively. However hard we might try to build walls, change is an inevitable process.

In the end, we can’t ignore things that are happening around us since they can and will affect us too. Confronting these things is how we gain experience and grow.

“His grief he will not forget; but it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.” —Aragorn

Aragorn heals Merry after his and Eowyn’s battle against the Nazgul. Though Merry’s grief is great following the deaths that happened, Aragorn knows he’ll survive due to his strong and happy nature.

This is how people also grow. Confronting pain and loss helps us set things into perspective, allowing us to move past dark experiences and get better.

A Saga That Enthralled the World

The Lord of the Rings saga continues to win the hearts of viewers and readers today, while also shaping fantasy fiction and pop culture. Decades after its peak, it’s still considered a standard to reach when creating any work of fantasy. Even those who aren’t avid fans of the fantasy niche have some knowledge of what Lord of the Rings is, which just goes to show how far its influence has reached.

Descriptive, symbolic, and humorous, these books awaken in us the sense of adventure we had when we were kids, running around and pretending we were kings and queens.

However old you are, and no matter how long it’s been since you last read it, The Lord of the Rings remains a fresh and enjoyable read despite changing times and perspectives.

What’s your favorite Lord of the Rings quote? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

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