Without the high and noble the simple and vulgar is utterly mean; and without the simple and ordinary the noble and heroic is meaningless

In this Music [the singing of the angels in harmony] the World was begun; for Iluvatar made visible the song of the Ainur,and they beheld it as a light in the darkness.

So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their endings.

He [Bilbo] fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait.

We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!

There cannot be any 'story' without a fall - all stories are ultimately about the fall - at least not for human minds as we know them and have them.

I give you this toast: To the Hobbits. May they outlast the Sarumans and see spring again in the trees.