Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.

Frodo drew himself up, and again Sam was startled by his words and his stern voice. 'On the Precious? How dare you?' he said. 'Think! Would you commit your promise to that, Smeagol? It will hold you. But it is more treacherous than you are. It may twist your words. Beware!

And here he was, a little halfling from the Shire, a simple hobbit of the quiet countryside, expected to find a way where the great ones could not go, or dared not go. It was an evil fate.

Tell me, who are you, alone, yourself and nameless?

I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence.

It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.

What course am I to take?" "Towards danger; but not too rashly, nor too straight.