We are truth-speakers, we men of Gondor. We boast seldom, and then perform, or die in the attempt. "Not if I found it on the highway would I take it," I said. Even if I were such a man as to desire this thing, and even though I knew not clearly what this thing was when I spoke, still I should take those words as a vow, and be held by them.

Far, far below the deepest delvings of the dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things.

A pen is to me as a beak is to a hen.

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

The wolf that one hears is worse than the orc that one fears.

But I have been too deeply hurt, Sam. I tried to save the Shire, and it has been saved, but not for me. It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them.

There are other men, and other lives, and time still to be.