It is ever so with the things that Men begin: there is a frost in Spring, or a blight in Summer, and they fail of their promise.
J. R. R. TolkienThe chief purpose of life, for any of us, is to increase according to our capacity our knowledge of God by all means we have, and to be moved by it to praise and thanks.
J. R. R. TolkienWhat a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!' Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity.
J. R. R. TolkienAnd its object is Art not power, sub-creation not domination and tyrannous re-forming of Creation.
J. R. R. TolkienA sudden understanding, a pity mixed with horror, welled up in Bilbo's heart: a glimpse of endless unmarked days without light or hope of betterment, hard stone, cold fish, sneaking and whispering. All these thoughts passed in a flash of a second. He trembled. And then quite suddenly in another flash, as if lifted by a new strength and resolve, he leaped.
J. R. R. Tolkien