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

If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door.

Surely you don’t disbelieve the prophecies, because you had a hand in bringing them about yourself? You don’t really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit? You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!

I have in this War a burning private grudge — which would probably make me a better soldier at 49 than I was at 22: against that ruddy little ignoramus Adolf Hitler (for the odd thing about demonic inspiration and impetus is that it in no way enhances the purely intellectual stature: it chiefly affects the mere will). Ruining, perverting, misapplying, and making for ever accursed, that noble northern spirit, a supreme contribution to Europe, which I have ever loved, and tried to present in its true light.

It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit.

If you sit on the doorstep long enough, I daresay you will think of something

I am dreading the publication, for it will be impossible not to mind what is said. I have exposed my heart to be shot at.