Current nominations for featured quote status are listed here. Former nominations (successful and unsuccessful) are listed at Tolkien Gateway:Featured quotes/Archive.
In considering a quote, please review the nomination criteria below to judge for yourself whether the quote meets the criteria. If you are satisfied, then create a new section at the bottom of the page. Should the nomination prove successful, the quote could soon be featured on the Main Page.
Nomination criteria
Any registered user can nominate a quote for featured status. It should meet these specific criteria:
- Preferably, written/spoken by J.R.R. Tolkien himself, either in his fiction or elsewhere (such as in a letter);
- The quote should be no more than 100 words long, and ideally no shorter than 25 words;
- Quotes should be insightful, witty, interesting, powerful, represent some aspect of a story or character, or generally be of interest to a reader;
- Featured quotes should reflect the full range of Tolkien's writings and not just, for example, The Lord of the Rings.
After nomination, a quote should receive three or more positive votes, with more positive than negative; each user being able to cast one vote. Each entry should begin with Agree, Disagree or Undecided and be signed by the user, and, if they choose, an explanation of their vote.
Current nominations
The Hobbit
There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.
“Arrow!” said the bowman. “Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!”
The Fellowship of the Ring
'Proudfeet!' shouted an elderly hobbit from the back of the pavillion. His name, of course, was Proudfoot, and well merited; his feet were large, exceptionally furry, and both were on the table.
The love of the Elves for their land and their works is deeper than the deeps of the Sea, and their regret is undying and cannot ever wholly be assuaged.
A mortal, Frodo, who keeps one of the Great Rings, does not die, but he does not grow or obtain more life, he merely continues, until at last every minute is a weariness. And if he often uses the Ring to make himself invisible, he fades: he becomes in the end invisible permanently, and walks in the twilight under the eye of the Dark Power that rules the Rings. Yes, sooner or later – later, if he is strong or well-meaning to begin with, but neither strength nor good purpose will last – sooner or later the Dark Power will devour him.
Ever since Bilbo left I have been deeply concerned about you, and about all these charming, absurd, helpless hobbits. It would be a grievous blow to the world, if the Dark Power overcame the Shire; if all your kind, jolly, stupid Bolgers, Hornblowers, Boffins, Bracegirdles, and the rest, not to mention the ridiculous Bagginses, became enslaved.
He hated it and loved it, as he hated and loved himself. He could not get rid of it. He had no will left in the matter. A Ring of Power looks after itself, Frodo. It may slip off treacherously, but its keeper never abandons it. At most he plays with the idea of handing it on to someone else’s care – and that only at an early stage, when it first begins to grip. But as far as I know Bilbo alone in history has ever gone beyond playing, and really done it. He needed all my help, too. And even so he would never have just forsaken it, or cast it aside. It was not Gollum, Frodo, but the Ring itself that decided things. The Ring left him.
Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.
- Agree. An insightful quote which is used in the film trilogy too (thus also being familiar to users who may not have read the books). --GondolinFan 18:21, 28 December 2021 (UTC)
- Agree. --Pachyderminator 03:10, 11 April 2022 (UTC)
- Agree. But we better save this for when we feature Gandalf's article. --LorenzoCB (talk) 16:19, 4 January 2023 (UTC)
- Agree. --Hands of a healer (talk) 19:37, 30 June 2023 (UTC)
‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. ‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
"You cannot pass," he said. The orcs stood still, and a dead silence fell. "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass."
`Here is the heart of Elvendom on earth,' he said, `and here my heart dwells ever, unless there be a light beyond the dark roads that we still must tread,you and I. Come with me! ' And taking Frodo's hand in his, he left the hill of Cerin Amroth and came there never again as living man.
- Agree. --Hands of a healer (talk) 16:57, 27 December 2023 (UTC)
And now at last it comes. You will give me the Ring freely! In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!
It is no good trying to escape you. But I'm glad, Sam. I cannot tell you how glad. Come along! It is plain that we were meant to go together. We will go, and may the others find a safe road!
The Two Towers
Gondor! Gondor, between the Mountains and the Sea!
West Wind blew there; the light upon the Silver Tree
Fell like bright rain in gardens of the Kings of old.
O proud walls! White towers! O winged crown and throne of gold!
O Gondor, Gondor! Shall Men behold the Silver Tree,
Or West Wind blow again between the Mountains and the Sea?
Gimli: Elrond was against [Merry and Pippin's] coming.
Legolas: But Gandalf was not.
Gimli: But Gandalf chose to come himself, and he was the first to be lost. His foresight failed him.
Aragorn: The counsel of Gandalf was not founded on foreknowledge of safety, for himself or for others. There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark.
Learn now the lore of Living Creatures!
First name the four, the free peoples:
Eldest of all, the elf-children;
Dwarf the delver, dark are his houses;
Ent the earthborn, old as mountains;
Man the mortal, master of horses.
Arise now, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Dire deeds awake, dark is it eastward.
Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded!
Forth Eorlingas!
It was Sam's first view of a battle of Men against Men, and he did not like it much. He was glad that he could not see the dead face. He wondered what the man's name was and where he came from; and if he was really evil of heart, or what lies or threats had led him on the long march from his home; and if he would not really rather have stayed there in peace-all in a flash of thought which was quickly driven from his mind.
"For myself," said Faramir, "I would see the White Tree in flower again in the courts of the kings, and the Silver Crown return, and Minas Tirith in peace: Minas Anor again as of old, full of light, high and fair, beautiful as a queen among other queens."
I wonder if we shall ever be put into songs or tales. We're in one, or course; but I mean: put into words, you know, told by the fireside, or read out of a great big book with red and black letters, years and years afterwards. And people will say: "Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring!" And they'll say: "Yes, that's one of my favourite stories. Frodo was very brave. wasn't he, dad?" "Yes, my boy, the famousest of the hobbits, and that's saying a lot."
The Return of The King
"What do you fear, lady?" he asked.
"A cage," she said. "To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire."
In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face.
And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the city, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn.
And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns horn. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
Then Merry heard of all sounds in that hour the strangest. It seemed that Dernhelm laughed, and the clear voice was like the ring of steel. "But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Éomund's daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him."
Few other griefs amid the ill chances of this world have more bitterness and shame for a man's heart than to behold the love of a lady so fair and brave that cannot be returned.
- Agree. --Hands of a healer (talk) 16:57, 27 December 2023 (UTC)
It is the way of my people to use light words at such times and say less than they mean. We fear to say too much. It robs us of the right words when a jest is out of place.
Dwarf-coat, elf-cloak, blade of the downfallen West, and spy from the little rat-land of the Shire, nay; do not start! We know it well - here are the marks of a conspiracy. Now, maybe he that bore these things was a creature that you would not grieve to lose, and maybe otherwise: one dear to you, perhaps? If so, take swift counsel with what little wit is left to you. For Sauron does not love spies, and what his fate shall be depends now on your choice.
Wild fantasies arose in his mind; and he saw Samwise the Strong, Hero of the Age, striding with a flaming sword across the darkened land, and armies flocking to his call as he marched to the overthrow of Barad-dûr. And then all the clouds rolled away, and the white sun shone, and at his command the vale of Gorgoroth became a garden of flowers and trees and brought forth fruit. He had only to put on the Ring and claim it for his own, and all this could be.
In western lands beneath the Sun
The flowers may rise in Spring,
The trees may bud, the waters run,
The merry finches sing.
Or there maybe 'tis cloudless night
And swaying beeches bear
The Elven-stars as jewels white
Amid their branching hair.
There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.
- Agree. --GondolinFan 18:21, 28 December 2021 (UTC)
- Agree. --Pachyderminator 03:21, 11 April 2022 (UTC)
- Agree. --Hands of a healer (talk) 16:57, 27 December 2023 (UTC)
"A great Shadow has departed," said Gandalf, and then he laughed, and the sound was like music, or like water in a parched land; and has he listened the thought came to Sam that he had not heard laughter, the pure sound of merriment, for days upon days without count. It fell upon his ears like the echo of all the joys he had ever known.
But when Aragorn arose all that beheld him gazed in silence, for it seemed to them that he was revealed to them now for the first time. Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near: ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him.
This is your realm, and the heart of the greater realm that shall be. The Third Age of the world is ended, and the new age is begun; and it is your task to order its beginning and to preserve what may be preserved. For though much has been saved, much must now pass away.
It was but a picture in the mind. I do not know what is happening. The reason of my waking mind tells me that great evil has befallen and we stand at the end of days. But my heart says nay; and all my limbs are light, and a hope and joy are come to me that no reason can deny. Éowyn, Éowyn, White Lady of Rohan, in this hour I do not believe that any darkness will endure!
I am the daughter of Elrond. I shall not go with him now when he departs to the Havens; for mine is the choice of Lúthien, and as she so have I chosen, both the sweet and the bitter.
Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day's rising
he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.
Hope he rekindled, and in hope ended;
over death, over dread, over doom lifted
out of loss, out of life, unto long glory.
The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.
There is no real going back. Though I may come to the Shire, it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same. I am wounded with knife, sting, and tooth, and a long burden. Where shall I find rest?
It is useless to meet revenge with revenge: it will heal nothing.
But Sam turned to Bywater, and so came back up the Hill, as day was ending once more. And he went on, and there was yellow light, and fire within; and the evening meal was ready, and he was expected. And Rose drew him in, and set him in his chair, and put little Elanor upon his lap.
He drew a deep breath. "Well, I'm back," he said.
The Silmarillion
Last of all Húrin stood alone. Then he cast aside his shield, and wielded an axe two-handed; and it is sung that the axe smoked in the black blood of the troll-guard of Gothmog until it withered, and each time that he slew Húrin cried 'Aurë entuluva! Day shall come again!' Seventy times he uttered that cry; but they took him at last alive.
Tears unnumbered ye shall shed; and the Valar will fence Valinor against you, and shut you out, so that not even the echo of your lamentation shall pass over the mountains.
As three great Jewels they were in form. But not until the End, when Fëanor shall return who perished ere the Sun was made, and sits now in the Halls of Awaiting and comes no more among his kin; not until the Sun passes and the Moon falls, shall it be known of what substances they were made. Like the crystal of diamonds it appeared, and yet was more strong than adamant, so that no violence could mar it or break it within the Kingdom of Arda.
Hope rather that in the end even the least of your desires shall have fruit. The love of Arda was set in your hearts by Ilúvatar, and he does not plant to no purpose.
Unfinished Tales
When you think of the great Battle of Pelennor, do not forget the Battle of Dale. Think of what might have been. Dragon-fire and savage swords in Eriador! There might be no Queen in Gondor. We might now only hope to return from the victory here to ruin and ash. But that has been averted – because I met Thorin Oakenshield one evening on the edge of spring not far from Bree. A chance-meeting, as we say in Middle-earth.
The Lays of Beleriand
Behold! the hope of Elvenland
the fire of Fëanor, Light of Morn
before the sun and moon were born,
thus out of bondage came at last,
from iron to mortal hand it passed.
The Lay of Leithian
For little price do elven-kings their daughters sell—for gems and rings and things of gold! If such thy will, thy bidding I will now fulfill. On Beren son of Barahir thou hast not looked the last, I fear. Farewell, Tinúviel, starlit maiden! Ere the pale winter pass snowladen, I will return, not thee to buy with any jewel in Elvenesse, but to find my love in loveliness, a flower that grows beneath the sky.
The Peoples of Middle-earth
Abide now that time, for when it comes then will your work be of utmost worth, and it will be remembered in song for many ages after.” “I obey.
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
I said, outside Lichfield Cathedral, to a friend of my youth – long since dead of gas-gangrene (God rest his soul: I grieve still) – ‘Why is that cloud so beautiful?’ He said: ‘Because you have begun to write poetry, John Ronald.’ He was wrong. It was because Death was near, and all was intolerably fair, lost ere grasped. That was why I began to write poetry.
- Agree - Wouldn't it be nice to feature a personal quote, rather than an in universe quote, for a while? It could be combined with a featured article of personal worth to Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien for example. -JR Snow (talk) 12:16, 18 November 2024 (UTC)
- Agree - However, unlike JR Snow, I believe the quote should be paired with the page on Michael Tolkien because the quote is in a letter Tolkien wrote to him, not to Christopher Tolkien.Dour1234 (talk) 17:27, 18 November 2024 (UTC)
- Agree. --Paccyd33 (talk) 06:00, 7 November 2025 (UTC)
So it may be said that the chief purpose of life, for any one of us, is to increase according to our capacity our knowledge of God by all the means we have, and to be moved by it to praise and thanks.
The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien
If only I could forgive, I might still catch the shape of one leaf at least, of one flower with dew on it as it shone in the spring by Tarn Aeluin when I was young, and the skill first ran down into my fingers. But Mîm cannot forgive. The embers of his heart still burn him. Tink-donk donk-tink! No time to think!
He fell alone. I heard him cry.
I could not reach him, save to die
:Too late, beside him. Let us lie!
Make him a grave beside the sea,
Heap the same earth over me,
:There together let us be!
Unsuccessful nominations
Tolkien's Own
The Hobbits are just rustic English people, made small in size because it reflects the generally small reach of their imagination --not the small reach of their courage or latent power.
- Disagree; though, yes, Tolkien wrote them all, the first and third are in-universe and should thus be attributed to their respective characters. -- Ederchil (Talk/Contribs/Edits) 07:56, 3 February 2009 (UTC)
- Undecided -I think if you add "- not the small reach of their courage or latent power" to the end, then I might agree.-- KingAragorn talk contribs edits email 17:00, 19 February 2009 (UTC)
- Disagree; I think a quote which is more "profound" on the nature of Hobbits would be better --Mith (Talk/Contribs/Edits) 14:13, 24 September 2010 (UTC)
Drúedain's complaint
There he fell asleep; but after a while he was wakened by a voice from the figure behind him. 'I hope you are rested,' it said, 'but if you wish for more sleep, I beg you to move to the other one. He will never need to stretch his legs again; and I find your cloak too hot in the sun.'
- Disagree Not a terrible quote, but I think it lacks a certain context needed for it to be fully appreciated. --Grace18 17:41, 28 December 2021 (UTC)
- Disagree. For the same reasons as Grace18. --GondolinFan 18:21, 28 December 2021 (UTC)
Lament for the Rohirrim
Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing?
Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?
Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing?
Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?
They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow;
The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow.
Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning,
Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?
- Agree: This poem is one of my Favorite poems in all of Tolkien's works beside the Song of Earendil by Bilbo. So I totally agree with being a quote on this page.--Aragorn is Awesome
- Disagree. Too long for a "quote". --Quentandil 19:05, 21 May 2022 (UTC)
To Isengard!
To Isengard! Though Isengard be ringed and barred with doors of stone;
Though Isengard be strong and hard, as cold as stone and bare as bone,
We go, we go, we go to war, to hew the stone and break the door;
For bole and bough are burning now, the furnace roars - we go to war!
To land of gloom with tramp of doom, with roll of drum, we come, we come;
To Isengard with doom we come!
With doom we come, with doom we come!
- Disagree. An entire poem is not suitable for a Featured quote. --Quentandil (talk) 20:50, 1 January 2023 (UTC)
A steward's duty
The rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task, though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward. Did you not know?
- Disagree. I don't this works very well when taken out of context. --Pachyderminator 03:21, 11 April 2022 (UTC)