Long before it inspired one of the most successful movie franchises in Hollywood history, “The Lord of the Rings” was a book beloved by millions — which is why the Tolkien Society created Tolkien Reading Day in 2003. The educational charity and literary organization wanted to promote the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of 1954’s “The Lord of the Rings” and its predecessor, 1937’s “The Hobbit.” “TLOTR” is, to this day, one of the best-selling novels ever written, having sold more than 150 million copies and inspiring epic fandom the world over. So in honor of Tolkien Reading Day, here are 10 of the late writer’s greatest words, which go beyond the oft-quoted “Not all those who wander are lost” — and have much deeper meaning now that we all live in President Trump’s America. “The wide world is all about you; you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot forever fence it out.”
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
“Courage is found in unlikely places.”
“I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.”
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”
“Don’t go getting mixed up in the business of your betters, or you’ll land in trouble too big for you.”
“Short cuts make long delays.”
“It may be the part of a friend to rebuke a friend’s folly.”
“You have been chosen, and you must therefor use such strength and heart and wits as you have.”
“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 judgment. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.”
Celebrate Tolkien Reading Day with these 10 super-timely J.R.R. Tolkien quotes
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