True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.
CourageGandalf in The Hobbit, An Unexpected JourneySo 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 to us.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingMany 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.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingHobbits really are amazing creatures. You can learn all there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you.
Hobbits & HarfootsGandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingAnd he that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingI found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay.
Small ThingsGandalf in The Hobbit, An Unexpected JourneySome believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.
Gandalf in The Hobbit, An Unexpected JourneyDeath is just another path. One that we all must take.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingBilbo: "No, thank you. We don't want any more visitors, well wishers or distant relations!"
Gandalf: "And what about very old friends?"
I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to.
IntelligenceGandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersI will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.
Crying & TearsGandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingA wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingCourage will now be your best defence against the storm that is at hand - that and such hope as I bring.
DefenseGandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingI 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.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingDo not mention Frodo. Or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn either. In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, to PippinGandalf? That was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name. I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersDarkness took me and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and every day was as long as a life age of The Earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersFool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity!
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, to PippinIn in Doubt always follow your nose.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, to MerryHe hates and loves the ring as he hates and loves himself. He will never be rid of his need for it.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, about GollumThere is only one Lord of the Ring. Only one who can bend it to his will. And he does not share power.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingSaruman: "We must join with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend."
Gandalf: "Tell me, friend, when did Saruman the Wise abandon reason for madness?"
Bilbo Baggins! Do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks. I am not trying to rob you. I'm trying to help you.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingFrodo: "Before you came along, we Bagginses were very well thought of. Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected."
Gandalf: "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."
Life in the wide world goes on much as it has this past age. Full of its own comings and goings. Scarcely even aware of the existence of the Hobbits. For which I am very thankful.
Hobbits & HarfootsGandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingBecause 10,000 Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom. I've sent him to his death.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingFar too eager and curious for a Hobbit. Most unnatural.
Hobbits & HarfootsGandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, to FrodoFarewell my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea comes the end of our Fellowship.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingThere never was much hope. Just a fool's hope.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingBe silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth! I haven't passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersFor even the very wise cannot see all ends.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingIt is not despair, for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not.
DespairGandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingThe battle for Helm's Deep is over. The battle for Middle-Earth is about to begin. All our hopes now lie with two little Hobbits.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersYou have become a fool, Saruman, and yet pitiable. You might still have turned away from folly and evil, and have been of service. But you choose to stay and gnaw the ends of your old plots. Stay then! But I warn you, you will not easily come out again. Not unless the dark hands of the east stretch out to take you!
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers