Quotes from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone. I choose a mortal life.

Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.

It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.

Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens

Such is of the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.

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.

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring.
Renewed shall be blade that was broken
The crownless again shall be king.

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 to us.

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.

Hobbits 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.

And he that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

Advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.

It is not possible in a long tale to please everybody at all points, nor to displease everybody at the same points.

"I have looked the last on that which was fairest," he said to Legolas his companion. "Henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift."

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

Bilbo: "No, thank you. We don't want any more visitors, well wishers or distant relations!"
Gandalf: "And what about very old friends?"

For the time would soon come when Hobbits would shape the fortunes of all.

The Ring passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever, but the hearts of men are easily corrupted.

Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.

A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.

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.

This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance.

Some things are ill to hear when the world's in shadow.

Old grey Willow-man! I'll freeze his marrow cold, if he don't behave himself. I'll sing his roots off. I'll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

Whoa! Whoa! steady there! Now, my little fellows, where be you a-going to, puffing like a bellows? What's the matter here then? Do you know who I am? I'm Tom Bombadil. Tell me what's your trouble! Tom's in a hurry now. Don't you crush my lilies!

Hey dol! merry dol! ring a dong dillo!
Ring a dong! hop along! fal lal the willow!
Tom Bom, jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo!

Eight there are here, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him.

I will do what I can to aid you, each according to his wish and need, but especially that one of the little folk who bears the burden.

Kinsman, farewell! May your doom be other than mine, and your treasure remain with you to the end!

Now is the time when those who wish to continue the Quest must harden their hearts to leave this land. Those who no longer wish to go forward may remain here, for a while. But whether they stay or go, none can be sure of peace. For we are come now to the edge of doom.

Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.

Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let us hunt some orc!

We're all afraid, Frodo. But to let that fear drive us, to destroy what hope we have. Don't you see that is madness?

Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity!

In in Doubt always follow your nose.

He hates and loves the ring as he hates and loves himself. He will never be rid of his need for it.

It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing.

Pippin: "Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of... mission. Quest. Thing."
Merry: "Well, that rules you out, Pip."

Pippin: "What about breakfast?"
Aragorn: "You've already had it."
Pippin: "We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast."
Merry: "I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip."
Pippin: "What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper?"

Aragorn: "Are you frightened?"
Frodo: "Yes."
Aragorn: "Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you."

Pippin: "What's that?"
Merry: "This, my friend, is a pint."
Pippin: "It comes in pints? I'm getting one."
Sam: "You got a whole half already!"

Pippin: "I don't know why he's so upset. It's only a couple of carrots."
Merry: "And some cabbages. And those three bags of potatoes that we lifted last week. And then the mushrooms the week before."

There is only one Lord of the Ring. Only one who can bend it to his will. And he does not share power.

Saruman: "We must join with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend."
Gandalf: "Tell me, friend, when did Saruman the Wise abandon reason for madness?"

Your love of the the Halfling's leaf has clearly slowed your mind.

A friendship with Saruman is not lightly thrown aside. One ill turn deserves another. It is over. Embrace the power of the Ring or embrace your own destruction.

Gandalf: "Have you been eavesdropping?"
Sam: "I haven't been dropping no eaves, sir, honest."

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.

I was expecting you sometime last week. Not that it matters. You come and go as you please. Always have and always will. You've caught me a bit unprepared I'm afraid. Uh, we've only got cold chicken, a bit of pickle... there's some cheese here... oh, no. Er, we've got raspberry jam, an apple tart... oh, no, we're alright! I've just found some sponge cake.

True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.

Eldest, that's what I am. Mark my words, my friends: Tom was here before the river and the trees; Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn. He made paths before the Big People, and saw the little People arriving. He was here before the kings and the graves and the Barrow-wights. When the elves passed westward, Tom was here already, before the seas were bent. He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless – before the Dark Lord came from Outside.

But do not despise the lore that has come down from distant years; for oft it may chance that old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know.

My friends… you bow to no one!

I gave you the chance of aiding me willingly. But you have elected the way of pain!