Yes. These are some of the greatest words of inspiration ever written, IMHO.
Can’t find the book immediately, but along with Eowyn’s challenge to the chief Nazgul, I’ve also really liked Faramir’s later proposal to Eowyn.
Oh, and I like the scene at the victory cermony where Aragorn tells Frodo and Sam, “You bow to no one!”
And most of the quotes already mentioned, including the argument against capital punishment given above. IMHO.
I’m paraphrasing:
“Whose help should they seek? A fat barkeep who only remembers his name because people shout it at him all day?”
“I cannot burn snow!”
Try saying it out loud, in the voice of an Ent.
I like that whole speech.
While my favorite quotes have already been covered, “You shall not pass!” is always great fun to utter at appropriate moments.
Well, for my favorites…see above!
But here is one that usually makes me tear up:
Galadriel:
"…Do not repent of your welcome to the dwarf. If our folk had been exiled long and far from Lothlorien, who of the Galadhrim, even Celeborn the Wise, would pass nigh and would not wish to look upon their ancient home, though it had become an abode of dragons?
“Dark is the water of Kheled-zaram, and cold are the springs of Kibil-nala, and fair were the many pillared halls of Khazad-dum in Elder Days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone.” She looked upon Gimli, who sat glowering and sad, and she smiled. And the Dwarf, hearing the names given in his own ancient tongue, looked up and met her eyes; and it seemed to him that he looked suddenly into the heart of an enemy and saw there love and understanding.
Also, I don’t have The Silmarillion handy, but I love Beren’s poem to Luthien…
“Farewell sweet earth and northern sky, forever blessed since here did lie, and here with lissome limbs did run, beneath the moon, beneath the sun, Luthien Tinuviel, more fair than mortal tongue can tell.”
Cyn, psss (It was Frodo’s Song at the Prancing Pony)
No one yet with the infamous, “Thief! Thief!! Baggins!!! We hates it! We hates it forever!!” ?
Lately I’ve been watching the “Mouth of Sauron” scene from the extended ROTK movie over and over because I’m just awed by how evil and awful he is. “My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome. Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?”
“Et Earello Endorenna utulien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn’ Ambar-metta!”
I was reciting that one long before the ROTK film! Usually upon climbing out of Lake Michigan!
Also, “Bilbo’s last song” is a fave of mine.
http://blue.carisenda.com/archives/jrr_tolkein/bilbos_last_song.html
I’d post a few more, but I’m on vacation and my computer access is marginal.
That scene should have been in the theatrical release. Of course, book Aragorn wouldn’t have lopped The Mouth’s head off, but let’s face it, fucker deserved it.
The Lament of 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?
On rereading LOTR after a course in Medieval English Literature, I caught the likeness to my favorite (really) old poem–The Wanderer .
*Where is the horse gone? Where the rider?
Where the giver of treasure?
Where are the seats at the feast?
Where are the revels in the hall?
Alas for the bright cup!
Alas for the mailed warrior!
Alas for the splendour of the prince!
How that time has passed away,
dark under the cover of night,
as if it had never been!
Now there stands in the trace
of the beloved troop
a wall, wondrously high,
wound round with serpents. *
And when Theoden quoted a bit of Tolkien’s poem in The Two Towers, it was goosebump time.
I’d sure like to know what that means…Elvish?
Intimidating.
Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come.
In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world
Jim
On preview, I see WhatExit beat me to the translation. So let me just point out that (a) this is what Aragorn says (sings, in the movie) at his coronation; and (b) it’s in Quenya (Elf-Latin)–one of the few examples of Quenya (as opposed to Sindarin) in the movie.
Thanks, Jim. I meant to include the translation, but inadvertently omitted it in my haste.
Elendil said it originally, when he was washed up on the shore of ME, after the fall of Numenor.
Wow, Elendil was in Maine. That is so perfect! I knew I loved that state for a reason!
Thanks for the quote QTM - I think I may have to place it up on my bulletin board in my office.
My father died last year. I often read the chapters on Faramir and Denethor. (Dad and I did not have any quarrels, but I still find it comforting.)
De Nada.
Like you, I am drawn to Tolkien threads the way an Elf is drawn to the sea.
That is one of so many great sayings. I love the Ent Battle Chant that ITR champion mentioned before. It sent chills through me when I first read the books 30 years ago and still does when I reread them.
I will add that I memorized this rhyme decades ago:
Ho Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo,
By water, wood and hill, by reed and willow,
By fire, Sun and Moon. Harken now and hear us,
Come Tom Bombadil, for our need is near us.
Jim