View Full Version : Proverbial Tolkien
Forkbeard
06-22-2005, 04:35 PM
Suggested by Elanor in the Discussion thread on TT: chaps. 8 and 9. A collection of the proverbial and "wise saying" lore in the LoTR. I'll start:
Short cuts make long delays. Pippin, Bk 1, chap. 2
Last Child of Ungoliant
06-22-2005, 04:47 PM
If in doubt, always follow your nose.
Gandalf
FotR, The Bridge of Khazad-Dum (I think)
The Gaffer
06-22-2005, 05:04 PM
Where there's life there's hope; and need of vittles.
Me
Book IV, Chapter 7
Last Child of Ungoliant
06-22-2005, 05:08 PM
I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.
Gandalf
RotK, The Grey Havens
Telcontar_Dunedain
06-23-2005, 04:48 PM
A hasty stroke goes oft astray.
Aragorn
The Passing of the Grey Company.
Forkbeard
06-28-2005, 02:05 PM
All that glitters is not gold.....
Bibo's whole poem about Aragorn seems made up of this kind of "one liner"
The Gaffer
06-29-2005, 11:58 AM
Isn't it "All that is gold does not glitter"?
I like how JRRT takes everyday saying and changes them slightly, to give a sense that our language has evolved from their language. The "cow jumped over the moon" song is a great example.
"It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish"
Me again, by way of Sam
Earniel
06-29-2005, 12:21 PM
"Don't laugh at life dragons."
Somewhat lacking in modern-day-application when concidered in the literal sense, but definitely with a good point! :p
He has so many great ones!
Yes, I agree with you, Gaffer, about those slight changes, like Cow/Moon. Interesting!
That "war of proverbs" between Gimli and Elrond when the company is leaving Rivendell is interesting .... I like how you get the flavor of elven vs. dwarvish proverbs.
tolkienfan
06-29-2005, 04:36 PM
Another slight change is Make haste while the sun shines - Goldberry
Now we say Make hay while the sun shines.
Valandil
06-29-2005, 08:38 PM
I like the interplay between Aragorn and Eomer when they first meet. Eomer sort of searching his soul on what to do. Aragorn - maybe for the first time we see him doing it - providing encouragement to do what is right, strengthening, etc.
The Gaffer
06-30-2005, 03:31 AM
I agree. In retrospect, Eomer provides Aragorn with the first "external" validation of his claims, i.e. from someone who didn't know him and his lineage already. He accepted Aragorn: "from the moment you first rose from the grass" (or words to that effect, somewhere in ROTK).
"The men of Rohan do not lie, and so are not easily deceived."
Eomer (though not sure it was him), TTT
Yes, I like that one - Eomer has really grown on me in the last few readings ...
BeardofPants
07-01-2005, 02:15 AM
"Keep a careful hand on your pants because you'll never know who might be along to snitch them." - Pippin, ROTK, somewhere in the middle. What? Yes, he DID say that!! :mad:
The Gaffer
07-01-2005, 01:20 PM
"Keep a careful hand on your pants because you'll never know who might be along to snitch them." - Pippin, ROTK, somewhere in the middle. What? Yes, he DID say that!! :mad:
Right after Gandalf said:
Do not meddle in the pants of wizards, for they are subtle and usually have a russet gusset.
Eep!
*puts on a skirt*
hi, BoP! I passed up your post count! Neener neener! ;)
Elanor the Fair
07-07-2005, 07:18 PM
Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens.Gimli, Book 2 Chapter 3
Elanor the Fair
07-07-2005, 07:20 PM
Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall. Elrond, Book 2 Chapter 3
Elanor the Fair
07-07-2005, 07:22 PM
Sworn word may strengthen quaking heart. Gimli, Book 2 Chapter 3
Bombadillo
07-07-2005, 11:59 PM
The other day I saw "Not all those who wander are lost" quoted on a T-shirt for some hiking organization. I thought that was pretty cool.
"Go not to the elves for counsel, for they will say both yes and no."
I always thought this was useful, since "elves" is interchangable with "wise." An unlikely little piece of advice.
Bilbo's walking song is good to know, but it probably isn't proverbial, only 'cause it's too long.
katya
07-13-2005, 06:22 PM
I was just thinking that same thing, Bombadillo. I was thinking maybe the elves countered with another nice compact and catchy quote but what Gildor says is "Elves seldom give advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill." OK here's the story: I was listening to over a hundred kids all introduce themselves and give us some advice about being exchange students. I was wondering what I, if I was in their place, would have said. And I was thinking of saying just that. "Go not..."
Tree Dweller
07-14-2005, 12:34 AM
"But I spoke hastily. We must not be hasty. I have become too hot. I must cool myself and think; for it is easier to shout stop! than to do it."
Treebeard, Book 2 Chapter 4
katya
07-20-2005, 11:07 PM
"A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it."
Sador, explaining to Turin how we returned from the war only to get his foot cut off because of a mishap with his ax when he was a woodsman. In Unfinished Tales, in the chapter of The Childhood of Turin.
Rosie Gamgee
07-21-2005, 09:35 AM
That's a good one! Must remember it.
Tree Dweller
07-21-2005, 09:51 AM
"A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it."
Sador, explaining to Turin how we returned from the war only to get his foot cut off because of a mishap with his ax when he was a woodsman. In Unfinished Tales, in the chapter of The Childhood of Turin.
Ohhhhhh, I like that one, too!
I need to read the Unfinished Tales one day! ;)
Rosie Gamgee
07-21-2005, 09:55 AM
Tree Dweller- Does sugar keep you awake? Than keep a bag of M&Ms by you side as you read. :) (It's really not that bad...) *ducks and hides* I actually haven't read all of it... I got bored. *hides again*
Valandil
07-27-2005, 01:28 AM
Another slight change is Make haste while the sun shines - Goldberry
Now we say Make hay while the sun shines.
Yes - I saw something about that a few months ago - and I'm trying to invent other 'older' versions of common sayings. One good one that I've thought of... well, I'm saving it for use in a fanfic story I'm working on. :D
Valandil
07-27-2005, 01:31 AM
"In which case it is no longer white. And he that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom"
Gandalf
Alcuin
08-17-2005, 12:51 AM
"Even with one eye you should see clearer. We fought this war for vengeance, and vengeance we have taken. But it is not sweet. If this is victory, then our hands are too small to hold it."
—The reply of the united Dwarven army of the Seven Houses to Thráin son of Thrór after the costly Battle of Azanulbizar. (The population of the Dwarves seems never to have recovered, although they won both the battle and the war.)
Spock
08-22-2005, 03:12 PM
In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.
Kafei
10-04-2005, 11:46 PM
"Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. For even the very wise cannot see all ends."
Gandalf, Book 1, Chapter 2
littleadanel
10-06-2005, 03:36 PM
In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.
H. G. Wells has a different opinion...
Sorry for going OT. Just HAD to say that ;)
Spock
10-06-2005, 03:41 PM
...ohhh, another picky person :D
littleadanel
10-06-2005, 03:45 PM
:p :D ;)
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