Proverbs of Middle Earth

On Time, From Someone With Perspective

Never is too long a word.
TREEBEARD

A Snake Without Fangs?

Treebeard has proven too gentle-hearted a jailor after all, releasing Saruman at last from the ruins of his dead hopes.  His reasoning is logical, if over-trusting of a multiple traitor.

A snake without fangs may crawl where he will.
TREEBEARD

And when, further up the road north, the travelling company overtake the Wizard and his Worm, the two wanderers are pitied - not that Saruman has anything but derision for mercy and kindness.

A beggar must be grateful, if a thief returns him even a morsel of his own.
SARUMAN

In a very hobbit-like act of simple generosity, Merry gives Saruman all his remaining pipeweed, only to be accused of thievery and then not even having the pouch returned.  But this is the degree to which Saruman has withered.

One thief deserves another.
SARUMAN