Proverbs of Middle Earth

On Starting Out

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

BILBO

One always wants to start a new project (be it a blog, a Quest, or whatever) in a blaze of glory amid the fanfare of trumpets, and that's sometimes fitting, but usually it's more of a case of taking that first step.

On September 23rd, the hobbits stepped into the Road.

On the Wild

When pools are black and trees are bare, ‘tis evil in the wild to fare.
BILBO

The Coming Of The Nazgûl

Under siege in Bree, and now pursued in the Wild; the hobbits' decision to engage Strider as their guide is still in the balance.  What power can this Ranger possibly have against the Black Riders?

Do not be afraid.
ARAGORN

But the hobbits do not know what the Rangers really are, nor are they aware of Aragorn's heritage: he is the foster-child of Elrond ('wisest of lore-masters'), descendent of Beren & Luthien; he has dwelt long in the company of the High; has been within sight of the Black Gate and Minas Morgul; and has served in war in the North and elsewhere (including as Thorongil in Rohan and Gondor).

Caution is one thing and wavering is another.
ARAGORN

Watch every shadow.
ARAGORN

Even beset by the Nazgul, he is not afraid, is in full control of himself, and may even have been able to avert disaster had Frodo not put on the Ring and tried to defend himself.

All blades perish that pierce the dreadful king.
ARAGORN

The Counsel of the Council

Elves may thrive on speech alone, and Dwarves endure great weariness;
but I am only an old hobbit, and I miss my meal at noon.

BILBO

 The Council of Elrond provides a fascinating opportunity to see proverbs in action.  The peoples represented all have their own wisdom traditions, some of which coincide and complement each other, and some of which don't.

Proverbs pop up regularly, used naturally and in context, illustrating the ease with which Tolkien fitted his characters within recognisable traditions.

Oft in lies truth is hidden.

GLORFINDEL

Nothing is evil in the beginning.

ELROND

The question at hand - what is this ring and what are we to do with it? - occupies those present for a whole morning.  All hear the same histories and the same reasoning, yet respond differently, according to their kind.

What was is less dark than what is to come.
DENETHOR

Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt.
GANDALF

 Valour needs first strength, and then a weapon.
BOROMIR 

Only a small part is played in great deeds by any hero. 
GANDALF 

Elrond - emblematic of the combined wisdom of Elves & Men - has a key role; allowing voices to be heard and perspectives to be honoured, whilst guiding the Council toward deciding a definite course of action that seems wise, or at least necessary, to all.

The might of Elrond is in wisdom not in weapons.
BOROMIR

It is perilous to study too deeply the arts of the Enemy, for good or for ill.

ELROND

 It is wisdom to recognise necessity, when all other courses have been weighed,
though folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope.
GANDALF

Such is oft 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.

ELROND

On Vows

"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," said Gimli.

"Maybe," said Elrond, “but let him not vow to walk in the dark,
 who has not seen the nightfall."

"Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart," said Gimli.

"Or break it," said Elrond.
 

On Orcs and Wargs

 The wolf that one hears is worse than the orc that one fears.
BOROMIR

Where the warg howls, there also the orc prowls.
ARAGORN

The wolf-voices are howling beneath the pass of Caradhras and prompt action is required.  Quite properly, that action is backed up with age-old (rhyming) wisdom from the two men of the Fellowship, both experienced in the perils of the Wild, giving unified advice on the need escape the impending danger.

On Despair and Hope

None knows what the new day will bring him.
ARAGORN

The last host of the Eorlingas rides to Helm's Deep, and meets Ceorl of Westfold, bearing a message of woe to Eomer: turn back, there is no hope ahead.  The advance scout is similarly dispiriting.

He that flies counts every foeman twice.
SCOUT

While at first weary and in despair, the shock of meeting his king both armed for war and in doughty mood strengthens Ceorl for battle ahead.  The stronghold of Helm's Deep, ever unconquered while men defend it, adds to that renewed sense of belief.

But the coming battle, of Saruman's irresistible force crashing against the Hornburg's immovable object, drains that hope away.  It is characteristic and fitting that Aragorn, whose cradle name Estel itself means hope, should be the last whose heart is not fallen back into despair.

Oft the unbidden guest proves the best company.
EOMER

As one who has wandered so often, so far away from his hopes and destiny, it is no surprise that proverbs of hope spring naturally from his lips, since they have doubtless nourished him for years.

Dawn is ever the hope of men.
ARAGORN

 

On the Affairs of Wizards

 

Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.
MERRY, quoting GILDOR as quoted by SAM

Hobbits, whilst almost perennially out of their depth once outside the Shire, are quick to learn, and especially to absorb the learning of others.

The above proverb is a great example of this.  Having heard Gildor use it in the Woody End, Sam took to repeating it, and now Merry does so, warning Pippin about the palantir.  The warning is not heeded, and their hopes nearly betrayed.

Peril comes in the night when least expected.
GANDALF

On Stumbling

Do not stumble at the end of the road.
GANDALF

 

On discovering, through Pippin, the nature and identity of the palantir, Gandalf entrusts it to Aragorn.  His warning, to the most careful of men, is not intended as a rebuke but as recognition of the grave danger the Orthanc-stone presents.

As a direct link to Barad-dur itself, it had already caused the fall of Saruman as well as contributing to his desperation and the failure of his plans.  We later see the wisdom of this warning in the case of Denethor, whom a palantir also betrayed.

Sauron's influence through the Stones, however, carries no guarantee of success for him either: stumbling is not only the preserve of the weak.

Oft evil will shall evil mar.
THEODEN

One to One with Gandalf

Let not the swift wait for the slow.
GANDALF

And with that, he is gone; Shadowfax bearing Gandalf away to Gondor with Pippin, recovering, before him.  A perfect opportunity for an inquisitive hobbit to ask questions.

This is the first time since Rivendell where a hobbit has been alone with the Wizard, and Pippin clearly enjoys the privilege, for Gandalf is in the mood to talk.

There is nothing that Sauron cannot turn to evil uses.
GANDALF

The biter bit, the hawk under the eagle's foot, the spider in a steel web!
GANDALF

 

Saruman, the palantir, and the nature of evil are the main topics at hand, and we hear Gandalf speaking, almost to himself at times, as he processes the causes, impacts and implications of recent events.

Perilous to us all are the devices of an art deeper than we possess ourselves.
GANDALF

The burned hand teaches best.
After that advice about fire goes to the heart.
GANDALF

 

The Wisdom of Gondor

Entering Ithilien, the Hobbits are for the first time in Gondor (albeit in land occupied by the Enemy).  The great Kingdom of the Dunedain of the South has been liberally referred to throughout the Quest, yet until now it has had only Boromir to represent it.  It would have been reasonable to presume him as an archetype for his people, yet with the entrance of his brother Faramir, a wiser, more thoughtful head on younger shoulders, that thought must be discarded.

Wise man trusts not to chance-meeting on the road in this land.
FARAMIR

We meet no one else, with the obvious exception of Gandalf, for whom proverbs are so natural a part of speech.  Very often they are unquoted, utilised but not emphasised, and thereby often unnoticed.

War must be,
while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all;
but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness,
nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory.
I love only that which they defend.
FARAMIR

 
We are truth-speakers, we men of Gondor.
We boast seldom, and then perform, or die in the attempt.  FARAMIR

Moreover, we receive from Faramir one of the few explicit references to the means by which learning and knowledge has been passed down amongst men of one era to another, and to him in particular:

'Much is still preserved of ancient lore among the Rulers of the city that is not spread abroad...  We in the house of Denethor know much ancient lore by long tradition, and there are moreover in our treasures many things preserved:
'Books and tablets writ on withered parchments, yea, and on stone, and on leaves of silver and of gold, in divers characters.'

On Perils of Evil and Beauty

Living in the shadow of the Shadow has given Faramir experience aplenty, not least of the interaction of humility and courage when danger approaches.

There are some perils from which a man must flee.
FARAMIR

Such things [as mighty heirlooms] do not breed peace among confederates.
FARAMIR

Unlike Boromir, he is aware of his own weakness, despite neither lacking strength of body nor fortitude of character.  He is strong, but knows when his own strength is not enough.  Also, he knows that perils are often beautiful (as in the case of the Ring), and that even extreme beauty can be a danger to those for whom it is not intended.

It is perilous for mortal man
to walk out of the world of this Sun [into Lothlorien].
FARAMIR

On Anonymous Valour

Although the cultures (and accompanying wisdom traditions) of Middle Earth are diverse and often at odds with one another, there are many cases of overlap and of full agreement; an encouragement when faced with difficult choices.

Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.
ARAGORN

Follow what may, great deeds are not lessened in worth.
LEGOLAS

Advice and Parting

The hobbits leave Faramir with a wholly different perspective on the man, and perhaps on all men, than they had held the day before.  Far from inhibiting the Quest, their capture and the (unwitting) disclosure of their purpose has, in Sam's words, allowed the Captain of Gondor to show his quality: the very highest.

The praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards.
FARAMIR

But Faramir does seek to counsel them; to persuade them from taking the road to Cirith Ungol, and especially from retaking Gollum as guide, though he is unable to offer any real alternative.  Sam would agree, but Frodo feels bound to Gollum and is not moved.  The advice is rejected and they head on to the Crossroads.

It seems less evil to counsel another man to break troth than to do so oneself,
especially if one sees a friend bound unwitting to his own harm.
FARAMIR

The servant has a claim on the master for service, even service in fear.
NARRATOR [reporting Frodo's thoughts]

They can only come to morning through the shadows.
NARRATOR

A Halfling in the Tower of the Sun

  As for valour, that cannot be computed by stature.
GANDALF

Many a doer of great deeds might say no more.
INGOLD

Gandalf is well-known in Minas Tirith, and held in more honour than in many places, but Pippin is a stranger and his whole race alien to the men of Gondor.

Even in allowing him to pass the Rammas, the guards do not seek to disguise their wonder and intrigue at this curio, and once in the streets of the city, many call out to or about the ernil i pheriannath.

Looks may belie the man - or the halfling.
DENETHOR

In offering his sword and service to Denethor, Pippin both pleases the Lord Steward and humours him, whilst additionally gaining access to the most private areas of the Citadel.  He is in way over his head, but is wise enough to know it, and Gandalf validates his decision.

Generous deed should not be checked by cold counsel.
GANDALF

From the Farsighted

Though the Stones be lost, they say,
still the Lords of Gondor have keener sight than lesser men.
DENETHOR

Gandalf and Denethor, 'two such terrible old men', are like few others in Middle Earth.  Both are steeped in learning and legacy; both are readers of hearts and thoughts; both see far and perceive much; and few bear greater burdens of responsibility.

Denethor speaks to Gandalf as to a peer; respectful yet proud, and confident enough in his own wisdom to listen to the wizard's advice but choose not to take it.

Courage will now be your best defence.
GANDALF

When you are a dotard you will die.
GANDALF

Pride would be folly that disdained help and counsel at need.
DENETHOR

Beregond of the Guard

Beregond is the first rank-and-file man of Gondor to come into the story, and an insight into 'normal' Numenoreans.  As others in the City, he looks upon Pippin with an honest curiosity, nodding to himself as his guest's words conform to the wisdom of his people that has been handed down to him.

Men who go warring afield look ever to the next hope of food and of drink.
BEREGOND

At the table small men may do the greater deeds.
BEREGOND

Having mainly hidden behind the other hobbits' seniority until this point, becoming the nearest thing to a passenger that the Fellowship could offer, Pippin no longer has that option.  He is seen as a prince and treated not unlike one, and for the first time we are able to see the future Thain act like one.

We may stand, if only on one leg, or at least be left still upon our knees.
PIPPIN

Strange accents do not mar fair speech.
BEREGOND

The Desperation of Denethor

Let all who fight the Enemy in their fashion be at one.
DENETHOR

Between the King of Rohan and the Steward of Gondor there is a unity of purpose and a juxtaposition of perspective.  Neither see much hope ahead, for their countries or themselves, but their parallel preparations contrast strongly with one another.

Much must be risked in war
DENETHOR

Having been redoubtable, Denethor is now despairing: his great knowledge and far sight show him the hopelessness of counsels or of combat; he knows that 'against the Power that has now arisen there is no victory'.  The palantir has shown Denethor what Sauron would have him see, and the darkness thickens in his thoughts.

In desperate hours gentleness may be repaid with death.
DENETHOR

Counsels may be found that are neither the webs of wizards
nor the haste of fools.
DENETHOR

Theoden, on the other hand, having already shaken off one encroaching, crippling darkness, will not have his thoughts clouded by another.  He has received the Red Arrow of summons and his purpose is now simple: to honour the oath of Eorl, to shake off fear, and to ride to death or glory, or both.  He knows little of Mordor or the history of the Ring, but the present task needs no such knowledge, only courage.

Remember old friendship and oaths long spoken.
HIRGON

In the morning counsels are best, and night changes many thoughts.
THEODEN

Holdwine of the Mark

Matters of height aside, Meriadoc of the Shire is very well suited to the Rohirrim: high-hearted rather than high-minded; more courageous than complicated.  He knows his place - beside the King - but has been forbidden it.

Where will wants not, a way opens.
DERNHELM

A more kindred spirit for Eowyn would be hard to find, and her decision to break two commands, by taking both herself and the holbytla to war, is both justified and forgiven in the end.

Great heart will not be denied.
THEODEN

Gimli's Brush with Humility

As has been previously noted, Gimli seems almost pathologically incapable of accepting his own weakness or the strength of any who are not of his race.  His pride is chronic, and his attitude typically dismissive.

Men need many words before deeds.
GIMLI

Strange are the ways of Men.
GIMLI

Doubtless the good stonework is the older
and was wrought in the first building.
It is ever so with the things that Men begin:
there is a frost in Spring, or a blight in Summer,
and they fail of their promise.
GIMLI

Yet, by following Aragorn on the Paths of the Dead, Gimli reached a point of humbling.  "Here is a thing unheard of!" he declared, "An Elf will go underground and a Dwarf dare not!"  And now, recounting to Merry and Pippin the terror of the Paths of the Dead, it seems that this humility has stayed with him.

I was put to shame: Gimli Gloin's son,
who had deemed himself more tough then Men,
and hardier under earth than any Elf.

GIMLI

On the Southern Numenoreans

The Men of Minas Tirith will never be overcome.
BERGIL

Prepare against all chances, good as well as evil.
IMRAHIL

Men are better than gates.
ARAGORN

Whether seen through the blinkered conviction of Bergil, or the steady-eyed pragmatism of Aragorn and the Prince, the fact remains that still, after three thousand years and more, the Men of Gondor and the Tower of Guard still remain unconquered.

Scorning Prudence

A great victory has been won, a great city saved, a great foe vanquished, but in the sober light of day these deeds look set to be eclipsed by even greater defeat, the destruction of all good things, and the permanent dominion of the Enemy.  For the captains of the West, all they have to cling to is 'just a fool's hope'.

Oft hope is born, when all is forlorn.
LEGOLAS [quoted by GIMLI]

They choose the only path by which they can possibly aid the destruction of Sauron: to seek battle before the Black Gate; to walk open-eyed into a trap; to engage the Eye long enough that Frodo and Sam may slip unnoticed toward the Fire.  But they know full well that their plan, however noble, in all probability seals their own destruction.

To waver is to fall.
ARAGORN

Follow what may, great deeds are not lessened in worth.
LEGOLAS

Amongst such courageous but hopeless counsels, proverbs prove weak.  For proverbs are prudent, sensible, and worn into shape by constant use; yet the present need is for foolish, innocent, uncalloused hope.  In many ways, the Wise have been forced to become like hobbits.

Eowyn Fights On

 

It is not always good to be healed in body.
Nor is it always evil to die in battle, even in bitter pain.
EOWYN

The state that Eowyn finds herself in after her healing by Aragorn is an exacerbation of her demise throughout the story: having been born high, hoped high and loved high, her emptiness is utter.

She is jealous of the dead, jealous of the now-departed host of the West, even jealous of those with a better view from their windows.  She is thrashing and flailing, wanting to fight but meeting nothing but compassion in return.

The world is full enough of hurts and mischances
without wars to multiply them.
WARDEN

It need but one foe to breed a war, not two.
EOWYN

Those who have not swords can still die upon them.
EOWYN

 

Having pointlessly debated war in the Houses of Healing with the Warden - the least war-like man in the city - Eowyn then comes up against an opponent who is greater than any of her people in both warcraft and wisdom, and whom she cannot conquer in debate.

Death in battle may come to us all yet, willing or unwilling.
FARAMIR

Do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart
FARAMIR

On Enduring Pain

 

There is no real going back.
FRODO

There are some wounds which cannot be wholly cured.
GANDALF

Having been key in averting utter disaster for all of Middle Earth, it is a great tragedy is that Frodo cannot benefit from what he has achieved.  Sam feels the injustice most keenly; aware that few know (or care) what his master has done and sacrificed, and heartbroken that even in anonymity, Frodo cannot enjoy the Shire that he saved.

It must be so, when things are in danger:
some one has to give them up, lose them,
so that others may keep them.
FRODO