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 Advice

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

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

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 Gandalf the Guide

   Let the guide go first while you have one.
ARAGORN

The navigation of Moria, a personal triumph for Gandalf, is rarely remembered, paling as it does beside its ultimate cost.  But that journey in the dark, through the vast and mind-bogglingly intricate Mines, could not possibly have been accomplished without his leadership; even Gimli, the Fellowship member most at home in such deep and dark surroundings, is left utterly bewildered by the scale of Khazad-dûm.

In these circumstances, it is Aragorn - himself one of the greatest trail-finders and guides in Middle Earth - who is left to reassure the others with his confidence in the wizard's ability.

He is surer of finding the way in a blind night than the cats of Queen Beruthiel.
ARAGORN

Leaving Lothlorien

The Fellowship remained in Lorien for a month, though they were not aware of the passing of time.  Unsurprisingly, the decision to leave had to be taken for them, although the Lord & Lady did present the opportunity to remain, if any so desired.

Whether they stay or go, none can be sure of peace.
CELEBORN

Maybe the paths that you each shall tread
are already laid before your feet,
though you do not see them.
GALADRIEL

The final gift-giving and farewell scene is heavy with poignancy as the Fellowship collectively realise that they are now fated to head away from stainless beauty and restful peace, and towards the dark, the dangerous, and the unknown.

Since words naturally lack at such a solemn time, the appearance of several proverbs - though this time of consolation and advice, not of wisdom and debate - lends added weight to the brevity.

Memory is not what the heart desires.
GIMLI

Alas for us all!  And for all that walk the world these after-days.
For such is the way of it: to find and lose,
as it seems to those whose boat is on the running stream.
LEGOLAS

On the Hunt

After the successive disasters of losing Boromir, the kidnap of Merry & Pippin, and the absconding of Frodo with Sam, the Fellowship's remaining three are for a time lost in a mire of self-condemnation and despair.  They do not know what course of action to choose - or indeed, as Gimli says, if there even is a right choice - and their leader keeps repeating that 'all he has done has gone amiss'.

It is in such circumstances that the Three Hunters - and particularly Legolas and Aragorn - fall back on received wisdom to keep them moving.  The proverbs they quote are nearly all straightforward and practical, aimed to advise while protecting them from depression and self-defeat.

Let us first do what we must do.
LEGOLAS

When the great fall, the less must lead.
ARAGORN

There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse,
even though the end may be dark.
ARAGORN

Endure the East Wind, but do not ask it for tidings.
ARAGORN

Having dealt with and mourned Boromir, and set out upon the hopeless pursuit of Merry & Pippin's captors, these proverbs become an encouragement (ie. reminding the Three that they are indeed equipped for their difficult task) and a source of hope that all is not lost.

Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall.
ARAGORN

Where sight fails the earth may bring us rumour.
ARAGORN

Keen are the eyes of the elves.
ARAGORN

Rede oft is found at the rising of the Sun.
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

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

From Mithrandir

Gandalf uses proverbs all the time - often, very probably, without realising.  They are regularly strung together as a part of normal speech, rather than being quoted more formally.

This creates a situation where there is little way of telling whether an axiom is actually being employed, or whether Gandalf's own thoughts naturally present themselves in such lore-like poetic forms.

It is not our part to master all the tides of the world,
but to do what is in us for the succour of the years wherein we are set,
uprooting the evil in the fields that we know,
so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.
What weather they shall have is not ours to rule.
GANDALF

Which could more easily, and less floridly, be expressed as:

All we now have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
GANDALF

On Naming Babies

The War is over, and the only pressing concerns remaining are far more common-place (and Hobbit-like) than what has gone before.  This is the speciality of Shire-lore.

Put the Little People in counsels of war or discussing the devices of evil and they will fall silent, but get them discussing ale or bath-times or taters, and a wealth of tried-and-tested sayings leap forth.  Likewise choosing names for newborns.

Make it short, then you won't have to cut it short.
GAFFER