And when [Bear] lay dead, of no wound or grief, but stricken by age, the Elder saw for the first time the swift waning of the life of Men, and the death of weariness which they knew not in themselves; and they grieved greatly for the loss of their friends. But Bear at the last had relinquished his life willingly and passed in peace; and the Elder wondered much at the strange fate of Men, for in all their lore there was no account of it, and its end was hidden from them.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

And you, Ring-bearer,’ she said, turning to Frodo. ‘I come to you last who are not last in my thoughts. For you, I have prepared this.’ She held up a small crystal phial: it glittered as she moved it, and rays of white light sprang from her hand. ‘In this phial,’ she said, ‘is caught the light of Earned’s star, set amid the waters of my fountain. It will shine still brighter when night is about you. May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out. Remember Galleries and her Mirror!’ Frodo took the phial, and for a moment as it shone between them, he saw her again standing like a queen, great and beautiful.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

A ruler who discerning justice refused to it the sanction of law, demanding abnegation of rights and self-sacrifice, will not drive his subjects to these virtues, virtuous only if free, but by unnaturally making justice unlawful, will drive them rather to rebellion against all law.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

As a lord was held for the strength of his body and stoutness of heart. Much lore he learned, and loved wisdom but fortune followed him in few desires;oft wrong and awry what he wrought turned;what he loved he lost, what he longed for he won not;and full friendship he found not easily, nor was lightly loved for his looks were sad. He was gloom-hearted, and glad seldom for the sundering sorrow that filled his youth...(On Turin Tramcar - The Children of Huron)

— J.R.R. Tolkien

As the hound follows the hare, never ceasing in its running, ever drawing nearer in the chase, with hurrying and perturbed pace, so does God follow the fleeing soul by His Divine grace. And though in sin or in human love, away from God it seeks to hide itself, Divine grace follows after, unwaveringly follows ever after, till the soul feels its pressure forcing it to turn to Him alone in that never ending pursuit.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

As the light upon the leaves of trees, as the voice of clear waters, as the stars above the mists of the world, such was her glory and her loveliness; and in her face was a shining light.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

As the story grew, it put down roots into the past and threw out unexpected branches.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

As they sang the hobbit felt in love of beautiful things made by hands and by cunning and by magic moving through him, a fierce and a jealous love, the desire of the hearts of dwarves.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

A story must be told or there'll be no story, yet it is the untold stories that are most moving.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

...as young and as ancient as Spring....

— J.R.R. Tolkien