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!

***Rían*** · 06-29-2005, 03:42 PM

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

***Rían*** · 06-30-2005, 01:57 PM

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!!

The Gaffer · 07-01-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeardofPants

"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!!

Right after Gandalf said:

Do not meddle in the pants of wizards, for they are subtle and usually have a russet gusset.

***Rían*** · 07-01-2005, 02:26 PM

Eep!
*puts on a skirt*

hi, BoP! I passed up your post count! Neener neener!

Elanor the Fair · 07-07-2005, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens.

Gimli, Book 2 Chapter 3

Elanor the Fair · 07-07-2005, 07:20 PM

Quote:

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

Quote:

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.

06-22-2005, 04:35 PM	#1
Forkbeard Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 369	Proverbial Tolkien 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

06-23-2005, 04:48 PM	#5
Telcontar_Dunedain Warrior of the House of Hador Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,651	A hasty stroke goes oft astray. Aragorn The Passing of the Grey Company. __________________ Then Huor spoke and said: "Yet if it stands but a little while, then out of your house shall come the hope of Elves and Men. This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death: though we part here for ever, and I shall not look on your white walls again, from you and me a new star shall arise. Farewell!" The Silmarillion, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Page 230

06-29-2005, 11:58 AM	#7
The Gaffer Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In me taters Posts: 3,288	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 Last edited by The Gaffer : 06-29-2005 at 11:59 AM.

06-29-2005, 12:21 PM	#8
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	"Don't laugh at life dragons." Somewhat lacking in modern-day-application when concidered in the literal sense, but definitely with a good point! __________________ We are not things.

06-29-2005, 03:42 PM	#9
*Rían* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	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. __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!

06-22-2005, 04:47 PM	#2
Last Child of Ungoliant The Intermittent One Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: here and there Posts: 4,671	If in doubt, always follow your nose. Gandalf FotR, The Bridge of Khazad-Dum (I think)

06-22-2005, 05:04 PM	#3
The Gaffer Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In me taters Posts: 3,288	Where there's life there's hope; and need of vittles. Me Book IV, Chapter 7

06-22-2005, 05:08 PM	#4
Last Child of Ungoliant The Intermittent One Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: here and there Posts: 4,671	I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil. Gandalf RotK, The Grey Havens

06-28-2005, 02:05 PM	#6
Forkbeard Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 369	All that glitters is not gold..... Bibo's whole poem about Aragorn seems made up of this kind of "one liner"

06-29-2005, 04:36 PM	#10
tolkienfan Elf Lord Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Internet Posts: 803	Another slight change is Make haste while the sun shines - Goldberry Now we say Make hay while the sun shines. __________________ Don't be hasty! Thanks so much to Last Child of Ungoliant, Twista, and BeardofPants for my avatar!

06-29-2005, 08:38 PM	#11
*Valandil* High King at Annuminas Administrator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wyoming - USA Posts: 10,752	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. __________________ My Fanfic: Letters of Firiel Tales of Nolduryon Visitors Come to Court Ñ á ë ?* ó ú é ä ï ö Ö ñ É Þ ð ß ® ™ [Xurl=Xhttp://entmoot.tolkientrail.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=ABCXYZ#postABCXYZ]text[/Xurl] Splitting Threads is SUCH Hard Work!!

06-30-2005, 03:31 AM	#12
The Gaffer Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In me taters Posts: 3,288	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

06-30-2005, 01:57 PM	#13
*Rían* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	Yes, I like that one - Eomer has really grown on me in the last few readings ... __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!

07-01-2005, 02:15 AM	#14
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	"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!! __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

07-01-2005, 02:26 PM	#16
*Rían* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	Eep! puts on a skirt hi, BoP! I passed up your post count! Neener neener! __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!

07-07-2005, 11:59 PM	#20
Bombadillo "The Bomb" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: all over the place Posts: 1,601	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. __________________ Could it be that one path to enlightenment leads through insanity?

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