Ultimate Defining Quote

***Valandil*** · 03-18-2004, 10:38 AM

I can't put my finger on this - maybe some of the rest of you could...

Many literary works have a defining, recognizable quote. Someone says it and 'everyone' with any familiarity to the story knows EXACTLY where it comes from. Examples: Shakespeare's "To be or not to be..." from 'Hamlet' and "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo..." from 'Romeo and Juliet' - and I'm sure there are SO many others.

What would be the single, most defining quote from 'The Lord of the Rings' - such that, if someone says it, 'everyone' knows where it's from and what they're talking about? Or - the quote that comes most readily to mind when someone mentions the story?

It'd be a shame if it came down to an 'evil' quote, but maybe: "One Ring to Rule them all..." is a strong candidate.

Rosie Gamgee · 03-18-2004, 10:43 AM

Oh definately. That's what popped into my head when I started reading your post. Maybe "Fool of a Took!" would come in somewhere in the top 10.

***Jonathan*** · 03-18-2004, 11:39 AM

"I am no man" and definitely
"My precious..."

brownjenkins · 03-18-2004, 12:05 PM

a couple that stick out for me:

"It's a dangerous business going out your front door."

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."

"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger."

"He who breaks a thing to find out what it is, has left the path of wisdom."

and probably my favorite:

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment."

Radagast The Brown · 03-18-2004, 12:15 PM

What about - "Even the mightiest man may be slain by one arrow."

"Fly, you fools" - is great.

***Valandil*** · 03-18-2004, 01:37 PM

There are a LOT of great quotes... but what one quote really defines the story?

Beruthiel's cat · 03-18-2004, 01:40 PM

I think the "One ring to rule them all..." quote is probably the defining one. It sums up the whole story very nicely.

Another one that has always stayed with me "It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand."

And one of my bosses said this quote (from "The Scouring of the Shire) always stayed with him:

"I am a messenger of the King!" he [Pippin] said. "You are speaking to the King' s friend, and one of the most reknowned in all the lands of the West. You are a ruffian and a fool. Down on your knees in the road and ask pardon, or I will set this troll's bane in you!"

He says it shows how much life has truly changed in the Shire and how much the Hobbits have changed as well. Good point, I think.

brownjenkins · 03-18-2004, 01:56 PM

how about frodo:

"It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: someone has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them."

The Gaffer · 03-18-2004, 02:31 PM

I'd agree with

Quote:

"It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: someone has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them."

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment."

Also the "ours is not to choose the times we are born into, it is to choose what to do with the time that is given us." one (can't remember it exactly)

cassiopeia · 03-18-2004, 08:20 PM

How about "Well, I'm back?" Maybe a bit too simple, but I find myself saying it a lot. Then, I am a Tolkien geek.

Bombadillo · 03-18-2004, 10:22 PM

"You can not pass," he said... "I am a Servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass"

This paragraph defines the story! It shows how desperate the Felowship's adventure was (notice how Gandalf "said" to the Balrog... He was Weary and didn't want to lift his staff.), and shows their dedication, and the power and wisdom of Gandalf in particular, and the importance of protecting Frodo with the Ring, as well as being one of the main plot points, and nothing leaves a more lasting impression on the reader (at least me), and it's just so awesome.

Linaewen · 03-19-2004, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cassiopeia
How about "Well, I'm back?" Maybe a bit too simple, but I find myself saying it a lot. Then, I am a Tolkien geek.

I know a few people who are big fans of that line, myself included.

The thing is, if you heard it but didn't remember the story well, you wouldn't be able to pinpoint its source. That's why I go with 'One Ring to rule them all'. There's no denying it comes from LotR. I like these too: "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger."

and

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them?"

Dwarven Sen · 03-19-2004, 09:41 AM

"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." is my personal favourite along with Frodo's corresponding line about the elves.

Oh and "I'm Back"

You know if I carry on the way my mind is going I'd end up just typing out the book. It's a defining book.

Lady Ravyn · 03-19-2004, 09:52 PM

the best quotes are "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are stubborn and quick to anger." and "I'm hungry; what is the time?". my favorites are "Fool of a Took" and "I am no man!" but i thik the two most definning quotes are "One Ring to rule them all..." and "My precious"

Beor · 03-20-2004, 06:39 AM

I'd have to go with "One ring to rule them all...". That is so ubiquitious (Sp?) that whenever anyone hears it, they think of Lord of the Rings, and hobbits and stuff.

My favorite, however, is the poem, "The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began..." I love that poem, and it pretty much hits the underlying theme from the book. For example, the road started at Bilbo's door when he left for the Lonely Mountain in the Hobbit, and look where it ended up. Right back in the Shire, with many people dead, and almost everyone changed (except for Sam, he somehow managed to keep the same, because he is a stalwart rock in a field of clay)

**Nurvingiel** · 03-20-2004, 06:51 AM

Dwarven Sen was referring to
"Do not go to the Elves for council, for they will say both no and yes."

I think "Do not meddle..." is a defining line. LotR is too complex to have only one though, in my opinion. But this is a good one because it's even paraphrased by Babylon 5! (In the episode with the Technomages, seasion three I think.)

mithrand1r · 03-21-2004, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brownjenkins
a couple that stick out for me:

"It's a dangerous business going out your front door."

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."

"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger."

"He who breaks a thing to find out what it is, has left the path of wisdom."

and probably my favorite:

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment."

I think that "One ring to rule them . . . " would be the most memorable quote from the novel.

brownjenkins,

Quote:

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."

I think this quote is from the Hobbit spoken by Thorin Oakenshield (sp?).

I think it is a good quote though.

Your favorite quote is one of my favorite as well.

Quote:

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment."

I would probably need to reread LOTR to rediscover many good lines.

Bombadillo · 03-21-2004, 01:10 AM

Beor, you picked a good one!
---- ---- ---- ----
"Roads go ever on and on,
under cloud and under star,
yet feet that wandering have gone
turn at last to home afar
Eyes that fire and sword have seen
and horror in the halls of stone
look at last on meadows green
and trees and hills they long have known."
----
"It's a dangerous business, going out of your door. [something about the road being like a river than can sweep you away if you don't firmly plant your feet.]"
---- ---- ---- ----
These two are great for telling the theme, moral, and extremely general summary of LotR. (Although I think they both came from The Hobbit.)

The "One Ring to rule them all..." poem sure does trigger an association with LotR, but i don't think it defines the tale so much as begins it, because it tells nothing of Frodo's quest, which is the story.

Dwarven Sen · 03-22-2004, 11:59 AM

it's true that most of my favourite lines have been corrupted by the pants thread.

Oh well.

you're right about the Bab 5 usage Nurvingiel, as well as the elf quote. I find it disconcerting that you can read my mind as well as you do.

***Valandil*** · 03-30-2004, 10:48 AM

Got another good one:

"I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way."

Also like the poem:

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

03-18-2004, 10:38 AM	#1
*Valandil* High King at Annuminas Administrator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wyoming - USA Posts: 10,752	Ultimate Defining Quote I can't put my finger on this - maybe some of the rest of you could... Many literary works have a defining, recognizable quote. Someone says it and 'everyone' with any familiarity to the story knows EXACTLY where it comes from. Examples: Shakespeare's "To be or not to be..." from 'Hamlet' and "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo..." from 'Romeo and Juliet' - and I'm sure there are SO many others. What would be the single, most defining quote from 'The Lord of the Rings' - such that, if someone says it, 'everyone' knows where it's from and what they're talking about? Or - the quote that comes most readily to mind when someone mentions the story? It'd be a shame if it came down to an 'evil' quote, but maybe: "One Ring to Rule them all..." is a strong candidate. __________________ 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!!

03-18-2004, 10:43 AM	#2
Rosie Gamgee The Lovely Hobbit-Lass Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bounded in a nut-shell Posts: 1,593	Oh definately. That's what popped into my head when I started reading your post. Maybe "Fool of a Took!" would come in somewhere in the top 10. __________________ It's New Years Day, just like the day before; Same old skies of grey, same empty bottles on the floor. Another year's gone by, and I was thinking once again, How can I take this losing hand and somehow win? Just give me One Good Year To get my feet back on the ground. I've been chasing grace; Grace ain't so easily found One bad hand can devil a man, chase him and carry him down. I've got to get out of here, just give me One Good Year!

03-18-2004, 11:39 AM	#3
*Jonathan* Entmoot Attorney-General, Equilibrating the Scales of Justice, Administrator ♎ Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 3,891	"I am no man" and definitely "My precious..." __________________ An unwritten post is a delightful universe of infinite possibilities. Set down one word, however, and it immediately becomes earthbound. Set down one sentence and it’s halfway to being just like every other bloody entry that’s ever been written. ☻

03-18-2004, 12:05 PM	#4
brownjenkins Advocatus Diaboli Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reality Posts: 3,767	a couple that stick out for me: "It's a dangerous business going out your front door." "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." "He who breaks a thing to find out what it is, has left the path of wisdom." and probably my favorite: "Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment." __________________ Your reality, sir, is lies and balderdash and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever.

03-18-2004, 12:15 PM	#5
Radagast The Brown Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Israel Posts: 6,975	What about - "Even the mightiest man may be slain by one arrow." "Fly, you fools" - is great. __________________ Lalala... poof! AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide Last edited by Radagast The Brown : 03-18-2004 at 12:16 PM.

03-18-2004, 01:37 PM	#6
*Valandil* High King at Annuminas Administrator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wyoming - USA Posts: 10,752	There are a LOT of great quotes... but what one quote *really defines* the story? __________________ 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!!

03-18-2004, 01:40 PM	#7
Beruthiel's cat mystical divinity of Unashamed Felinity Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: New York's beautiful North Coast -- we're all mad here!!! Posts: 635	I think the "One ring to rule them all..." quote is probably the defining one. It sums up the whole story very nicely. Another one that has always stayed with me "It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand." And one of my bosses said this quote (from "The Scouring of the Shire) always stayed with him: "I am a messenger of the King!" he [Pippin] said. "You are speaking to the King' s friend, and one of the most reknowned in all the lands of the West. You are a ruffian and a fool. Down on your knees in the road and ask pardon, or I will set this troll's bane in you!" He says it shows how much life has truly changed in the Shire and how much the Hobbits have changed as well. Good point, I think. __________________ "Never try to out-stubborn a cat!" -- R. Heinlein ~~~~~~~~~ "But I don't want to be among mad people, " Alice remarked. "Oh, but you can't help that," said the Cat; "We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad." "How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here." ~~ Lewis Carroll ~~~~~~~~~~~ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana...

03-18-2004, 01:56 PM	#8
brownjenkins Advocatus Diaboli Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reality Posts: 3,767	how about frodo: "It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: someone has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them." __________________ Your reality, sir, is lies and balderdash and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever.

03-18-2004, 08:20 PM	#10
cassiopeia Viggoholic Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 1,749	How about "Well, I'm back?" Maybe a bit too simple, but I find myself saying it a lot. Then, I am a Tolkien geek. __________________ Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.

03-18-2004, 10:22 PM	#11
Bombadillo "The Bomb" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: all over the place Posts: 1,601	"You can not pass," he said... "I am a Servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass" This paragraph defines the story! It shows how desperate the Felowship's adventure was (notice how Gandalf "said" to the Balrog... He was Weary and didn't want to lift his staff.), and shows their dedication, and the power and wisdom of Gandalf in particular, and the importance of protecting Frodo with the Ring, as well as being one of the main plot points, and nothing leaves a more lasting impression on the reader (at least me), and it's just so awesome. __________________ Could it be that one path to enlightenment leads through insanity?

03-19-2004, 09:41 AM	#13
Dwarven Sen Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Edinburgh University Library Posts: 410	"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." is my personal favourite along with Frodo's corresponding line about the elves. Oh and "I'm Back" You know if I carry on the way my mind is going I'd end up just typing out the book. It's a defining book. __________________ Destroy the dementors not the demented. Dont heckle the supervillain Note to Self: Remember that sarcasm is hard to detect from text. What ever you do, don't click this link! my LJ

03-19-2004, 09:52 PM	#14
Lady Ravyn Thief Queen of Entmoot Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: oh, I just wander around, aimlessly... Posts: 1,060	the best quotes are "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are stubborn and quick to anger." and "I'm hungry; what is the time?". my favorites are "Fool of a Took" and "I am no man!" but i thik the two most definning quotes are "One Ring to rule them all..." and "My precious" __________________ smooch Proud Member of the Evil Mooters and upstanding citizen of the Planet Bob! And all you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be... My Space! Cynicism is what happens when a person opens their eyes; stops blinking in the sun, and starts wondering "why". Question everything, believe only that which you yourself deem true. Go ahead- Call me cynical.

03-20-2004, 06:39 AM	#15
Beor founder of the color blue Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: E-Space Posts: 1,727	I'd have to go with "One ring to rule them all...". That is so ubiquitious (Sp?) that whenever anyone hears it, they think of Lord of the Rings, and hobbits and stuff. My favorite, however, is the poem, "The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began..." I love that poem, and it pretty much hits the underlying theme from the book. For example, the road started at Bilbo's door when he left for the Lonely Mountain in the Hobbit, and look where it ended up. Right back in the Shire, with many people dead, and almost everyone changed (except for Sam, he somehow managed to keep the same, because he is a stalwart rock in a field of clay) __________________ Well, there it is.

03-21-2004, 01:10 AM	#18
Bombadillo "The Bomb" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: all over the place Posts: 1,601	Beor, you picked a good one! ---- ---- ---- ---- "Roads go ever on and on, under cloud and under star, yet feet that wandering have gone turn at last to home afar Eyes that fire and sword have seen and horror in the halls of stone look at last on meadows green and trees and hills they long have known." ---- "It's a dangerous business, going out of your door. [something about the road being like a river than can sweep you away if you don't firmly plant your feet.]" ---- ---- ---- ---- These two are great for telling the theme, moral, and extremely general summary of LotR. (Although I think they both came from The Hobbit.) The "One Ring to rule them all..." poem sure does trigger an association with LotR, but i don't think it defines the tale so much as begins it, because it tells nothing of Frodo's quest, which is the story. __________________ Could it be that one path to enlightenment leads through insanity?

03-22-2004, 11:59 AM	#19
Dwarven Sen Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Edinburgh University Library Posts: 410	it's true that most of my favourite lines have been corrupted by the pants thread. Oh well. you're right about the Bab 5 usage Nurvingiel, as well as the elf quote. I find it disconcerting that you can read my mind as well as you do. __________________ Destroy the dementors not the demented. Dont heckle the supervillain Note to Self: Remember that sarcasm is hard to detect from text. What ever you do, don't click this link! my LJ

03-30-2004, 10:48 AM	#20
*Valandil* High King at Annuminas Administrator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wyoming - USA Posts: 10,752	Got another good one: *"I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way."* Also like the poem: All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king. __________________ 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!!

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