J. R. R. Tolkien Quotes

It doesn't matter if the water is cold or warm if you're going to have to wade through it anyway.

To put up with what you cannot avoid is a philosophical principle, that may not perhaps lead you to the accomplishment of great deeds, but is assuredly eminently practical.

Let us act on what we have, since we have not what we wish.

Nobody should pin their hopes on a miracle.

If I was bound for hell, let it be hell. No more false heaven. No more damned magic.

When you get to all right, take a good look around and get used to it, because that may be as far as you're gonna go.

Surrender is not the best way to live; it is the only way to live. Nothing else works.

We don't have to convince people how screwed they are.

Told herself likewise not to hope. But it was too late. Hope had already entered.

There is something truly restorative, finally comforting, in coming to the end of an illusion - a false hope.

Listen,” she said. “I may not be what you want right now, but I’m all you’ve got.

I must play the instrument I've got.

If you know that things are bound to happen whatever you do, then you may feel free to give up the fight against them.

We all do what we can, and it has to be good enough, and if it isn't good enough, it has to do.

It may be that the life I desire for her no longer even exists, yet I know what she does not. That there is nothing to lose.

The worse that could happen has already happened to me.

What must be shall be; and that which is a necessity to him that struggles, is little more than choice to him that is willing.

Life is sad, life is a bust, all you can do is do what you must.

Whatever is destined not to happen will not happen, try as you may. Whatever is destined to happen will happen, do what you may to prevent it. This is certain. The best course, therefore, is to remain silent.

O God, help me to win, but in thy wisdom if thou willest me not to win, then O God, make me a good loser.

In accordance with the prarabdha of each, the One whose function it is to ordain makes each to act. What will not happen will never happen, whatever effort one may put forth. And what will happen will not fail to happen, however much one may seek to prevent it. This is certain. The part of wisdom therefore is to stay quiet.

... The wise in all ages... have tried to learn one thing only, and that was resignation to the Will of God. By doing this, they have reached a stage at which they could see from God's point of view.

Reality is a prison, where one vegetates and always will. All the rest - thought, action - is just a pastime, mental or physical. What counts then, is to come to grips with reality. The rest can go.

May God grant me love for that which has splendor; but in this time of my life let me strive for attainable things.