Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends.
Nearly all marriages, even happy ones, are mistakes: in the sense that almost certainly (in a more perfect world, or even with a little more care in this very imperfect one) both partners might be found more suitable mates. But the real soul-mate is the one you are actually married
Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.
I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence.
The Hobbits are just rustic English people, made small in size because it reflects the generally small reach of their imagination.
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.
All that is gold does not glitter; not all those that wander are lost.