97 quotes
The female monster is certainly no deadlier than the male, but she is different. She is a sucking, strangling, trapping creature.
Fantasy is a higher form of Art, indeed the most nearly pure form, and so (when achieved) the most potent.
On Fairy-Stories (1939)
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped a sword-hilt."
"Return with what speed you may, and let our swords hereafter shine together!"
"Come!" said Aragorn. "This is the hour when we draw swords together!"
The particular ‘desire’ of the Eregion Elves—an ‘allegory’ if you like of a love of machinery, and technical devices—is also symbolised by their special friendship with the Dwarves of Moria.
Tom’s country ends here: he will not pass the borders.
Tom has his house to mind, and Goldberry is waiting!
The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
That story was the only thing I have ever done which cost me absolutely no pains at all.
Trees are not 'trees', until so named and seen —
and never were so named, till those had been
who speech's involuted breath unfurled,
faint echo and dim picture of the world.
Mythopoeia (1931)
They were armed with short broad-bladed swords, not with the curved scimitars usual with Orcs.
The Two Towers (1954)
Small wonder that spell means both a story told, and a formula of power over living men.
On Fairy-Stories (1939)
Advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.
All that we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
But he that sows lies in the end shall not lack of a harvest, and soon he may rest from toil indeed, while others reap and sow in his stead.
The Silmarillion (1977)
The moment disbelief arises, the spell is broken; the magic, or rather art, has failed.
On Fairy-Stories (1939)
Many are the strange chances of the world... and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.
In such 'fantasy', as it is called, new form is made; Faerie begins; Man becomes a sub-creator.
On Fairy-Stories (1939)
Trolls are only counterfeits, made by the Enemy in the Great Darkness, in mockery of Ents, as Orcs were of Elves.
The Two Towers (1954)
From Evereven’s lofty hills
where softly silver fountains fall
his wings him bore, a wandering light,
beyond the mighty Mountain Wall.
I have the hatred of apartheid in my bones...
Valedictory address to the University of Oxford (1959)