The Wisdom Letter #139
5 quotes from J. R. R. Tolkien (1892–1973)
✹ For today's Wisdom Letter, we have carefully curated five bite-sized quotes from the English writer and philologist, J. R. R. Tolkien (1892–1973).
Quote № 01:
“There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark.”
— J. R. R. Tolkien, “The Two Towers”
Quote № 02:
“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
— J. R. R. Tolkien, “The Fellowship of the Ring”
Quote № 03:
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
— J. R. R. Tolkien, “The Fellowship of the Ring”
Quote № 04:
“All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost.”
— J. R. R. Tolkien, “The Fellowship of the Ring”
Quote № 05:
“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 judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.”
— J. R. R. Tolkien, “The Fellowship of the Ring”
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✺ Today’s Questions
Three philosophical questions to foster your curiosity:
Question № 01:
What does it mean to pursue a path where the outcome is unknown, and how do we reconcile with uncertainty when making significant life decisions?
Question № 02:
How should we prioritize our limited time on Earth when faced with endless choices, and what responsibilities come with that freedom?
Question № 03:
When facing darkness or difficult choices, is it more courageous to continue forward or to refuse to participate? What role does courage play in determining our actions in times of uncertainty?
✽ Thank you for reading today’s Wisdom Letter.
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I love these. Especially that last one about death, it stood out already for me when I read the books as a teen. As to Question 1: I like to think that intent is often more important than the outcome. When I know my intent is clear, I'm less fazed when the desired outcome differs.
Question #3 it depends. A hypothetical scenario that come to mind is -as follows. A man in a jungle on a dark night is being chased by a predator when his flashlight goes dark. The answer depends on many factors. But I am wondering what is courageous and what is foolish? Can a foolish act be rationalized as being courageous?