Today is the birthday of J.R.R. Tolkien! Admittedly, I read The Hobbit when I was in sixth grade, and loved the book, but did not pick up the Lord of the Rings series until after I was introduced to the movies and found myself obsessed. Since then, I have read the series thrice and have watched the films countless times. In fact, Bilbo Baggins remains to be one of my favorite literary characters of all time (I don’t think that will ever change).

Back in September, we celebrated “Hobbit Day” where I shared some of my favorite quotes from The Hobbit. Today, I thought it might be fun to share my favorite quotes from the Lord of the Rings series:

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” 

“I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.” 

“It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish, as my old gaffer used to say.” 

“Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.” 

“If that’s being queer, then we could do with a bit more queerness in these parts.” 

“Don’t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story.” 

“Often does hatred hurt itself!” 

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” 

Happy 126th birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien!