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Authors offer great commentary on society, history, as well as contemporary setbacks and triumphs. Historians, epic novelists, and fantasy writers all have a way of telling a story while also providing a commentary about the times that it was written. However, far less often comes along a writer who transcends genre and becomes an icon in their own right.
One of those people is John Ronald Reual Tolkien. Known better by his initials, ‘J.R.R.’, Tolkien was so much more than just an author of fantasy epics; he was a philosopher of his time. Drawing upon his experience in the trenches of WW1, Tolkien provides us with insightful commentary that we can learn from his epic “The Lord of the Rings”.
In honour of Tolkien Reading Day (March 25), here are three memorable quotes from Lord of the Rings that you can apply to everyday life:
“Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.”
This quote is an important reminder that doing good deeds, and the right thing is a reward unto itself, and should not be driven by thoughts of praise or the potential for material gain. Do good things, not only because it might be expedient, but because it is the right thing to do by others. Tolkien teaches us that some of the best and most noble deeds we do are just that because of the fact that no one else knows we did them.
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
Here, Tolkien reminds us (through the eternally wise Wizard Gandalf), that we often have little to no control of the direction that life takes us in. In modern society, it is common for people to suffer from tremendous amounts of anxiety thinking about how they could’ve done things differently, or wishing that things were different than they presently are. Tolkien reminds us that all we can do is make the most of the situation we have been given, and to not worry about things that are outside of our control. If you are present and focused on what you are doing in the moment, you will be happier and more dedicated.
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”
In the social media obsessed age that we live in, it can be hard to keep track of and understand what motivates those around us. With shorter attention spans and less time devoted to building genuine in-person relationships, it is not uncommon for us to wrongly place our trust in the wrong people. Tolkien tells us to take great caution with trusting anyone who is only a “fair weather” friend, who will be nowhere to be found when times are tough. It is a reminder that we should take the time to build strong, genuine and trusting relationships and to never feel obligated to work with or trust those who will not be there when we need them most.
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