Proverbs, Adages, Aphorisms, Saws, Wise Sayings & Clichés

[Evisse the Blue]

Ulmo to Tuor.In the armour of Fate (as the children of Earth name it) there is ever a rift and in Doom a breach, until the full-making which ye call the End. Beautiful one, that.

[Guinevere]

Yes, well done Evisse!

[Evisse the Blue]

"Fear both the heat and the cold of your heart".

[Guinevere]

Melian to Túrin, if I remember rightly... :)

[Evisse the Blue]

You do remember rightly. :)

[Guinevere]

Thank you!
Advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.

[Sleepy Ranger]

Gildor to Frodo

[Guinevere]

Right! That was a fast answer, Sleepy ;) so you're apparently not so sleepy at all...

[Sleepy Ranger]

Next question.

And I daresay theres more truth in some of them than you reckon.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Sam to Ted Sandyman about fireside tales and children's stories.

[Sleepy Ranger]

Thats it

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Easy one:

Where the warg howls, there also the orc prowls.

[Lostgaeriel]

That's Aragorn replying to Boromir's adage 'the wolf one hears is worse than the orc that one fears'. A Journey in the Dark - about 4 pages into that chapter.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

That's the one, well done!

[Lostgaeriel]

Here's a cliché:

Mind your Ps and Qs

Who said that to whom, when, where and why?

[Evisse the Blue]

I think that's Frodo advising his companions to behave sensibly when they arrive at the Prancing Pony. Chapter Fog on the Barrow Downs.
Am I right?

[Lostgaeriel]

Alas, Evisse the Blue, that's not correct. It's a different speaker and a different chapter. But you're in the neighbourhood. Feel free to open the book and look for the quote. That is the point of these games - to get to know the book better - to have an "excuse" to read parts of it again.

[Sleepy Ranger]

I think I've got it.
Merry to The other (3)Hobbits.
In the Chapter-At the Sign of the Prancing Pony.
The part where Merry says it'lll get to stuffy and he may go out for a sniff of air later.

[Lostgaeriel]

Yes, Sleepy Ranger, you have it!

'I shall sit here quietly by the fire for a bit, and perhaps go out later for a sniff of the air. Mind your Ps and Qs, and don't forget that you are supposted to be escaping in secret, and are still on the high-road and not very far from the Shire!'

Merry is so sensible. (Well, except when he tried to follow the Black Rider a little while later.)

Your turn.

[Sleepy Ranger]

Walk warily

400th post...........

[rutslegolas]

aragorn to pippin in moria??/

[Sleepy Ranger]

No.

[Guinevere]

That's a very short quote, Sleepy! :eek:
Could you at least give a hint from which book it is? (I'd guess from the Silm or UT...)

[Sleepy Ranger]

Its not from the Silm and I don't have the UT:rolleyes:
Its not from the Hobbit either, nor from one of the HoME. ;)

Thats your hint.................:p

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Merry to Legolas;

[Sleepy Ranger]

Yes thats it.

[Guinevere]

But where was that, if I may ask ?

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Guinevere, I found it in Two Towers, in the chapter: The voice of Saruman.

Ok, new one:

They spoke much in their dreaming, before they sank into the deadly darkness.

[Guinevere]

That would be Gandalf in the Houses of Healing, about Merry and Eowyn. To whom? Um, Aragorn, Eomer, Pippin...

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Good work!
Proceed please.

[Guinevere]

Thank you, Mariska!
Yet oft in lies truth is hidden.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Glorfindel to Elrond:

Yet oft in lies thruth is hidden: in the Sea it woud be safe.

[Guinevere]

Well done, Mariska! I thought this one would be hard to find, since it is so general.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

It wasn't easy, that's for sure!

Cast the stones of your pride into the loud river...

[Guinevere]

Gelmir and Arminas speaking to Orodreth , quoting the message that Ulmo had given to Cirdan. :)

[Guinevere]

Well, it seems that Mariska isn't around to confirm my answer, but as I know it is correct, I will go ahead and post a new proverb.
"The upclimbing is painful, and from high places it is easy to fall low."

[Guinevere]

Do you need a hint, or is just nobody looking at this thread? :rolleyes: :(

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I'm looking, but it seems to be a Sil quote, and it's been too long since I've read that... A clue sounds good!

[Son of Númenor]

Is it Sador in the Narn i Hin Hurin?

[Guinevere]

Indeed, it is Sador who said this to Túrin . :) Your turn, Son of Númenor!

[Evisse the Blue]

*bump*

[Evisse the Blue]

Ok, here's an easy one: To crooked eyes truth may wear a wry face.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Gandalf to Theoden in "The Two Towers".

[Evisse the Blue]

yes, correct. btw, Mariska, I haven't seen you around for a while.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

'A king is he that can hold his own, or else his title is vain.'


I've been very busy lately, and went on holiday but it's really great to be back again...

Good luck on the new quote! ;)

[Evisse the Blue]

Maedhros to Angrod

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Correct!

[Evisse the Blue]

Someone else should go because I won't be able to go online for a while.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

I'll post a new one, if that's allright.

Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt.

Oh, I noticed that today is my first death-day! Happy death-day to me! :D

[Guinevere]

It was Gandalf who said this at the council of Elrond.

btw : many happy returns of the day! ( belatedly) :)

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Thank you very much!

And your turn for a new one, because you were right of course. ;)

[Guinevere]

Oops, I nearly forgot that it's my turn...
A thief shall reveal thieves!

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Feanor was thinking this to himself while the Valar askes him for the Simarils.

[Guinevere]

Yes, that was him!

[Mariska Greenleaf]

You are not a very easy nut to crack.

but I'm afraid that this actually is an easy nut to crack... ;)

[Sleepy Ranger]

A bit too easy if you ask me.
Merry to Frodo.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Exactly! Go ahead Sleepy ;)

[Sleepy Ranger]

Third time pays for all

It does? What about the 4th, 5th and 6th?

[Evisse the Blue]

Sam to Gollum.

[Sleepy Ranger]

Nope. That was a different quote altogether and I believe Frodo said that Gollum and it went something like this - May the third time prove the best.
So anyway you're totally off.

[Evisse the Blue]

Sleepy, do you have your book with you? If so - check it out: chapter "Of Herbs amd Stewed Rabbit". Sam says: Third time pays for all. I want some herbs. Ah, to prove Sleepy wrong! :D

It may be in more than one place, of course. But this is certainly one of them.

[Sleepy Ranger]

Well, now that I've checked properly. I have found it occurs thrice. Once where Evisse mentioned and twice in the Hobbit. Seeing as it wasn't such a good quote you may pose the next question Evisse.

[Evisse the Blue]

No, it was a very good quote. And obviously a favourite of Tolkien's, since he used it so often!

Next:It needs but one foe to breed a war

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Éowyn to the Warden of the Houses of Healing?

[Evisse the Blue]

Correct!

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

And yes, I still love the dots.

...wounds made by no weapons.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Beleg to Turin:

Alas, Child of Men! There are other griefs in Middle-Earth than yours, and wounds made by no weapons

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Correct, jumping cat Mariska!

Your turn.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Mariska?

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Sorry, sorry.... forgot about this thread again...

True-hearted men, they will not be corrupted.

[Evisse the Blue]

Boromir to Frodo, in 'The breaking of the fellowship"

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Mariska?

[Mariska Greenleaf]

I just keep forgetting about this thread :o

Evisse was right!

[Evisse the Blue]

Thanks.
In dangerous days men hide their chief treasure.

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Aragorn to Arwen?

[Evisse the Blue]

Yep!

[Tuor of Gondolin]

This next one is verrrry easy, but I like the quote. especially in context. :D

"Never laugh at live dragons."

[Evisse the Blue]

That's one of Bilbo's favourite sayings. He said it to himself in Smaug's lair, after having done just that. :D

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Yess. But without the precious the Baggins would have been "literal" toast. :eek:

Your turn.

[Evisse the Blue]

Thanks.

Valour needs first strength, and then a weapon

[Mariska Greenleaf]

That was Boromir during the councel of Elrond.

[Evisse the Blue]

Boy, that was fast!

[Mariska Greenleaf]

:)

Next one:

He is surer of finding the way home in a blind night than the cats of Queen Berúthiel.

[Evisse the Blue]

Aragorn about Gandalf in Moria.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

For some reason I knew that the answer wouldn't take long...
Well done! ;)

[Evisse the Blue]

Orc-work in the woods for Orc-words in the hall
:p

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Turin to Mablung, while he was pantsing Saeros. :D

[Evisse the Blue]

Sure!

[Tuor of Gondolin]

All right. This one may be a bit obscure. I think it counts as an aphorism.

"...it is one thing to see what needs doing, and quite another to find the means."

Answer should include exactly who the speaker is addressing.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

This is Gandalf speaking, to the hobbits and Gimli, after the destruction of the ring, in Minas Tirith.

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Correct. Your turn.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

Hoi! I came across a nice one just today, try to find it!

"To sneak aside a handful orcs like cowed dog."

[Guinevere]

Isn't that Tuor to Voronwë ? ( On the way to Gondolin )

[Mariska Greenleaf]

It sure is! Your turn, Guinevere ;)

[Guinevere]

Thanks! :) Strange chances, but murder will out, 'tis said

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Faramir to Frodo, in Ithilien.

[Guinevere]

You're right, Tuor! :)
"murder will out" refers to the fact that Boromir's horn was found. Your turn!

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Okay. Here goes:

A small oversight; but it proved fatal. Small oversights often are.

[Firefoot]

Gandalf to Merry.

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Correct. For bonus points, what was the oversight?

[Firefoot]

Ooh, bonus points. That would be that Sauron payed no more mind to Thrain than to get the Dwarven Ring. He missed the map and key, wise fool. ;) "But where all lies on chance, to chance we must trust." Hopefully I can get this post up this time... my computer is being stupid. :rolleyes:

[Guinevere]

Turambar to Hunthor , when they didn't know where Glaurung would cross Teiglin.

[Firefoot]

Correct as always. :)

[Guinevere]

Thanks, Firefoot .
It may be the part of a friend to rebuke a friend's folly

[Mariska Greenleaf]

That was Olwë to Feanor, when Feanor accused Olwë of renouncing friendship.

[Guinevere]

that was a fast answer, Mariska! :)
I hope you still find a new proverb somewhere ;)

[Mariska Greenleaf]

It is starting to get difficult to find a challenging proverb indeed!

One thing drives out another.

Probably a bit too easy...

[Firefoot]

Butterbur to Frodo.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

that's right! Take it over, Firefoot! ;)

[Firefoot]

"the tree grows best in the land of its sires;" Probably another too easy one... ;)

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Aragorn to Frodo?

[Firefoot]

Yep.

[Tuor of Gondolin]

This one is (probably) very easy:

A woman must share her husband's love with his work and the fire of his spirit, or make him a thing not loveable.

[Guinevere]

The wise Nuneth to her daughter Erendis...

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Yep. Your turn.

[Guinevere]

Thanks! :) The guilty shall bring the guilty to judgement.

[Carnimírië]

Théoden to Gandalf?

[Guinevere]

And about who he is talking ?

[Carnimírië]

Hama and Eomer.

[Guinevere]

Right. Your turn, Carnimiríë ! :)

[Carnimírië]

Try this.
For victory is victory, however small

I hope that counts as a proverb, adage, aphorism, saw, wise saying or cliché!

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Said by Túrin to Gwindor, during a meeting of the King's Council. Found in UT I 2, appendix.

[Carnimírië]

Very good. Please proceed.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Hmmm . . . I think this one's a cliché:

The next blow shall be ours!

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Anyone?

[Tuor of Gondolin]

I believe it's some really stupid Numenoreans getting psyched up
to try to kick-*** in Aman.
(Big mistake! :eek: )

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Yes, the speaker's Númenórean, Tuor, but I want the specific stupid son of somebody who said it.

[Fingolfin II]

I think Ar-Pharazon spoke these words, but they were made up by Sauron?

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Take it, Fingolfin!

[Guinevere]

Well, it's been more than a month... so I'll take the liberty to post a new proverb/cliché :
Short is the sight of Mortal Men

[Evisse the Blue]

Voronwe to Tuor.

[Guinevere]

http://www.travar.de/Templates/Webprojekt/images/luxhello.gif
Exactly!

[Evisse the Blue]

Thanks. :D

"The legs of Men will lag on a rough road..."
(quote cut short not to give too much away) ;)

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Gimli to Boromir?

[Evisse the Blue]

Correct! :)

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Okay. How about?

Great as your affairs may seem to you, they are only a small strand in the great web. I am concerned with many strands. But that should make my advice more weighty, not less.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

On The Quest of Erebor.

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Correct!

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Well, then.

"Late oft is better than never."

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

This is quite easy, I believe.

[Evisse the Blue]

No it isn't. A version is this is spoken by Eomer, but I assume it's not the one you had in mind since it's slightly different.

So, can we have a hint? :)

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

That indeed was the quote I had in mind. But at the time I had not my Return with me. Hence the misquoting.

The thread is yours, anyway. Really sorry.

[Evisse the Blue]

It's ok, Nil! :) Thanks.

"Some things are ill to hear when the world's in shadow."

[Guinevere]

That's Tom Bombadil to the Hobbits, if I remember rightly...

[Evisse the Blue]

You do remember rightly. :) Your turn.

[Guinevere]

Thank you, Evisse ! :)
The lives of Men are short and in them there are many ill chances.

[Evisse the Blue]

We could use a hint, I think, Guinevere! :D

[Guinevere]

It is from U.T., if that is any help to you... ;)

(btw, so you like Joe Dassin too, Evisse ? :) )

[Guinevere]

I'll make it a bit longer:"The lives of Men are short and in them there are many ill chances, even in times of peace"

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Húrin to Morwen, UT I 2.

[Guinevere]

That's it, Nil ! :) your turn...

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

My quote is not a proverb in the context of its story, but, taken outside of it, it looks wise.

Enedwaith, hier ist es:

I will speak, when I have looked and thought longer.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Anyone? Anbody at all? :(

[Evisse the Blue]

Umm, a hint maybe? :)

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

It's in the Unfinished Tales. The speaker and the spoken-to are both mortals. :cool:

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Yess, yess, we knows, precious!
UT hint did it. It's Meneldur musing on message from nassty elvsees. :mad:

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

The setting for this scene did not exist by Meneldur's time.

And I think that's another hint. ;)

[Guinevere]

Finally found it, thanks to your hint :)
it's in "The Druédain"
Aghan (the Drûg) speaking to his (human) friend Barach.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Your thread again!

[Guinevere]

Thank you! :)

Rede is oft found at the rising of the sun.

[Firefoot]

Aragorn, I think, to Théoden, maybe?

I know I saw it recently... but I can't find it now.

[Guinevere]

Sorry, wrong guess.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Aragorn, to the other Hunters?

[Guinevere]

Not Aragorn. But "to the other hunters" is right. ;)

[Firefoot]

Legolas to the other hunters, then. (It would seem that Gimli's not real big on clichés...)

Edit: Hey, I actually found it tonight. Legolas did say it, in The Riders of Rohan.

[Guinevere]

http://www.travar.de/Templates/Webprojekt/images/luxhello.gif
That's it! Well done, Firefoot! (sorry for the delay in confirming :( )

[Firefoot]

Thanks. (Nice smilie. :) )

"And yet come to naught in the end but might-have-beens"

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Gimli, to Legolas, in The Last Debate?

[Firefoot]

Yep.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

[F]rom high places it is easy to fall low.

[Guinevere]

"The upclimbing is painful, and from high places it is easy to fall low"
Sador says to Túrin concerning the striving of the Edain after the Elves.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Yours again. :)

[Guinevere]

Thank you, Nil! :) Words may open wounds.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Núneth, to Erendis.

Sorry, exact circumstances slipped my mind. :o

[Guinevere]

It was when Aldarion stayed with them, but he was restless and did not speak of the wedding. Erendis, though troubled by his behaviour, said nothing. That's when Nuneth said this (I don't know if to Erendis or to herself...)

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

[N]ot all tears are an evil.

[Firefoot]

Gandalf to the hobbits at the Grey Havens.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Your turn. :smokin:

[Firefoot]

Thanks.

"Often it is seen that in dangerous days men hide their chief treasure."

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

On why he hasn't seen her before in Rivendell.

[Firefoot]

Of course. :cool:

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Mind your P's and Q's . . .

[Firefoot]

Sam to himself?

[Guinevere]

No, wasn't that Merry's counsel to the other Hobbits before they went to join the company in the Prancing Pony ? (He himself went for a walk..)

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Take the thread. :)

[Guinevere]

Thanks, Nil :)

Other shall the wanderer return than as he set forth.

[Firefoot]

Voronwë to Elemmakil.

[Guinevere]

Indeed, that's him. :)

[Firefoot]

Thanks."A thief shall reveal thieves!"

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Fëanor, to the Valar in Máhanaxar.

[Firefoot]

Yep. I was wondering if everyone had forgotten about this thread.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Our Enemy's devices oft serve us in his despite.

[Firefoot]

Éomer to Théoden et al.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Yours again. :)

[Firefoot]

Cheers. :) "Let a King first rule well his own house ere he correct others."

[Guinevere]

Meneldur to Aldarion
(I had really quite forgotten about this thread, shame on me!)

[Firefoot]

Correct. :)

[Guinevere]

:)
better mistrust undeserved than rash words

[Dimturiel]

Frodo wondering if he should tell Faramir more about his errand or not.

[Guinevere]

and welcome to the game, Dimturiel! :)

[Dimturiel]

Thanks! :)
...small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.
Good luck!

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Elrond, to Bilbo?

[Dimturiel]

Yep, go ahead. :)

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

. . . curb your pride and your greed, or you will fall at the end of whatever path you take, though your hands be full of gold.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Anyone? Anybody at all?

[Firefoot]

The guess that comes to my mind is Gandalf to Thorin, though I was unable to find it.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Do we accept her answer?

I say yes.

OK, then. Your thread, Firefoot.

Vy ze vay, it's in The Quest of Erebor, UT III 3.

[Firefoot]

Hm, I looked there too - before I looked in the Hobbit, actually. Oh well."Let bearing pay for bearing!"

[Dimturiel]

Gwindor to Turin before dying.

[Firefoot]

You bet. :)

[Dimturiel]

"When the great fall, the less must lead". Good luck!

[Firefoot]

Aragorn to the Fellowship?

[Dimturiel]

Aragorn, indeed but not to the Fellowship.

[Firefoot]

Ah, he said it to Éomer.

[Dimturiel]

So he did. Go ahead.

[Firefoot]

Cheers."So most men teach, and few men learn."

[Carnimírië]

Sador to Turin. "So most men teach, and few men learn. Let the unseen days be. Today is more than enough."

[Firefoot]

Correct. :)

[Carnimírië]

Thanks!

Oft in lies truth is hidden.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Gandalf, to the Council?

[Guinevere]

It is at the Council of Elrond, but it's Glorfindel speaking, about Saruman's statemant that the Ring was washed into the sea.

[Carnimírië]

You've got it, Guinevere. Your thread.

[Guinevere]

thank you, Carnimírië! :)
He that strikes the first blow, if he strikes it hard enough, may need to strike no more.

[Dimturiel]

Gandalf talking to Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli about Sauron.

[Guinevere]

Please proceed, Dimturiel!

[Dimturiel]

Try this: ...songs, like trees bear fruit only in their own time and their own way. Good luck!

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Treebeard, to two Hobbitses.

[Dimturiel]

Right you are, preciousssssss!

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Sorry for the delay . . .

[N]ot in all lands is it safe to hunt.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Anyone?

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

I just caught the missing word from my quote. :rolleyes:

Hopefully, someone would want to get it now.

[Hiriel]

That would be Tuor to Voronwe, I think.

"Maybe...But not in all lands is it safe to hunt, be the game never so plentiful. And hunters tarry on the road."

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Your thread. :)

[Hiriel]

Thanks.

"Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens."

[The Perky Ent]

I believe it was Gimli who said it when the fellowship was leaving Rivendell ;)

[Hiriel]

Indeed it was, Perks. Your thread.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Oy! Perky! New quote needed!

[Sleepy Ranger]

Perky Ent? Where are you? We need a new Quote.

[The Perky Ent]

"the tree grows best in the land of its sires;"


Sorry, I really forgot about this thread :D

[Firefoot]

Aragorn to Frodo.

[The Perky Ent]

You should know! You asked it around 4 pages ago :p

Your turn

[Firefoot]

Did I? Huh.

"Not all that speak the fair tongue are fair at heart."

[Hiriel]

Herm, that'd be Sador to Turin.

'Mind me not! But though it is pleasant to speak the old tongue with one that speaks it fair as in time past, the days are ill, and one must be wary. Not all that speak the fair tongue are fair at heart."

[Firefoot]

Nice work. Your go!

[Hiriel]

Thanks. Herm, here's one.

"It is best to love..."

[Firefoot]

"It is best to love first what you are fitted to love."

Merry to Pippin.

[Hiriel]

One of mine, too. :) Your thread.

[Guinevere]

It's been a while, so I guess I'm authorized to set a new quote:

Wise man trusts not to chance-meeting on the road

[Firefoot]

Faramir to Frodo.

[Guinevere]

Correct, of course.
Your turn again, Firefoot.