LotR -- Book 2 - Chapter 06 - Lothlórien

[Firefoot]

The Elves tragedy is shown most clearly in the efforts they have to make to contribute anything - even thinking like Men is an effort, because they have to adopt a mindset which is not in any way natural to them.

I think davem has hit on an important point here. Elves cannot fully understand Men, just as Men cannot fully understand Elves. Arwen says it well at Aragorn's death, I think:

"But I say to you, King of the Númenoreans [Aragorn], not til now have I understood the tale of your people and their fall. As wicked fools I scorned them, but I pity them at last. For if this is indeed, as the Eldar say, the gift of the One to Men, it is bitter to receive."

.