Top Ten wisest in Middle-Earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Eönwë · 09-01-2008, 12:49 PM

Not including the Ainu (of whom many had been to ME at some point or the other), who do you think were ten wisest beings that ever lived in Middle-Earth?

Andsigil · 09-01-2008, 04:43 PM

I'd say no list would be complete without Elrond, Cirdan, and Galadriel. Both Cirdan and Galadriel were two of the longest-living beings in all of ME. Elrond was of middling years for an elf, but he seemed to have a natural gift of wisdom.

That's not to say that long life is a guarantor of wisdom, by the way. For example, Treebeard had no sense of urgency, and someone wiser would have seen the existential threat to ME during the War of the Ring. And Tom Bombadil was... well, he's just Tom Bombadil. He thinks on a somewhat different level which is hard to describe.

Gandalf should also be on any such list. He was an Istari/Maiar and was the only one wise enough to hold true to his purpose without corruption or distraction.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 09-16-2008, 10:14 AM

Not including Ainur, eh? I have no books with me, so this is purely from memory (which isn't great as I haven't read the books for a couple of years now).

1. Elrond
2. Galadriel
3. Celeborn
4. Cirdan
5. Finrod
6. Maedhros
7. Feanor
8. Ingwe
9. Finwe
10. Luthien

In no order.

Lalaith · 09-16-2008, 12:50 PM

Galadriel and Cirdan were both wiser than Elrond.
Cirdan gave the ring to Gandalf, showing a. discretion (chosing him over Saruman, who was the eldest of the Order) and b. modesty (it was *his* ring, but he felt Gandalf could use it better.
Galadriel, through her Mirror, showed insight and wisdom. She backed Gandalf, too.
Elrond, meanwhile, didn't want Merry and Pippin to join the Fellowship.

Melian was extremely wise. Ingwe was circumspect - you can call that wise I suppose. Finrod, yes, definitely. Maedhros, yes, eventually. The Union was pretty wise.
Celeborn was wise in that he listened to Galadriel.

And Tom B and Goldberry should be there too I expect.

Tuor in Gondolin · 09-16-2008, 01:49 PM

I think we're forgetting Farmer Maggot!

(For character references see Gandalf and Bombadil).

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 09-16-2008, 04:24 PM

But Melian is not allowed.

Bombadil and Goldberry I suppose could be argued, but (and it had to come sooner rather than later) we should first clarify our terms: what is wisdom?

09-01-2008, 12:49 PM	#1
Eönwë Flame Imperishable Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Right here Posts: 3,928	Top Ten wisest in Middle-Earth Not including the Ainu (of whom many had been to ME at some point or the other), who do you think were ten wisest beings that ever lived in Middle-Earth? __________________ Welcome to the Barrow Do-owns Forum / Such a lovely place

09-01-2008, 04:43 PM	#2
Andsigil Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Deepest Forges of Ered Luin Posts: 733	I'd say no list would be complete without Elrond, Cirdan, and Galadriel. Both Cirdan and Galadriel were two of the longest-living beings in all of ME. Elrond was of middling years for an elf, but he seemed to have a natural gift of wisdom. That's not to say that long life is a guarantor of wisdom, by the way. For example, Treebeard had no sense of urgency, and someone wiser would have seen the existential threat to ME during the War of the Ring. And Tom Bombadil was... well, he's just Tom Bombadil. He thinks on a somewhat different level which is hard to describe. Gandalf should also be on any such list. He was an Istari/Maiar and was the only one wise enough to hold true to his purpose without corruption or distraction. __________________ Even as fog continues to lie in the valleys, so does ancient sin cling to the low places, the depression in the world consciousness.

09-16-2008, 10:14 AM	#3
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	Not including Ainur, eh? I have no books with me, so this is purely from memory (which isn't great as I haven't read the books for a couple of years now). 1. Elrond 2. Galadriel 3. Celeborn 4. Cirdan 5. Finrod 6. Maedhros 7. Feanor 8. Ingwe 9. Finwe 10. Luthien In no order. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

09-16-2008, 12:50 PM	#4
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Galadriel and Cirdan were both wiser than Elrond. Cirdan gave the ring to Gandalf, showing a. discretion (chosing him over Saruman, who was the eldest of the Order) and b. modesty (it was his ring, but he felt Gandalf could use it better. Galadriel, through her Mirror, showed insight and wisdom. She backed Gandalf, too. Elrond, meanwhile, didn't want Merry and Pippin to join the Fellowship. Melian was extremely wise. Ingwe was circumspect - you can call that wise I suppose. Finrod, yes, definitely. Maedhros, yes, eventually. The Union was pretty wise. Celeborn was wise in that he listened to Galadriel. And Tom B and Goldberry should be there too I expect. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

09-16-2008, 01:49 PM	#5
Tuor in Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,651	I think we're forgetting Farmer Maggot! (For character references see Gandalf and Bombadil). __________________ The poster formerly known as Tuor of Gondolin. Walking To Rivendell and beyond 12,555 miles passed Nt./Day 5: Pass the beacon on Nardol, the 'Fire Hill.'

09-16-2008, 04:24 PM	#6
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	But Melian is not allowed. Bombadil and Goldberry I suppose could be argued, but (and it had to come sooner rather than later) we should first clarify our terms: what is wisdom? __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond