Quote of the Day

[HerenIstarion]

Following Bêthberry's excellent thread idea (Best Post of the Week), I would have it modified a bit.

In this thread, we will quote one another. Especially clever, or funny remarks and sentences belong here. It would be nice to indicate the source the quotation is taken from too, for, though out of context the phrases may seem even better, it is nice to know its origin.

Let the show begin, than

First quote of the Day is by davem:

The Balrog was making itself 'bigger' - like a cat raising its hackles...

From Do Balrogs Have Wings? by Fordim.

There is no requirement to take new quotes only. I have some nominees in mind I have to dig up the threads to find their quotes from days of yore yet.

Cheers

[Lindolirian]

I nominate The Saucepan Man's

But then again, as Tolkien himself once again illustrates on many occasions, it is sometimes appropriate to have incredibly lengthy sentences, sentences which are perhaps heavy with descriptive words, or those where complex and related ideas are best grouped together, or even where that is the manner in which a particular character speaks - and so the length of his sentences enhance the credibility of his dialogue; and in such cases I see no reason not to indulge oneself in a nice lengthy sentence.

from (Plot+Characters)*Voice^2=Literature?

[HerenIstarion]

Originally Posted by Fordim Hedgethistle

It rose up before them, a vast shape, wingless and unable to do anything but run at them with a speed that might metaphorically be described as flight. Legolas, his golden yellow hair streaming about his pointy-ears, cried out, ‘Ai ai! A balrog has come!'

from
Wings & ears: Why bother?

[Sapphire_Flame]

From the new "Hitchhiker's Guide to Middle-earth" thread, as posted by The Saucepan Man:

Originally Posted by SpM

Balrogs: Mostly flightless

*dies*

Found here: The Hitchhiker's Guide to Middle-earth

~ Saphy ~

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I quite second Mostly Flightless. Very nice. But I'd also like to throw in Fordim Hedgethistle's

That's no dog. He's my very own warg.

(But don't tell SaucepanMan -- he'd be SOOO disappointed. . .)

as stated in Best Avatars about his pug.

[Encaitare]

Same thread, same SaucepanMan, different quote:

Gimli: A short stocky fellow with an axe who inadvertently discovered the Meaning of Life at Helm's Deep.

Confound this ten-people-between-reps rule....

[HerenIstarion]

Originally Posted by burrahobbit

yes

From Nasty Millers

[Evisse the Blue]

Originally Posted by Fordim Hedgethistle

It rose up before them, a vast shape, wingless and unable to do anything but run at them with a speed that might metaphorically be described as flight. Legolas, his golden yellow hair streaming about his pointy-ears, cried out, ‘Ai ai! A balrog has come!

I second this nomination. Way to express the controversies endlessly debated by Tolkien freaks in one hilarious, epic phrase. Earns a wide grin from most Downers, I'd expect.

[Lindolirian]

Originally Posted by SpM

It is a little know fact that, unbeknownst to Bilbo, four of Thorin's company were in fact female.

This seems to be becoming the Saucie and Fordie Appreciation thread...

[HerenIstarion]

To turn it in to a points grubbing exercise devalues the whole thing. The thoughtful comment of someone whose rep carries no points is not valueless

By Mithalwen. Originally posted in Reputations

[HerenIstarion]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

...we really don't need to diss other writers in order to hold up Tolkien to great praise. He can stand on his own feet.

From What Awards Has Tolkien Won by gorthaur_cruel

[HerenIstarion]

Today, we have to split the prize for two (first two from Do Balrogs Have Wings, last, but not the least, from It Was A Day)

Originally Posted by narfforc

and its two vast wings reached out like shadows

and

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

Or perhaps there are hosts of "Demons of Torment" and a seven powerful "Demons of Might"?

and

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Oh what a terrible choice Nilp - between scary, control freak husband, terminally grumpy, grouchy and prone to crucial procrastination husband, or deeply dippy, talks to the birdies husband .... all with ghastly beards ....

cheers

[HerenIstarion]

From Dumbing It Down by Beleg Cuthalion, post #113

Originally Posted by Mister Underhill

I like a mentality that buys a book because of its success and popularity, then decides that it won't be accessible unless lots of changes are made.

[Mithalwen]

http://www.ninecompanions.net/galler.../ttt_sam_4.jpg


In a brief moment, Sam contemplates on the possibility that The Saucepan Man used to be a resident of his backpack. ( Lhunadawen)

[HerenIstarion]

From The Annoying Hobbit by Ruoutorin, post #4

Originally Posted by Child of 7th Age

Child defends The Hobbit

It is graciously taking in the screenname of the author of the post, and hinting, at the same time, on what is to follow. And what is to follow, is, forgive a tautology, as follows:

Originally Posted by Child of the 7th Age

The Hobbit has a curious mixture of elements typical of a children's book mixed in with other themes and symbols that are much more adult.

My compliments for that delicious double play of words, my lady

[Lhunardawen]

Mithalwen, whatever happened to the idea that this is a SpM (and Fordim) Appreciation thread???

Anyways...

Originally Posted by Helen

If my time is limited, then I should spend it aright, doing my duty, doing that which is good.

From The Death of Crystal Heart

[HerenIstarion]

Why not:

Originally Posted by mark 12_30 (Helen)

Death is not so far off as we would all like to think

of the same thread (post#32) also? I believe the whole post is worthy of nomination to Best Post of the Week, so I will now proceed to nominate it there

cheers

[TPotSS]

This made me laugh a lot-

I had a general lack of respect for teens when I was a teen. Now that I'm older, I have extended this general feeling of disdain to the entire population. Some of us are just crabby, pessimistic people.

It was from lord of dor-lomin on the Dumbing it down thread.

[HerenIstarion]

From Inktomi Slurp Spider thread:

Originally Posted by The Barrow-Wight

Don't open Spider accounts, or I'll put an electronic Phial of Galadriel up your IP

Now that is a mighty word of command, one would consider unwise to break unless one had a floating IP (deceits of the Enemy, such an IP would seem, than )

[HerenIstarion]

From The Single Greatest (Publishing) Tragedy in Tolkien's Life by littlemanpoet

Originally Posted by mark 12:30

What serious gardener maintains a careful separation between soil and plants?

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

...sometimes peat is needed in some places where it isn't in others...

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

What serious gardener can't distinguish one from the other?

Originally Posted by HerenIstarion

Bonsai are trees nevertheless...

As dark and as pointed an exchange as I have encountered in a while. Availing yourself of Canonicity for your bed-time reading probably will help you to enjoy the bouquet - same old thing, but terse this time

[Amanaduial the archer]

"Now, good captain, when do we leave? I am hungry for the blood of the beautiful."

This was made by Aylwen Dreamsong and is from a rather older post and, as you may have guessed, it is from an RPG, namely Bloodstained Elanor, a game from about this time last year. This game is one of my favourites: the writing standard was spectacular throughout, I think, as were the characters. But from all the RPGs you play, a few lines stick in your mind, and this one always has. It just takes such an unusual, bittersweet perspective on the elves. Ehan, Aylwen's character in 'Bloodstained Elanor' came out with some marvellous lines, but this one particularly has always stuck with me.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

tar-ancalime has my vote, because even though it wasn't written today, I found it today:

Perhaps this is the hidden meaning of the Bombadil/Old Forest chapters--the necessity of digression.

Fea

[HerenIstarion]

It's inexplicable why did not I read the Psychological depth in Tolkien's characters at the time of its occurrence, but here I am, reading it for the first time and enjoying it to an extent I've temporarily run out of repute to spread around. It was a hard choice to choose between runner-ups up to post #32 I'm currently at, but Lush surely snatches the prize for the common sense, slight irony, sagacity and, I daresay, even audacity displayed all in one phrase, which I now proudly present:

I didn't pick up the LotR expecting to find some fascinating Freudian parallel contained within Aragorn's relationship with his sword

[Bêthberry]

That entire post by Lush is, I think, deserving of Post of the Week, HerenIstarion, except it was posted so long ago.

That thread is that old? Seems like...

[The Only Real Estel]

Although it's been awhile I think that this bit from Fordim sums up the Tol-In-Gaurhoth games quite well:

It is rather entertaining -- not to mention dangerously addictive. As the deadline was approaching this morning, I was hunkered in my office, ignoring the knock at my door, and calling out that I would get to my next appointment "in a few minutes..."

The game is suspenseful and addicting no matter if you're playing in it or not.

[HerenIstarion]

burrahobbit, from the Treason of Isengard: Eru's plan? thread, post #4

Nobody is under Eru's "command," but they all do what He "wants."

[Lhunardawen]

Too bad some villagers had a lapse in judgment (haha...wait. Only Filipinos or those who monitor the political situation here in the Philippines - like anybody would - will understand that.), but I'd like to nominate this word of wisdom from the late great Eomer of the Rohirrim in Werewolf VI:

Remember that it's very easy to see another person as a wolf once you get the idea into your head. Take a step back and look at what you're doing.

Works not only in the game, but in real life, too!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

This quote, in this post by yavanna II on the "Stolen Dumbledore" thread amused me - it touches upon the issues of borrowed ideas:

quidditch? It's just soccer on brooms

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Another quote from Stolen Dumbledore only this time, by Lyta_Underhill.

I wonder if one could say "Expecto Patronum" and conjure up Gildor Inglorion

[HerenIstarion]

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh with nice rounded summation of much discussed 'C' issue:

Originally Posted by The Squatter of Amon Rûdh

Perhaps what is required in the issue of 'canonicity' is the exercise of our own judgement and common sense. No quotation from Tolkien will ever supply that, and nor will our freedom of interpretation. Somewhere between the two is a medium in which both are important, which is pleasingly similar to the position of the text. It stands poised between the author and the reader, so clearly something is required from both in order for the circuit to be completed. I simply do not understand why one should have to be the master, as though one were to ask whether the ability to speak or the ability to understand were more important in conversation

Canonicity thread, post #504

[Lhunardawen]

I received this comment in a rep for this post:

Even reading can be a contribution - in the same way as an audience contributes to a play or concert.

[The Only Real Estel]

I can't resist another Werewolf quote, this one from The Barrow-Wight in the very first Tol-In-Gaurhoth related post ever :

Werewolf is a game of accusation, deduction, lying, reverse psychology and bandwagoning. Moreover, it's a lot of fun.

Pretty much sums up the entire game in two short sentences.

[Morsul the Dark]

Originally Posted by burrahobbit

Melkor gets his head cut off. You only get grace if you deserve it.

that quote is a winner

[HerenIstarion]

From Original elves still left

Originally Posted by the guy who be short

"And they shall breed like rabbits..."

[Amanaduial the archer]

From Which character are you most like?...

I'm an Eowyn. I like to brood and ogle scruffy 80 year old men.

Truly the deeper meaning of Tolkien. Durelin, my dear, I'm getting quite worried about you...

[Encaitare]

Mark/Helen to davem in post 19 of Canon: what ARE we babbling about?

Meet you behind the hedge! Zounds! Avast!! Where'd that gauntlet go?? Fordie?? Fordie!! Gauntlet-THIEF! ... I am without a gauntlet.

There are many more scholarly points in the thread that are worth quoting, but this one made me start laughing madly.

[HerenIstarion]

Now it's davem with his post #36

Originally Posted by davem

Elves do not sing 'Tra-la-la-lally'. If Bilbo Baggins says they did I'd like to know what kind of pipe-weed he was smoking.

Master davem holds the line alone against many, and though yours truly is one of the many assailing his dug-out, I can't help but admire his passion and pertinacity of his defense. Praise him with great praise

PS
Others things elves do not:

1. Elves do not bang their heads against walls and shout 'bad [name of particular elf], bad [name of particular elf].
2. Elves do not wear pillowcases
3. Elves do not look like Russian President Mr. Putin
4. Ah, almost forgot - elves do not kidnap former clowns, now kings named Verence


PPS
Post Scriptum being an aside 'for humour's sake', nothing more

[Amanaduial the archer]

4. Ah, almost forgot - elves do not kidnap former clowns, now kings named Verence

Jesters, jesters...

Look like President Putin?!

[The Perky Ent]

Originally Posted by HerenIstarion

I

the quote says it all

[Encaitare]

Originally Posted by Fordim Hedgethistle

The Ring is much more like a Platypus: something that just should not and could not really be, and yet, strangely, is...

From this post in Belling the Ring.