Much evil must befall a country before it wholly forgets the Elves, if once they dwelt there.
Interpretation
A country cannot easily forget its positive past, symbolized by the Elves, even in the face of great evil.
J. R. R. Tolkien suggests that the presence of beauty and goodness, represented by the Elves, leaves an indelible mark on a country. Even amidst hardship and evil, the memory of past goodness can linger, influencing a society's identity and values.
In practice
In a speech about cultural heritage, one might say, 'Much evil must befall a country before it wholly forgets the Elves, reminding us to cherish our positive traditions.'
All the same, I should like it all plain and clear," said he obstinately, putting on his business manner (usually reserved for people who tried to borrow money off him), and doing his best to appear wise and prudent and professional and live up to Gandalf's recommendation. "Also I should like to know about risks, out-of-pocket expenses, time required and remuneration, and so forth"--by which he meant: "What am I going to get out of it ? and am I going to come back alive?
Go not to the Elves for counsel,_x000D_ for they will say both no and yes._x000D_ Elves seldom give unguarded advice,_x000D_ for advice is a dangerous gift,_x000D_ even from the wise to the wise,_x000D_ and all courses may run ill.
What did I tell you, Mr. Pippin?' said Sam, sheathing his sword. 'Wolves won't get him. That was an eye-opener, and no mistake! Nearly singed the hair off my head!
Under the Mountain dark and tall The King has come unto his hall! His foe is dead, the Worm of Dread, And ever so his foes shall fall. The sword is sharp, the spear is long, The arrow swift, the Gate is strong; The heart is bold that looks on gold; The dwarves no more shall suffer wrong. The dwarves of yore made mighty spells, While hammers fells like ringing bells In places deep, where dark things sleep, In hollow halls beneath the fells. -from The Hobbit (Dwarves Battle Song)
The chief purpose of life, for any of us, is to increase according to our capacity our knowledge of God by all means we have, and to be moved by it to praise and thanks.
Alive without breath, As cold as death; Never thirsty, ever drinking, All in mail never clinking.
What is human warfare but just this; an effort to make the laws of God and nature take sides with one party.
We are slow to believe that which if believed would hurt our feelings.
Eviction is much more an inevitability than a result of irresponsibility.
The world we live in is vastly different from the world we think we live in.
You call for faith: I show you doubt, to prove that faith exists. The more of doubt, the stronger faith, I say, If faith o'ercomes doubt.
If smallness was fortune, then I had come across a treasure, infinitesimal and beyond value. I felt lucky. You had to decide what was estimable and precious in your life and set out to find it. The objects you valued defined you.
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