Middle Earth Wisdom: Quotes from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit

Gandalf
Some believe that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I've found. I found it is the small things. Every day deeds by ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide.  All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

Courage will now be your best defense against the storm that is at hand.

I will not say "Do not weep", for not all tears are an evil.

True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.

Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.

Only a small part is played in great deeds by any hero.

A treacherous weapon is ever a danger to the hand.

It is wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope.

The wise speak only of what they know.

To crooked eyes truth may wear a wry face.

Often does hatred hurt itself!

The burned hand teaches best. After that advice about fire goes to the heart.

It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule.

Elrond
Such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.

Gimli
Sworn word may strengthen quaking heart.

(With Elrond) "Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," said Gimli.
"Maybe," said Elrond, "but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall."

Galadriel
Do not trouble your hearts overmuch with thought of the road tonight. Maybe the paths that you each shall tread are already laid before your feet, though you do not see them.

Legolas
Thus is it spoken: Oft hope is born, when all is forlorn.

Follow what may, great deeds are not lessened in worth.

Treebeard
Things will go as they will; and there is no need to hurry to meet them.

Aragorn

Good and ill have not change since yesteryear; nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men. It is a man's part to discern them, as much in the Golden Wood as in his own house.

The hasty stroke goes oft astray.

Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.

His grief he will not forget; bit it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.

There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark.

Boromir
None of us should wander alone, you least of all. Frodo? I know you suffer, I see it day by day. Are you sure you do not suffer needlessly? There are other ways, Frodo, other paths we might take.

Faramir
War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.

The praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards.

Frodo
Better mistrust undeserved than rash words.

It is useless to meet revenge with revenge: it will heal nothing.

It must often be so, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them.

Eowyn
Where will wants not, a way opens.

It is not always good to be healed in body. Nor is it always evil to die in battle, even in bitter pain.

From an ancient prophecy translated by Bilbo:
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.