" He was not stupid. It was sheer thoughtlessness. That such remoteness from reality and such thoughtlessness can wreak more havoc than all the evil instincts taken together which, perhaps, are inherent in man - that was, in fact, the lesson one could learn in Jerusalem. But it was a lesson, neither an explanation of the phenomenon nor a theory about it.
I don't believe that there may exist some process of thought lacking of personal experience. All thought is meditation (Nachdenken), thinking as a result of something.
"If you aren't able to tell between a Man and a Hobbit, you have a worse judgement than what I thought. There's the same difference between an apple and a pea."
"That may be so. To a sheep all the other sheep look different without a doubt", said Lindir laughing. "And to the shepherd. But mortals have never been an object of study. [...]".
Had he been in my place, and I in his, though I hated him with a hatred that turned my life to gall, I never would raise a hand against him. I never would have banished him from her society as long as she desired his. The moment her regard ceased, I would have torn his heart out and drank his blood! But till then, if you don't believe me, you don't know me - till then, I would have died by by inches I touched a single hair on his head!
"You must never be ashamed. Accept all that life gives you and make an effort to drink from the cups it presents you. You must taste all the wines: of some, only a few sips; of others, the whole bottle.""How can I recognize them?""From the flavour. Only who tasted bad wine can identify the good one."
He was wrong, and he knew he had to pay the price. And the price was drinking a cup full of the cruelest of poisons: solitude.
He always remained close to me, he gave me the better of himself, and I wish to be close to him 'til the end of my days. But my heart's currents are a mistery, and I'll never understand what happened. Of course, I know that that meeting increased faith in myself, showing me that I was still capable of loving and of being loved, and revealing me a teaching that I'll never forget through life, when you find yourself in front of something important it doesn't mean you must give up all other things.
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.
1) Always consider the fact that a great love and great results entail great risk.
2) When you lose, don't lose the lesson...
3) Always follow the 3 "rs": Respect for youself, Respect for others, Responsability for your actions.
4) Remember that not getting what one wants can be a wonderful strike of luck.
5) Learn the rules, so that you may break them appropriately.
6) Don't let a small disagreement damage a great friendship.
7) When you realize you've made a mistake, do immediately something to correct it.
8) Spend some time alone every day.
9) Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10) Remeber that sometimes silence is the best answer.
11) Live a good, honourable life, so that, when you'll look back in old age, you may enjoy once again.
12) A loving atmosphere in your home must be the foundation to your life.
13) When you find yourself on disagreement with people dear to you, face only the actual problem, without throwing in the past.
14) Share your knowledge. It's a way of reaching immortality.
15) Be kind with the earth.
16) At least once a year, go somewhere you've never been before.
17) Remeber that the best relationship is that in which you love someone more than what you need them.
18) Judge your success in relation to what you had to renounce to achieve it.
No reasoning will help you to overcome the obstacles you've created yourself, you need action. If you continue sitting on the pool-side, dissecting the water temperature, you'll never manage to swim. Look for a springboard, close your eyes and jump. Should you belly-flop don't blame the water or yourself... you've just learnt how to not drown!