"The elves are not good or evil. They are simply elves."

"The hobbits are, in fact, a self-portrait, if I may say so, not of what I am, but of what I should like to be."

"I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history, true or feigned, with its consistent int…"

"I have a hatred of democracy, and a contempt for it."

"I am in fact a Hobbit (in all but size)."