Being over 2000 years old may mean you have a lot of grey hair, but it also means you have a wealth of life experience and the wisdom that comes with it. In The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf’s life takes place on a different scale than the other creatures of Middle Earth, allowing him to bear witness to the changing tides of the ages.
Given everything he’s been through and the amount of knowledge he’s collected over the years, the of the Fellowship often defer to him for counsel. Always one to deliver, Gandalf never hesitates to offer tidbits of wisdom to his companions, whether he’s musing on the punctuality of wizards or reflecting on the nature of life itself. We've added a few more quotes to our list that showcase Gandalf's collective wisdom with stunning clarity.
Updated on April 23rd, 2021 by Mark Birrell: Gandalf is beyond doubt one of the wisest characters in The Lord of the Rings, if not the most wise, and it should come as no surprise that his quotes are some of the most memorable and all-around best from the movies. Wisdom comes in many forms and Gandalf embodies just about all of them at one point or another throughout the three main chapters of the story. He stands his ground against the most powerful villains in the history of fantasy fiction and holds true to an unbreakable sense of right and wrong. These quotes are not just wise within their context but can be applied to modern everyday life in many instances too.
"There is only one Lord of the Ring. Only one who can bend it to his will. And he does not share power!"
Gandalf remained rational at a time when Saruman the White had fallen victim to his own selfish ambitions. Realizing that an alliance with Mordor might spare him from a fate worse than death, Saruman became Sauron's willing puppet, while simultaneously hatching a scheme of his own.
Speculation remains as to whether Saruman would have remained subject to Sauron, or sought to destroy him with the power of the One Ring, but one thing is for certain - Saruman's partnering with the Dark Lord would have proven fruitless in the end.
"Even The Very Wise Cannot See All Ends."
Philosophers routinely debate the premise of going back in time to remove certain people who were destined to become evil dictators and mass murderers, with many arguing that the moral thing to do would be to remove them from their environment and bring them up in a more positive and constructive one.
Frodo makes a similar argument when he surmises that much of their troubles might have been avoided had Bilbo murdered Gollum so many years before. Gandalf quickly reminds him that even the wisest among us cannot see how such an event would play out, or the part that villains might play in future events. Rather than submit to conjecture, we as humans should deal with things as they are - not how we wish them to be.
"Understand, Frodo - I would use this Ring from a desire to do good, but through me... it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine!"
As a Maiar, Gandalf was gifted with powers far beyond that of a normal citizen of Middle Earth, but even he was quick to realize his own limits. The power of the One Ring was great enough to corrupt even him, just as it had corrupted many who came before.
When Gandalf acknowledged that Sauron's forces would begin seeking out the Ring from within the confines of the Shire, Frodo panicked and attempted to give it to him, which immediately triggered Gandalf's latent selfishness and dark desires. Realizing what was happening, he quickly snapped "Don't tempt me, Frodo! I dare not take it, even to keep it safe!" He would then utter the above quote to give Frodo an explanation of just how dangerous a weapon the Ring truly was.
"You must trust yourself. Trust your own strength."
As the ill-fated journey of the Fellowship of the Ring that set out from Rivendell approaches Moria, Gandalf already begins to see the fractures that will lead to its breakup.
Here, he warns Frodo of the Ring's dark influence on the group and reminds him of one of the most important lessons from the trilogy. The fate of the Ring is tied to Frodo and it will only be destroyed through him. Gandalf knows this and wisely implores Frodo to trust his own courage and resolve to see the job done, which he's eventually forced to do when Boromir inevitably betrays the Fellowship and the heroes must splinter off.
"Bilbo Baggins! Do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks! I am not trying to rob you! I'm trying to help you."
When Gandalf witnessed Bilbo Baggins disappear before his very eyes, he suspected that mischievous magic might have been at work. Realizing the potential dangers of wielding many of the world's magic rings, he attempted to persuade Bilbo to give up his, altogether.
Bilbo immediately became spiteful and aggressive, turning on his friend in a wholly uncharacteristic fashion. Realizing that there was more to this ring than met the eye, Gandalf struck fear into Bilbo to make him back down by uttering this quote in an intimidating fashion, which was enough to snap him back to reality.
"I do not ask for pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West!"
At the original secret council in Rivendell, a select few would get to see the One Ring revealed in all of its majestic, yet menacing presence. Boromir of Gondor immediately fancied the ring, giving an imioned speech as he inched ever closer to it.
Realizing that temptation was already striking at the hearts of men, Gandalf erupted from his seat with a magical presence, while quoting the One Ring's inscription in the language of Mordor, itself. It was enough to severely disturb everyone present, giving Gandalf an opportunity to utter this quote and remind everyone what the ring truly represented.
"All We Have To Do Is Decide What To Do With The Time That Is Given To Us."
Gandalf is no more sage-like than he is in his short conversation with Frodo in the Mines of Moria. This is the last time that the two will really speak before the end of the trilogy, so it's good that he imparts so much wisdom to the Ringbearer before they're separated for the rest of the journey to Mordor.
Gandalf, unlike, Saruman, keeps his humility throughout the story and this unforgettable quote shows that the wise wizard understands that even he cannot control the ultimate fate of the world. Whether they be wizards or Hobbits, the best that anyone can do is what they can when they can.
"If In Doubt, Meriadoc, Always Follow Your Nose!"
This is just good sense. In Gandalf’s case, he was using his sense of smell to find his way out of the Mines of Moria, following the scent of fresh air to the surface.
Although most probably don’t have a strong enough sense of smell to sniff their way out of a labyrinth, even mere mortals are capable of trusting in their senses and instinctive judgment.
"True courage is knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one."
Gandalf offers this observation on courage to Bilbo after giving him Sting in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, it's generally wise advice to give to anyone, not just someone at the beginning of a very dangerous quest. But it has an extra layer of importance in that particular chapter in the story.
Near the end of the movie, in the Goblin tunnels of the Misty Mountains, Bilbo has found the One Ring and can now disappear at will, giving him the opportunity to kill Gollum with Sting and escape. It would be so easy for Bilbo to do but pity stays his hand. This act of comion ultimately leads to the destruction of the Ring and the saving of all of Middle Earth, as it's Gollum who leads Frodo into Mordor and forces the Ring over the edge and back into the flames.
"Death Is Just Another Path - One That We All Must Take."
By the time that he offers these kind words to Pippin during the Battle of Minas Tirith, Gandalf has already died himself in a sense, or as much as Gandalf can die, having shed the name of Gandalf the Grey and returned as Gandalf the White.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy often views death as another great journey, either metaphorically or literally in some cases. The wisdom shown here is a simple observation on the inevitability of death but has a powerful impact thanks in no small part to the emotional performance of Ian McKellen.
