Before Frodo and Sam, Pippin and Merry, there was Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Company of Thorin Oakenshield. The events of The Hobbit laid the foundation for The Lord of the Rings, and Bilbo's theft of the One Ring from Gollum is what kickstarts Hobbit involvement in the final war against Sauron. The Hobbit trilogy greatly expands on the original book, featuring details from the appendices to the LOTR series.
While not as famous as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit has been loved by fans for many years. The quest to the Lonely Mountain is full of excitement, close calls, and heartfelt moments between characters. It also delivers some spectacular quotes: here are ten of the best.
10 "Loyalty, Honor, A Willing Heart; I Can Ask No More Than That"
All good quests need planning, and much to Bilbo’s annoyance, the company of twelve Dwarves use his kitchen table for that very purpose.
When Bilbo asks where the rest of the Dwarves are, Thorin informs him that this is all there is. The rest will not come. Yet Thorin shows his honour and appreciation with this line, appreciating the ones who came when he called, rather than wishing for the ones who didn’t.
9 "I Have No Right To Ask This Of Any Of You, But Will You Follow Me One Last Time?"
Thorin delivers this heartfelt line after recovering from dragon sickness during The Battle of the Five Armies. He knows he has no right to ask for the Company to follow him into battle.
Despite his failings, the Dwarves willingly follow him into battle against a terrible foe. This really showcases Dwarvish loyalty, a character trait that was much emphasized during the trilogy. This was not always positive, however, as they broke their sworn word to the people of Laketown.
8 "Never Ceases To Amaze Me, The Courage Of Hobbits"
No one believed a Hobbit could survive the harsh realities of the world outside the Shire, yet time and again, Bilbo proves his value as a member of the Company of Thorin Oakenshield.
It’s always nice to receive some recognition for your part in escaping death and dangers, and Balin does just that. It just goes to show, there is always more to Hobbits, and people in general, than meets the eye.
7 "I’m Not A Warrior; I’m A Hobbit"
Just before the Battle of the Five Armies, Bilbo receives a vest of Mithril from Thorin. At first, Bilbo is reluctant to accept the gift, declaring that he looks “absurd” and is not a warrior. Despite all that he has overcome since leaving the Shire, dragons, trolls, and mountain giants, Bilbo still does not realize the measure of his own strength.
This is true of all the Hobbits on their quests across both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings franchises. It ties into a central theme of Tolkien’s, the strength and courage of folk that most, and indeed themselves, do not consider to have any great importance.
6 "I Am Fire!... I Am Death!"
Benedict Cumberbatch excelled in his role as the voice of Smaug, chiefest and greatest calamity of the age. Yet this line was definitely the highlight.
Closing out The Desolation of Smaug, Smaug delivers this bone-tingling line as he descends upon Laketown to deliver destruction and slaughter to its unsuspecting inhabitants. What a way to end a film and an excellent way to build tension for the final film in the trilogy.
5 "I'm Going On An Adventure!"
The first step is always the hardest, whether that be going to the gym, or setting out on a quest to steal from a dragon hoard. It takes a lot of courage for Bilbo to leave the Shire and all he’s ever known to go on a dangerous quest with a bunch of strange dwarves.
Having woken up the morning after the meeting of the Company of Thorin Oakenshield and finding all the dwarves and Gandalf gone, relief swiftly turns into regret, which drives him out the door. Everyone watching heard the glee in Bilbo’s voice and stirred a part of the mind that longs for adventure.
4 True Courage Is Not Knowing How To Take A Life, But When To Spare It.
Gandalf again showcases his boundless wisdom. When Bilbo first gains his sword Sting from the Troll Hoard, Gandalf warns him of the power he now wields over life and death. It is easy to kill in fear, but it takes strength to spare someone's life and place your trust in them.
This quote is key in the unfolding of the rest of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogies, as Bilbo will spare Gollum’s life in the Goblin Tunnels, and Gollum in turn will lead Frodo and Sam into Mordor, aiding in the destruction of the One Ring.
3 "The World Is Not In Your Books And Maps. It Is Out There."
Although this quote is not from the original book, it still conveys the essence of the book. Gandalf urges Bilbo to see the world through his own eyes, not through the eyes of others: through their stories and memories.
It is Bilbo’s journey to the Lonely Mountain that inspires him to write his own book, There and Back Again. Gandalf is also indirectly speaking to all those watching, urging viewers to come out from behind books and screens and take in the magnificent beauty of the world.
2 "If More People Valued Home Above Gold, This World Would Be A Merrier Place."
Thorin Oakenshield was full of wisdom when he was not tainted by sickness. This quote is where Tolkien’s hand can be seen clearest. While the quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain became a quest for gold and the Arkenstone, it originally began as a quest to reclaim the dwarves’ homeland.
When Bilbo came on this adventure, it was always with a mind to return home, untempted by the vast hordes of Erebor. Thorin says this line to Bilbo as he lays dying, in recognition that out of all of them, Bilbo stayed true to the true meaning of the quest, and things might have gone differently if he had as well.
1 "It Is The Small Things, Everyday Deeds of Ordinary Folk That Keeps The Darkness At Bay. Simple Acts Of Love And Kindness."
This is easily one of the most inspiring quotes from The Hobbit franchise. It addresses one of the main themes of Tolkien’s writings, that it is not great power that is needed to defeat evil, as power can be corrupted, case and point, Saruman.
Instead, it comes from the everyday kindness of ordinary people, who some may not think much of. It is a beautiful reminder that all of us together have the power to change the world.