Though they were much relieved, they were inclined to be grumpy at being frightened for nothing.

J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

My armour is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws spears, the shock of my tail a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane, and my breath death!

Smaug, The Hobbit

Somehow the killing of the giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark without the help of the wizard or the dwarves or of anyone else, made a great difference to Mr. Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach, as he wiped his sword on the grass and put it back into its sheath.

J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

The next day he had almost forgotten about Gandalf. He did not remember things very well, unless he put them down on his Engagement Tablet: like this: Gandalf Tea Wednesday. Yesterday he had been too flustered to do anything of the kind.

J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Trolls are slow in the uptake, and mighty suspicious about anything new to them.

J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

He took to writing poetry and visiting the elves; and though many shook their heads and touched their foreheads and said “Poor old Baggins!” and though few believed any of his tales, he remained very happy to the end of his days, and those were extraordinarily long.

J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Farewell, good thief, I go now to the halls of waiting to sit beside my fathers, until the world is renewed. Since I leave now all gold and silver, and go where it is of little worth, I wish to part in friendship from you, and I would take back my words and deeds at the Gate.

Thorin Oakenshield, The Hobbit

Victory after all, I suppose! Well, it seems a very gloomy business.

Bilbo Baggins, The Hobbit

Mutton yesterday, mutton today, and blimey, if it don’t look like mutton again tomorrer.

Troll, The Hobbit

“I should like to know about risks, out-of-pocket expenses, time required and remuneration, and so forth” – by which he meant: “What am I going to get out of it? and am I going to come back alive?”

J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit