“Hobbits are an unobtrusive but very ancient people, more numerous formerly than they are today; for they love peace and quiet and good tilled earth: a well-ordered and well-farmed countryside was their favourite haunt.”
- January 3, 1892 – September 2, 1973
- Born in the Orange Free State (British)
- Author, linguist
- Wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and built the foundations of modern fantasy literature
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Quote
“Hobbits are an unobtrusive but very ancient people, more numerous formerly than they are today; for they love peace and quiet and good tilled earth: a well-ordered and well-farmed countryside was their favourite haunt.”
Explanation
This description of Hobbits captures the essence of their character in Tolkien’s Middle-earth. The phrase “unobtrusive but very ancient people” reflects their humble, quiet nature, and their long-standing presence in the world. Hobbits are not individuals who seek the limelight or draw attention to themselves, but they have an ancient history that stretches back through the ages. The idea that they were “more numerous formerly” underscores the passing of time and the shifting nature of societies, as the Hobbits’ once widespread numbers have dwindled over the centuries. This also highlights the rural and peaceful lifestyle that characterizes Hobbits, who find contentment in their connection to the land and in the simplicity of life.
Tolkien imbued the Hobbits with a love for the “good tilled earth”, a symbol of their dedication to agriculture, self-sufficiency, and the simple pleasures of life—values that Tolkien himself held dear. The Hobbits’ world is a place of order, peace, and community. They cultivate the land around them with care, and their ideal world is one where the countryside is well-farmed and well-organized, free from the disruptions of larger, more aggressive societies. This love for a well-ordered life also suggests the conservatism and tradition that permeates Hobbit culture, where stability and a sense of continuity are valued above all.
In a modern context, this quote can serve as a reflection on simplicity and connection to the land in today’s fast-paced world. The Hobbits’ love for peace and rural life is a kind of nostalgia for a time when life was slower, more deliberate, and more in tune with the natural rhythms of the earth. In a time where urbanization and technological progress can often create a sense of disconnection from nature, the quote offers a reminder of the value of a quiet life—one grounded in community, work, and the simple joys that come from being in harmony with the world around us. It also speaks to the modern longing for balance, where the fast pace of contemporary life can sometimes leave us yearning for the peaceful rhythms of a simpler, more ordered existence.
