Ever had that frustrating moment when you didn’t know what to say?

You’re engaged in a lively debate and someone makes a point, and you can’t find the words to counter.

You’re in a situation that’s begging for a witty remark and your mind goes blank.

Terrible, isn’t it?

Fear not, faithful citizen. I have a perfect cure for your tongue-tied problems. And what better cure than turning to Lord of the Rings?

That’s right. Twenty Lord of the Rings quotes suitable for that moment when you desperately need something to say, whether clever, profound, or straightforward.

1. “It is useless to meet revenge with revenge: it will heal nothing.” – Frodo

2. “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” – Gandalf

3. “I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the Ages of this world alone.” – Arwen

4. “May your beer be laid under an enchantment of surpassing excellence for seven years!” – Gandalf

5. “Farewell, and may the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces!” – Elrond

6. “Not the beard!” – Gimli

7. “You offer it to me freely? I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this.” – Galadriel

8. “No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take.” – Gandalf

9. “Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me.” – Éowyn

10. “I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.” – Bilbo

11. “You will soon be well, if I do not talk you to death.” – Gandalf

12. “Short cuts make long delays.” – Pippin

13. “I am nearly twenty-nine, so I pass you there; though I am but four feet, and not likely to grow any more, save sideways.” – Merry

14. “Let us remember that a traitor may betray himself and do good that he does not intend.” – Gandalf

15. “You have shown your usual cunning in getting up just in time for a meal.” – Pippin

16. “Faithful heart may have froward tongue.” – Théoden

17. “It is precious to me, though I buy it with great pain.” – Isildur

18. “I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox.” – Gimli

19. “It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish.” – Sam

20. “I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.” – Gandalf

I like to imagine using #7 when someone offers me a boatload of books, or maybe #17 if I have to buy the books myself.

Can you think of any situations where you could use one of these quotes? What are your favorite Lord of the Rings quotes?

*This post originally appeared in April, 2015, on zacharytotah.com