I have in this War a burning private grudge — which would probably make me a better soldier at 49 than I was at 22: against that ruddy little ignoramus Adolf Hitler (for the odd thing about demonic inspiration and impetus is that it in no way enhances the purely intellectual stature: it chiefly affects the mere will). Ruining, perverting, misapplying, and making for ever accursed, that noble northern spirit, a supreme contribution to Europe, which I have ever loved, and tried to present in its true light.


No. 45: To his son Michael Tolkien (09 June, 1941) - The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien (1981)

J. R. R. Tolkien Quotes

I have in this War a burning private grudge — which would probably make me a better soldier at 49 than I was at 22: against that ruddy little...

I have in this War a burning private grudge — which would probably make me a better soldier at 49 than I was at 22: against that ruddy little...

I have in this War a burning private grudge — which would probably make me a better soldier at 49 than I was at 22: against that ruddy little...

I have in this War a burning private grudge — which would probably make me a better soldier at 49 than I was at 22: against that ruddy little...