Ken’s Kindle Notes & Highlights

The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1), by J.R.R. Tolkien

Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.

This was my second favorite quote from The Lord of the Rings when I first read it (my favorite quote at that time was Saruman screaming "For I am Saruman the Wise, Saruman Ring-maker, Saruman of Many Colours!" -- I would quote it and then fall to the ground convulsing with laughter every time). But why should wizards be quick to anger? Shouldn't "subtle" individuals be subtle in their emotional responses as well? I would have thought that subtle wizards would be slow to anger (or at least slow to show anger), for true subtlety in scheming requires a nuanced theory of mind and great emotional intelligence. Convince me otherwise. Come, argue with me. Let's have a debate, for I am Ken the Subtle-Minded!

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11 Sep 22 · Flag

Christina Morland

I like Luis's point! Like Ken Liu, I tend to place subtlety on the opposite end of the emotional spectrum of rash anger, but perhaps what makes wizards so dangerous is that these aren't contrary force…

29 Oct 22 · Flag

Paul Bradley

The subtley is in preempting and guiding, usually through clear counsel and the encouragement and sometimes being outspoken and dominant in order to steer thought and manage the strong willed or other…

29 Oct 22 · Flag

Paul Bradley

If he were not subtle, then hobbits would not venture on quests for sheer terror, men would resolve to selfish interests and elves and dwarves would turn away from the world in their pride.

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