Don’t Let the Lack of Glitter Fool You: Uncovering True Value Beyond the Shine

Posted in Leadership by Dr. Byron L. Ernest on January 30, 2026

Yesterday in some reading I was doing I was reminded of a poem written by Bilbo Baggins about Aragorn. Here is the poem, known as the “Riddle of Strider”:

“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken: The crownless again shall be king.”

The lines are from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and are part of a poem about Aragorn, the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor. Bilbo, speaking in The Fellowship of the Ring, echoed the words again to express hope and encouragement.

This poem has a great deal of meaning in Tolkien’s works and I believe provides tremendous lessons for us as leaders. Here are some thoughts:

“All that is gold does not glitter, / Not all those who wander are lost;”
True value isn’t always obvious at first glance; people or things might seem ordinary but possess hidden worth. Wanderers—like Aragorn—may be on a noble path even if they’re perceived as lost.
“The old that is strong does not wither, / Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”
True strength and resilience come from deep origins—age and experience lend power that withstands hardships. As a person who does not believe that age and experiences alone bring strength, I believe having lived core values and a true purpose also serve as strong roots in Tolkien’s metaphor.
“From the ashes a fire shall be woken, / A light from the shadows shall spring;”
Even in dark times, renewal is possible; hope and brightness can emerge from despair.
“Renewed shall be blade that was broken: / The crownless again shall be king.”
The broken sword will be restored, symbolizing regeneration and renewal of leadership—in Aragorn’s case, reclaiming his kingship.

This poem reminds us to celebrate perseverance, hidden strength, and the eventual triumph of hope and rightful destiny.

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