Keeping Our Oaths
Throughout The Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien emphasized the importance of honor, loyalty, and integrity when it comes to keeping one’s oaths. Through Gimli, we see a character that understands oaths, bonds, and promises. I like to call this walking the talk. I’ve written about this before in Walk The Talk! There is an incredible exchange between Gimli and Elrond that goes like this: “Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens,” said Gimli. “Maybe,” said Elrond, “but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” “Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart,” said Gimli. “Or break it,” said Elrond. “Look not too far ahead!” Gimli is vowing to walk the talk.
Gimli’s unwavering commitment to his promises, through his oaths to his companions, illustrates that true bravery involves steadfastness and trustworthiness. Tolkien used Gimli’s character to show that upholding our oaths and promises is essential for maintaining personal integrity and fostering genuine bonds of friendship, trust, and respect. Do we do what we say we are going to do? It doesn’t seem people take this as serious as in the past. We need to get back to honoring our commitments. Always!
For example, I am excited to be going to lunch with a mentor from early in my career next week. What if the day before I get another opportunity and I decide to call my former mentor and cancel? This would not only disappoint him, it would be breaking an oath and be disrespectful. I realize things come up, but we need to do what we say we are going to do. In order to be trusted, we must walk the talk. Breaking a promise, commitment, or oath is a very serious thing and contaminates our relationships; eating away at trust.
Ultimately, Tolkien, through The Lord of the Rings, brilliantly suggested that keeping one’s vows reflects moral strength and contributes to the larger good, reinforcing the idea that honor is a vital virtue in both individual character and collective unity.
Distorted Perceptions of Others
In my reading and studying yesterday of The Two Towers, J. R. R. Tolkien’s second book in The Lord of the Rings, I was intrigued by a conversation between Samwise Gamgee and Faramir. Sam was impressed by Faramir’s generosity and hospitality toward elves. Faramir commented on how times had changed and others did not trust elves. Faramir said, “Men now fear and misdoubt the Elves, and yet know little of them.” This reminded me and made me consider how fear and misunderstanding can distort perceptions of others, especially those who are different or mysterious.
From this, we can learn that often, fear of the unknown leads to mistrust and prejudice, even when the actual intentions or nature of those misunderstood are benign or misunderstood. It emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding before forming judgments. In a broader sense, it reminds us to approach unfamiliar situations or people with curiosity rather than suspicion, fostering empathy and reducing conflict rooted in ignorance.
Accepting Ambiguity Can Be A Form Of Wisdom
I love this statement by Gimli at the beginning of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Two Towers: “Maybe there is no right choice.” It reflects a profound theme about the complexity and ambiguity of moral and strategic decisions. It suggests that sometimes, situations are so nuanced that no option is clearly correct or ideal, and choices involve sacrifice, risk, or uncertainty. Growth often comes from navigating these tough choices, and that accepting ambiguity can be a form of wisdom.
I also believe this reflects a perspective that is a valuable and underused approach in teaching and parenting our children as well. Teaching children that sometimes there isn’t a perfect or clearly right answer, but rather the best choice given the situation, helps them develop critical thinking and resilience. We need to encourage our kids to weigh their options, consider the consequences, and accept that uncertainty is a natural part of decision-making. By modeling and guiding them through these ambiguous situations, we foster adaptability, courage, and confidence in their ability to navigate life’s challenges. It’s about helping them understand that making thoughtful decisions amidst uncertainty is a skill worth cultivating.
Gimli’s statement is a good reminder that in difficult circumstances, leaders and individuals may need to accept that perfection isn’t always attainable. It emphasizes the importance of making the best possible decision with the information available, even if it’s inherently imperfect. Gimli’s words highlight the human experience of facing difficult dilemmas where clarity is lacking, encouraging resilience, adaptability, and courage in the face of uncertainty.
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