The Hobbit is an inspiring tale about the adventures of Bilbo Baggins. While it is not set in a particular country or place that we can directly relate too, it is certainly one of the timeless travel books that can be read on almost any kind of trip because it tells the story of the journey there and all the lessons learnt along the way.
- Learn from experiences, not things.
“There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
- Just leaving home can be dangerous. Why should travel be any different?
“It’s a dangerous business, walking out one’s front door.”
- While it may be great to get wonderfully lost, do so wisely. Read up about the place you’re visiting, take a map, tell a friend.
“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”
- Just like the road goes on, so does life! Take only memories and leave only footprints.
“The road goes ever on and on.”
- Traveling into the unknown can be a scary thought. It’s easy to turn the other way and make a list of everything that could go horribly wrong but what about all the things that could go pleasantly right? You’ll have endless stories and become a new person.
Gandalf: “I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.”
Bilbo: “I should think so – in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can’t think what anybody sees in them …”
Gandalf: “You’ll have a tale or two to tell when you come back.”
Bilbo: “You can promise that I’ll come back?”
Gandalf: “No. And if you do, you will not be the same.”
- Travel shows you what a small place you occupy in this world.
“Surely you don’t disbelieve the prophecies just because you helped them come about. You don’t really suppose do you that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck? Just for your sole benefit? You’re a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I’m quite fond of you. But you are really just a little fellow, in a wide world after all.”
- Leave behind the known securities and explore beyond your comfort zone.
“You will have to manage without pocket-handkerchiefs and a good many other things, before you get to the journey’s end.”
- Travel pushes you to limits you didn’t know you had. You’ll learn more about your own abilities.
“There is a lot more in Bilbo than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself.”
- Travel will teach you things about the world that you can’t always learn from books.
“You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.”
- You won’t always find a friend to come with you but you certainly will find a friend or two on the road.
“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging and it’s very difficult to find anyone.”
Thanks Neni 🙂 I’ve been rereading snippets all week! I love when Gandalf tells Bilbo he’ll never be the same again 🙂 xx
This is so great! I loved the Hobbit, it was so fun and adventurous. Now I want to reread it 🙂