My first idea this Wednesday was to write something about the quote “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future”, which comes from the Lord of the Rings movies and is spoken by Galadriel. But then I came across a short article by Marcel Aubron-Bülles that reminded me of the quote which can be seen as the inspiration for Galadriel’s words, which only occur in the movies:
Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.
Elrond
Since I recognize in this quote a certain synopsis of my last two articles in this series (This is the Way and In 900 Years of Time and Space), I would like to address it this week. Elrond speaks the words during the deliberations in Rivendell, after the decision is made to destroy the Ring.
First of all, it is noticeable that it is not only the great and wise, meaning here the rulers, wizards and other powerful figures, who determine the fate of the world. They also have an influence, but the deeds that move the wheels of the world, that change the course of the world, are often not their merit, they are actually often not even noticed by them. It is the small ones who do these deeds. Of course, “small hands” might make you think of hobbits, but I think it’s closer here to see the contrast between the big and the small.The small ones are the seemingly insignificant ones, who are not in the focus of the world history and who direct it nevertheless, exactly because there is nobody who would not be important actually.
The same can then be applied to the deeds. These are not the great exploits about which great epics are written (well, in the case of The Lord of the Rings, actually they are), for these would catch the eye of the great ones. The latter, however, have their eyes elsewhere, their focus is on other things. Rather, it is the small deeds that are not accompanied by glory, that do not radiate the splendor of heroic deeds, and that are not acclaimed. Deeds that don’t necessarily stand out, but that have such a big impact that they change the course of history, that they mesh with the world.
The little ones do these deeds because they have to be done. Of course, these deeds are not necessarily done willingly and Frodo also wishes that all this would not fall into his lifetime. But it has to be done because it is the right thing to do. The little ones realize that these are the deeds that must be done precisely because they do not think about advantages, gaining power, or strategies, as do the big ones who are busy with other things. The little ones do these deeds because they have to be done, because they are right, because that is the way.
“I wish it need not have happend in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Lord of the Rings, Book One, Chapter Two: The Shadow of the Past
Finally, here’s a quick thought to take away: Doesn’t this quote apply to the fight against climate change?