This has always been one of my favorite bits of Tolkien: that war may be able to make room for peace and virtue and all that, but it doesn't accomplish it on its own. You need actual virtues taking advantage of that space.
Very close to my own philosophy, actually, except I think that the (practical) necessity of war is very much a symptom of Arda Marred, and something those of us in the primary world fall on much too easily, even happily. But that's a different topic entirely.
I love the fact that it was all acts of mercy that enabled the malice of the Ring to be destroyed. First was Bilbo's sparing Gollum, then Gandalf commended him to the Elves, who also showed him mercy, Frodo showing him mercy when he was caught, Faramir sparing him for Frodo's sake, even Sam spared him when it would have been safer not to.
We were watching "The Unexpected Journey" the other day and during the cave scene hubby said "Bilbo ought to have gotten rid of Gollum right then." That led to the discussion of "it was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand", and of course on to what might have happened if Bilbo had killed Gollum. And then the parallel to us - thank goodness for God's mercy that we don't get what we deserve!
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Very close to my own philosophy, actually, except I think that the (practical) necessity of war is very much a symptom of Arda Marred, and something those of us in the primary world fall on much too easily, even happily. But that's a different topic entirely.
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I think Gollum was offered both, and turned them both down.