Stewardship

The following dialogue extract from the famous fantasy saga ‘The Lords of the Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien is often quoted (in part or even altered) to support the notion of stewardship towards Nature. In fact, the sacredness of nature and its primeval forces is a strong theme throughout Tolkien’s trilogy. The said extract is presented here in full with some context information.

In this exchange, the first speaker is Denethor, steward of the land of Gondor, a kingdom whose line of kings died out so that it has been under the care of a line of stewards for many generations, until such time that a rightful king comes forth to claim the throne. The second speaker is Gandalf the wizard, who comes with tidings and counsel in times of peril, but holds no official political authority and is not entirely welcome, since the lord steward sees him as a threat to his power.

..Pride would be folly that disdained help and counsel at need; but you deal out such gifts according to your own designs. Yet the Lord of Gondor is not to be made the tool of other men’s purposes, however worthy. And to him there is no purpose higher in the world as it now stands than the good of Gondor; and the rule of Gondor, my lord, is mine and no other man’s, unless the king should come again.’

‘Unless the king should come again?’ said Gandalf. ‘Well, my lord Steward, it is your task to keep some kingdom still against that event, which few now look to see. In that task you shall have all the aid that you are pleased to ask for. But I will say this: the rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task, though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward. Did you not know?’

—John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings, vol. III: The Return of the King