Faramir
"I do not slay man or beast needlessly, and not gladly even when it is needed."

"Do not scorn the pity that is the gift of a gentle heart."

'For myself, I would see the White Tree in flower again in the courts of the kings, and the Silver Crown return, and Minas Tirith in peace: Minas Anor again as of old, full of light, high and fair, beautiful as a queen among other queens; not as a mistress of many slaves, nay, not even a kind mistress of willing slaves. War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend: the city of the Men of Númenor, and I would have her loved for her memory, her ancientry, her beauty, and her present wisdom. Not feared, save as men may fear the dignity of a man, old and wise.'

"The praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards."

"Who would lie idle when the king has returned?"

(Denethor) "Ever your desire is to appear lordly and generous as a king of old, gracious, gentle. That may well befit one of a high race, if he sits in power and peace. But in desperate hours gentleness may be repaid with death."
"So be it," said Faramir.

(on the Ring) "Not if I found it on the highway would I take it I said. Even if I were such a man as to desire this thing, and even though I knew not clearly what this thing was when I spoke, still I should take these words as a vow, and be held by them. But I am not such a man. Or I am wise enough to know that there are some perils from which a man must flee."

(on Éowyn) "He looked at her, and being a man whom pity deeply stirred, it seemed to him that her loveliness amid her grief would piece his heart."

Others on Faramir
Sam: 'He could see Faramir's face: it was stern and commanding, and a keen wit lay behind his searching glance.' 

Sam: "You... showed your quality: the very highest. You have an air too, sir, that reminds me of, of - well Gandalf, of wizards."

Frodo: 'He felt in his heart that Faramir, though he was much like his brother in looks, was a man less self-regarding, both sterner and wiser.'

Frodo: "Most gracious host, it was said to me by Elrond Halfelven that I should find friendship upon the way, secret and unlooked for. Certainly I looked for no such friendship as you have shown."

Mablung: "The road may pass, but [the Southrons] shall not! Not while Faramir is Captain. He leads now in all perilous ventures. But his life is charmed, or fate spares him for some other end."

Gandalf: "By some chance the blood of Westernesse runs nearly true in [Denethor]; as it does in his other son, Faramir, and yet did not in Boromir whom he loved best."

Men of Gondor: "He can govern men and beast."

Beregond: "He is bold, more bold than many deem; for in these days men are slow to believe a captain can be wise and learned in the scrolls of lore and song, as he is, and yet a man of hardihood and swift judgement in the field. But such is Faramir. Less reckless and eager than Boromir, but not less resolute."

Pippin: 'When he saw the pale face of Faramir he caught his breath. It was the face of one who had been assailed by a great fear or anguish, but has mastered it and now is quiet. Proud and grave he stood for a moment... and Pippin gazing at him saw how closely he resembled his brother Boromir - whom Pippin had liked from the first, admiring the great man's lordly but kindly manner. Yet suddenly for Faramir his heart was strangely moved with a feeling that he had not known before. Here was one with an air of high nobility such as Aragorn at times revealed, less high perhaps, yet also less incalculable and remote: one of the Kings of Men born into a later time, but touched with the wisdom and sadness of the Eldar Race. He knew now why Beregond spoke his name with love. He was a captain that men would follow, that he would follow, even under the shadow of the black wings.'

Denethor: "Ever your desire is to appear lordly and generous as a king of old, gracious, gentle."

Ioreth: 'Ioreth, the eldest of the women who served in the house, looking on the fair face of Faramir, wept, for all the people loved him.'

Aragorn: "He is a man of staunch will, for already he had come close under the shadow before ever he rode to battle on the out-walls."

Éowyn: 'She looked at him and saw the grave tenderness in his eyes, and yet knew, for she was bred among men of war, that here was one whom no Rider of the Mark would outmatch in battle... this tall man, both stern and gentle...'

Return