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I must say the enclosed letter from Rutten and Loening is a bit stiff. Do I suffer this impertinence because of the possession of a German name, or do their lunatic laws require a certificate of 'arisch' origin from all persons of all countries? ... I do not regard the (probable) absence of all Jewish blood as necessarily honourable; and I have many Jewish friends, and should regret giving any colour to the notion that I subscribed to the wholly pernicious and unscientific race-doctrine.

J. R. R. Tolkien#41

EthicsEqualityLawRacism

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author resents a letter asking for race certificates. He rejects racial theories and notes his Jewish friends.
In plain terms
He opposes racial laws and hates racism.
What can you take from it?
Reject racism and treat all people as equals.

Where it applies

  • dealing with bureaucracy
  • facing prejudice
  • discussing race

Putting it to work

  • reject racism
  • help friends
  • stand firm

Questions to consider

  • How do you respond to injustice?
  • Why is racism wrong?

Another view

Personal feelings cannot always stop laws.

More from J. R. R. Tolkien

  1. As for what you say or hint of 'local' conditions: I knew of them. I don't think they have much changed (even for the worse). I used to hear them discussed by …

    Permalink to quote #40
  2. I regret that I am not clear as to what you intend by 'arisch'. I am not of Aryan extraction: that is Indo-Iranian; as far as I am aware none of my ancestors s…

    Permalink to quote #42
  3. The news today about 'Atomic bombs' is so horrifying one is stunned. The utter folly of these lunatic physicists to consent to do such work for war-purposes: c…

    Permalink to quote #39

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