A Khuzdul proverb by Anérea

A Khuzdul proverb

Rather less eloquent in its Westron translation, this proverb probably came into more common use after the fall of Thorin Oakenshield, although its origins quite possibly go as far back as the battles over the Nauglamir:

The delight of gold
lies in the melting and moulding
more than in the having and holding.

Chapter End Notes

(Inspired by the Ainulindalë: "Of the fabric of Earth had Aulë thought, to whom Ilúvatar had given skill and knowledge scarce less than to Melkor; but the delight and pride of Aulë is in the deed of making, and in the thing made, and neither in possession nor in his own mastery; wherefore he gives and hoards not, and is free from care, passing ever on to some new work.").