Gandalf to Denethor

Perhaps my one single favorite quote from The Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien, Gandalf affirming the but relative importance of Gondor to the Steward of Gondor himself, Lord Denethor. It is a very important part of Tolkien's thought, to be highlighted, that abstract conceptions such as honour, realms or ranks are never shown above the defence of concrete life.

"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?"