Beware Of Messing With Dragons

J.R.R. Tolkien (John Ronald Reuel Tolkien), best-known for his "Lord of the Rings," was friends with writer C.S. Lewis (Clive Staples Lewis). Apparently, people in those days used initials, rather than their given names and, in the case of C. S., not even their given names; his friends called him Jack.

Tolkien, a devout Catholic, and Lewis, an agnostic at the time, frequently debated religion and the role of mythology. Unlike Lewis, who tended to dismiss myths and fairy tales, Tolkien firmly believed that they have moral and spiritual value.

Perhaps this is why, in “Lord of the Rings,” he advises us: “Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.”

Of course, slightly demented and imaginative people with a sense of humor soon latched onto that one and came up with a different version: “Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crispy and taste good with ketchup.”

"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will piss on your computer"

"Do not meddle in the affairs of professors, for they are subtle and quick to flunk you"

"Do not meddle in the affairs of the Drug Enforcement Agency, for they are morally certain and quick to use asset forfeiture."