"I should like to save the Shire, if I could - though there have been times when I thought the inhabitants too stupid and dull for words, and have felt that an earthquake or an invasion of dragons might be good for them. But I don't feel like that now. I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable: I shall know that somewhere there is a firm foothold, even if my feet cannot stand there again."

carrying the world around his neck

"I see no hope of it now. But I've got to do the best I can."

❖: Ten things that the character likes

1. The Shire.
2. Mushrooms.
3. His kin, mainly Uncle Bilbo, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took, ( everyone just calls them Merry and Pippin tho). 
4. Reading and learning languages, also map-writing.
5. Adventuring —before you know, it ruined his life. 
6. Peace and quiet, beautiful things, the elves.
7. The good in others, as he loses faith at times, it is one of the quickest ways to cast light on his soul.
8. Light, green things, the stars — all things that he no longer sees as he travels further into Mordor.
9. Gandalf’s fireworks. 
10. Sam’s flowers, Sam’s cooking.