Not in Vain (1 Cor 15:58)

To J. R. R. Tolkien

The Kilns
H. Quarry
Oxford
24 Dec 1962

Thanks for your most kind letter. I know one can at best only wound, not kill, the dragon. All my philosophy of history hangs upon a sentence of your own, 'Deeds were done which were not wholly in vain.' . . .

Jack

--Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis, 3:1396

There was sorrow then too, and gathering dark, but great valour, and great deeds that were not wholly vain.

--J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 1, ch. 2