Beyond Triumph: Chesterton and Tolkien on How to Fight a Losing Battle and Still Win
We all have our hobbit moments.
“The one perfectly divine thing, the one glimpse of God’s paradise given on earth, is to fight a losing battle — and not lose it.” Chesterton.
Is a battle successful only when it’s won? Hardly. “Noble failures” are often more successful than victories. They are a glimpse of paradise on earth. You understand that to fight is the only way to remain human.
The Lord of the Rings is full of “noble failures” that feel like paradise on earth. Boromir single-handedly fights a squad of orcs knowing full well that it is pointless. Aragorn, recognizing that their chances of survival are virtually non-existent, calls out as the enemy breaches the defenses at Helm’s Deep:
“Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them!”
He knows it’s not about victory on the battlefield; it’s about internal victory — remaining yourself to the end. In the face of inevitable defeat, Theoden exclaims:
“If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance.”
Gimli enthusiastically responds to Aragorn’s call:
“Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?”
The list goes on and on. The whole book can be summarized as a “fool’s hope of going on a quest that will most likely fail.” The chances of Frodo reaching Mount Doom were laughable from the start. And yet, it was the only way.
The pinnacle of this “paradise on earth” is the last battle before the gates of Barad-dûr. The company knew full well that it would be a losing battle, the last battle. But it was the only way to draw Sauron’s attention away from Frodo.
How do you fight a losing battle and not lose it? There’s a victory beyond external triumph. It’s a glimpse of paradise on earth. When the odds become unsurmountable something stirs within us, and we rise above fear and despair with a sudden and inexplicable desire to stand to the end.
“There is a seed of courage hidden (often deeply, it is true) in the heart of the fattest and most timid hobbit, waiting for some final and desperate danger to make it grow.”
We all have such hobbit moments. We see an enemy’s cold hand reaching out but instead of surrendering, we grab a sword and strike. It doesn’t matter whether we succeed or not. It’s the most striking strike in our hobbit life. It is paradise on earth. In the “Hall of Faith” of Hebrews 11, it says,
“[Some] through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice… shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword…
… others were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection… They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.”
Faith is the ultimate victory, whether we escape the sword or not.
‘Today is a good day to die’.
‘Better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees’.
We all die-the fortunate get to choose how.
The Egyptians studied death in order to be prepared. What body will our spirit inhabit upon death?
Should we start building that body while her on earth so that it’s strong when we pass over to the spirit realm?
This is what Jesus meant when he said he was storing up treasure in heaven. It’s our etheric body which is build one good unselfish deed at a time.
Yet our culture tells us to do the opposite. Live like there’s no tomorrow.
No wonder we’re afraid to die. Giving your life for another has to be a huge way to build up your heavenly body and war-giving birth-standing up for the innocent is the way to go.
These are chances for character development. Strong souls don't come from smooth sailing.