New Delhi, March 24 -- "Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement.", these powerful words from Gandalf were uttered in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, authored by JRR Tolkien

Gandalf speaks these words to Frodo Baggins in the mines of the Shire, specifically during a quiet, grave moment in Bag End, when Frodo recoils upon learning that the creature Gollum still lives and laments that Bilbo did not kill him when he had the chance. Frodo declares that Gollum deserves death. Gandalf's response is one of the most quietly devastating rebukes in all of literature.

The wizard is not defending Gollum's crimes. He is challengin...