> In The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, which character says, "All we haveto decide is what to do with the time that is given us?"And the answer: Gandalf. In the book, Frodo says, "I wish it need not have happened in my time." To whichGandalf replies, "So do I...and so do all who live to see such times. But thatis not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the timethat is given us."Photo credit: Den of Geek[https://www.denofgeek.com/books/ian-mckellen-teases-return-as-gandalf-on-amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series/].Gandalf, or "Elf of the Wand" as it translates from old Mannish, is a powerfuland wise character in the Lord of the Rings series. Hailing from a race calledMaiar, Gandalf is endowed with abilities such as manipulating fire, creatingsmoke, casting light, telekinesis, and telepathy. However, the limits ofGandalf’s magic were never defined by Tolkien, and it is probable that he hasmore power than he ever demonstrated in Middle Earth. In The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings series, Gandalf is sent to Middle Earthalong with four other Maiar to help search for evil. He and the four others eachtook on a human form to do so, with Gandalf taking on that of an old man to showhis humility and wisdom. Indeed, even beyond Middle Earth, Gandalf is consideredthe wisest of the Maiar. While his spirit is immortal, his body is not, whichexplains his eventual reincarnation as Gandalf the White. In fact, no one knowshow long his spirit has been around, but it's possible that he was born at thebeginning of time (which would explain why he's so wise!).Gandalf also serves as the foil to forces of evil. According to Lord of theRings lore, when Gandalf was assigned to Middle Earth, he initially resisted thepost out of fear of the evil god Sauron. However, that only strengthened thecause for his assignment, as like Sauron is the embodiment of evil, Gandalf isthe embodiment of good.Learn more about this mythical wizard below.