Bb wrote:
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This reads Seldom is any tale told of deeds of lust amongst them. 'Seldom' does not mean 'never' and the restriction refers to tales, not the behaviour itself. The gist of the sentence is that tales are not told about it, not that it never occurs.
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Logical as it stands; however, davem's quote is also limited. Naturally, I am away from my books (see corresponding thread) but Tolkien states that elves are different than men in this manner before he states that 'seldom is any tale told.'
Here's a snippet:
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but the right of revoking (a betrothal) was seldom used, for the Eldar do not err lightly in such choice. They are not easily deceived by their own kind; and their spirits being masters of their bodies, they are seldom swayed by the desires of the body only, but are by nature continent and steadfast.
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(Aside, IMO: Generally speaking, the shorter a species' lifespan, the higher the reproductive drive; it stands to reason therefore that elves would not have a major issue with it.)
Edit: Michael maritinez includes the full quote
here , page 85.