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Originally Posted by Essex
Exactly what were the words of Power? anyone know?
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We discussed something along these lines
here
As to the question of staffs having innate power, clearly there are many objects in Middle-earth which have innate power: Silmarils, Palantiri, swords, Galadriel's Mirror ('Do not touch the water!'). But they all also have a symbolic significance as well.
So it seems that certain objects are symbols, 'batteries' which can store & discharge power & conduits of the wielder's own power. Of course, others may take up the objects & make use of their power, so its clear that certain objects do store power & are powerful in their own right. Its also clear, though, that its not always possible for someone to pick up a magical object & just use it. Frodo is told by Galadriel he must train his will to be able to use the One.
As to the Wizard's staff. We know from the example of Sauron & the Ring that it is possible for an individual of sufficient ability to pour some of their power into a physical object. Is there a qualitative difference between the Wizard's staff & the One - or is the same technique behind the process? Does a magical object have to be imbued with power by its user/creator? Does Feanor pour some of his fiery spirit into the Silmarils as Sauron pours some of his into the Ring?
Certainly, if Saruman
did pour some of his innate power (a great deal of it?) into his staff then Gandalf's breaking of it would be equivalent on a much lesser scale to the effect on Sauron of the destruction of of the One.