power vs greatness

[the phantom]

Power seems to be a very popular word here in the books. Everyone wants to know who's the most powerful of this race, who's the most powerful of that group, who's the most powerful in this age, and so on. I did a search for the words power and powerful, and found 39 threads in the books that had one of these words in their title.

It seems that in all of these debates, certain quotes always appear, such as the one naming Feanor and Galadriel as the greatest of the Noldor, and the one naming Luthien as the greatest of the Eldar. But do those really mean anything when speaking of power? If you don't catch my drift, I'll give you a quote from my friend lord of dor-lomin on a recent thread that was, as usual, mixing up power and greatness.
(the thread was debating if Luthien or Galadriel was the more powerful being)

I think there's a difference between being "powerful" and being "great". When Tolkien says that "__ was the greatest of the __" I think he means "greatest" (that's what he said after all), not the most powerful.

Greatness would include a lot of things like goodness, nobility, and wisdom.

Power, however, is a bit different. Goodness and nobility don't matter as much, if at all. (just look at Morgoth/Sauron, zero goodness, yet undeniably very powerful) Also, power wouldn't weigh wisdom as heavily as sheer knowledge. Will power would be included, as well as the ability to master other's will. Not only would mastery over mind be important, but also mastery over matter. The number of skills a person has and how advanced those skills are would count greatly too. I also believe that combat ability would have an important place.

Using this sort of definition of power (vast knowledge, strong will, great skill, mastery over mind and matter, ability in battle), it seems to me that a certain elf besides Galadriel and Luthien pops into mind. (hint: his name starts with an F)

(he was hinting at Feanor, of course)

Now, I'm sure this is complete blasphemy to many people here. I've noticed that several people seem to be ridiculously obsessed with Galadriel, Gandalf, Luthien, and other such people who are undeniably very good and noble characters, and seem to think that because they're good, they're more powerful.

Now, as much as I'd love for good to always win, I am forced to say that no, being good does not make one more powerful. Purity may very well make one "greater", but greatness and power are not the same thing, so I don't think that those greatness quotes have any place in debates about power.

Power is one area that I believe is open for one to create their own definition (I like lord of dor-lomin's pretty well).

I'm very interested in what the rest of you think.