Manwë stumbles

[skip spence]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

To me, it seems that when they made Numenor for the Edain, the Valar didn't understand the nature of jealousy. A gift that brings one too close to what they cannot have, and thus reminds them of what they cannot -- indeed, are forbidden to -- have, isn't much of a gift at all, IMHO; sooner or later, someone thus "rewarded" is going to think that it's not a reward, and become jealous and angry. Why the Valar didn't foresee this possibility (probability?) has long puzzled me.

Indeed. Men want what they don't have. This simple fact should have been clear to the Valar had they spent any time among men.