Control over The One Ring

[akhtene]

couldn't a Vala use the Ring without being corrupted?

What for? The Valar by themselves are Powers.

The peoples of Middle-earth did not overpower Sauron; they outsmarted him,

Well, speaking of the way the Ring was taken to Orodruin and disposed of, you're right, Sauron was really outsmarted.

But first, resisting the temptation which the Ring offered, they beat the evel will of Sauron with the power of wisdom, hope and humility.
Btw, the one who really hoped to outsmart the Dark Lord was Boromir. Where did it get him? [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]