Sauron and Saruman?

[the phantom]

Indeed, the fact that anyone using the Ring, even out of a desire to do good, would, it seems, end up using it for evil suggests that it is inevitably a corrupting influence. Gandalf recognises that he would not be able to resist its corruption were he to claim it. That is why he does not seek to use it. And if he could not resist its corrupting influence, then he could not be expected to master it.

Well put, Saucepan Man.

the one thing that Sauron didn't count on was the intervention of the hand of providence (some would say the will of Eru)

When there is no way, Eru finds a way.

And by the way Saucepan Man, I'm honored to have inspired a few thoughts in the mind of such an esteemed member of The Barrow-Downs. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]