What role did greed play in Tolkien's books?

[Belegorn]

Originally Posted by Tar-Jêx

Thorin's greed took his company across half of Middle Earth, got 3 of them killed, and resulted in countless casualties on both sides in the Battle of the Five Armies. Thorin's greed led to Bilbo finding the One Ring, and letting it slowly take over his mind, until it was passed onto Frodo. Thorin's greed lasted after his death, too, as when he was buried, it was with Orcrist, which symbolises that the elves respected him, and with the Arkenstone, that he may live after death with the thing he treasured most.

I don't know. I think it was also a move of Gandalf's to help set up the free people's against the evil in Middle-earth. So I can't say Thorin was responsible for all that happened on the journey. There are 14 other personalities with him. When does any responsibility lie with them? Thorin did have several cousins who were part of that journey. I'd say they would be close to the throne.