Frodo wondered about this also, and asked Galadriel about it.
Quote:
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I am permitted to wear the One Ring: why cannot I see all the others and know the thoughts of those that wear them?
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By 'the others' he had to have been referring to only the Three, since the Nine were held by Sauron (but not worn), as were presumably those of the Seven that had not been destroyed. Galadriel's answer:
Quote:
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You have not tried. Only thrice have you set the Ring upon your finger since you knew what you possessed. Do not try! It would destroy you. Did not Gandalf tell you the rings give power according to the measure of each possessor? Before you could use that power you would need to become far stronger, and to train your will to the domination of others.
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This indicates that at least Galadriel believed mortals could in time and with concentration have learned to use the Ring to dominate.
However, Gollum apparently only made use of the Ring's power of invisibility, using it to steal, discover secrets, and find food. While he possessed the Ring he apparently had no desire to do anything else with it. This may indeed have been partially due to the Ring's reduced power while Sauron gathered his strength.
[ December 31, 2001: Message edited by: Inziladun ]