Sauron did not rule the kingdoms of the men to whom he gaves the rings, but he did sway their leadership in that they did things that were indirectly of his bidding. Sauron cannot control the Three Rings, as he could with the others, in the sense that he has power over their bearers, but nonetheless the Ruling Ring exerted power over the Three because when it was destroyed the Three no longer held their power.
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...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.
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