The Ring: If Galadriel or Gandalf had taken it?

[Lalwendë]

I agree that Saruman had definitely tried his hand at ring making. One of the (many) things that intrigues me about him is what powers this ring gave him. And like I've said many times before, I believe he was trying to forge some kind of 'third way' which ultimately failed (and maybe was even doomed to fail).

I often wonder if his impulse to get hold of the Hobbits and hence the One ring was of his own making or due to the influence of Sauron via his use of the palantir. And likewise, how much his crafting of his ring was influenced by Sauron.

Are these the words of someone wholly under the influence of Sauron or the words of someone who had a genuine idea to do things another way, and who had that notion exploited by Sauron:

'He drew himself up then and began to declaim, as if he were making a speech long rehearsed. "The Elder Days are gone. The Middle Days are passing. The Younger Days are beginning. The time of the Elves is over, but our time is at hand: the world of Men, which we must rule. But we must have power, power to order all things as we will, for that good which only the Wise can see.

'"And listen, Gandalf, my old friend and helper!" he said, coming near and speaking now in a softer voice. "I said we, for we it may be, if you will join with me. A new Power is rising. Against it the old allies and policies will not avail us at all. There is no hope left in Elves or dying Numenor. This then is one choice before you, before us. We may join with that Power. It would be wise, Gandalf. There is hope that way. Its victory is at hand; and there will be rich reward for those that aided it. As the Power grows, its proved friends will also grow; and the Wise, such as you and I, may with patience come at last to direct its courses, to control it. We can bide our time, we can keep our thoughts in our hearts, deploring maybe evils done by the way, but approving the high and ultimate purpose: Knowledge, Rule, Order; all the things that we have so far striven in vain to accomplish, hindered rather than helped by our weak or idle friends. There need not be, there would not be, any real change in our designs, only in our means."