Melkor and Sauron's goal

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

It's a chain reaction, but with results more dangerous than the release of neutrons.

First, there's pride. I'm the best so all of you are no match.

Then envy. Hey. How come he has that? I want that, too.

Morgoth never understood that, powerful though he may be, the bounds of his strength is clearly set. In his quest to rival Eru's creative power, his envy is consumed to the point of hatred. I can't have that? Well, neither can you. *smash*

Sauron went through the same process, except his hatred was only directed at those who oppose him, not the entireity of creation. After all, his pride only came from desire to create "order" on Middle-earth, not to create existence.