Why Sauron wants the Ring?

[Belegorn]

Originally Posted by Drognan

Is it explained why Sauron wants the Ring so much?
The Ring doesn't guarantee victory because he was defeated when he wore Ring for the last time.

I think it was because the Ring would lay bare all things that the Elves had done with the Three. On recovering the One Sauron, "will command them all again, wherever they be, even the Three and all that has been wrought with them will be laid bare, and he will be stronger than ever." [FotR, p. 76] Remember the Rings are connected, but Sauron only had any control over the other if he had the One Ring, or wore those other Rings themselves. So when he recovers the One the hideouts and works of all his enemies would be known. Everything that was done with the Rings apparently left a sort of imprint. So the work of Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel he would know of. The reason he made the Rings was to control the peoples of Middle-Earth. Gandalf says that the Ring he lacks is the "one thing to give him strength and knowledge to beat down all resistance, break the last defenses, and cover all the lands in a second darkness." [FotR, p. 76] Remember, "One Ring to rule them all..." Also as Elrond mentions as long as the Rng is around it would be a danger to the Wise because they could take it and take Sauron's place and Sauron would not want that, "It's strength, Boromir, is too great for anyone to wield at will, save only those who have already a great power of their own. But for them it holds an even deadlier peril. The very desire of it corrupts the heart. Consider Saruman. If any of the Wise should with this Ring overthrow the Lord of Mordor, using his own arts, he would then set himself on Sauron's throne, and yet another Dark Lord would appear. And that is another reason why the Ring should be destroyed: as long as it is in the world it will be a danger even to the Wise." [FotR, p. 320-321]