Does 🧙Gandalf Make An Error In This Statement?

Aha. In some firther research, I discover all 20 of the rings are considered "great rings." Stupid me.
There is little debate there were more than the 20, these the 'lesser' rings that were made in the learning process, with which Tolkien has little to nothing to do, other than having Saruman call himself "Saruman, ring-maker" at one point.

They would all be 'rings of power' of some kind...even the lesser rings made during the learning process. 'Twas their very purpose in one way or anther - to provide or enhance power.

And surely not all were made with evil intent or under Annatar's direction to suit his schemes for dominance and control.

So coming back to Gandalf's statement "A Ring of Power looks after itself..." is he referring to "all" the rings of power,including the lesser ones? Or just the sullied rings of power.

Surely a Ring of Power not of 'evil' nature would not 'slip off a finger treacherously"...?

I personally must conclude as to the "purpose" behind Gandalf's clear mis-statement to Frodo, (which I've come to believe it was since he fails to encompass the whole range of Rings of Power), was limited to the behaviors of the sullied rings of power for impact and clarity's sake on behalf of the unlearned recipient, Frodo Baggins. i.e. Gandalf was speaking 'to the level of the receiver' and the 'particular need of the moment.' The rest of the truth could wait for a more appropriate time.

Muddle, muddle, toil and fuddle. What a mess, what a mess, we've stepped in a puddle.
Let's sort it out - get into a huddle. Or lets just forget it. Lets just go and cuddle.

There is an interesting discussion of the rings here:

The Ent said:

So coming back to Gandalf's statement "A Ring of Power looks after itself..." is he referring to "all" the rings of power,including the lesser ones? Or just the sullied rings of power.

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Yeah, I always thought that he was speaking about all 20 Rings of Powers, and honestly, I don't find any error in his statement.
For example, if someone stole the ring from Galadriel or Elrond, I think it's very possible that these rings too would try to return to their masters.
When Cirdan gave ring to the Gandalf, willingly, the ring just changed his master.

Maybe Sauron couldn't give his ring as a present, even if he wanted, because, unlike other rings, The One Ring hold the best part of Sauron himself.
So even if he gave it, the ring would probably try to return to him.

d4rk3lf said:

When Cirdan gave ring to the Gandalf, willingly, the ring just changed his master.

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Yes, but the 'error' in the statement becomes then, Gandalf says "Bilbo alone in history has ever gone beyond playing, and managed to do it."

Celebrimbor had no problem giving them all away. And Cirdan didn't require anyone's 'help' to do so.

So a flaw in Gandalf's statement still abides in this case.

Again, my conclusion Gandalf is simply being 'expedient' in the situation at hand.

d4rk3lf said:

Maybe Sauron couldn't give his ring as a present, even if he wanted, because, unlike other rings, The One Ring hold the best part of Sauron himself.

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This is another thought worth probing in the 'ring lore' arena for sure, by the way.

In no other case is it said any of the ring makers 'allowed any part of their power to pass into the ring.' Is that 'required' for a Ring of Power? (Or any of the rings made?) Or is that strictly unique to the One Ring.

That said, as Gandalf indicates "rings of power look out for themselves," it can't imply ONLY the One Ring has certain characteristics of their own...somehow they all come to have some kind of innate characteristics.

A most curious bisiness, this ring-lore. Certainly the stuff of fantasy.

A Ring of Power.
Power over what?
Sauron's One Ring is the only one that has power over all other rings forged by the Elven smiths of Eregion ...

Olorgando said:

Power over what?

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hhmmmm... another good question.

Clearly, the Elven three have power... said to be powers of preservation - Galadriels certainly exercising some power even over time itself it would appear. We don't hear much about the actual powers either Elronds or Gandalf's confer, but the statement made lumps them into the 'preservation' category in some way as I recall.

And the 9 for men certainly extend life far beyond ability of the body to sustain it, they becoming wraiths. They confer immortality as long as the One exists. Also enhance their normal powers, and because of them the 9's powers increase as Sauron's power increases. The 9 also manage to enslave them to Sauron,

The 7 for the Dwarf Lords, though a failure in their primary purpose, certainly nonetheless had power over the wearing dwarves' lusts and passions, making them exceedlingly hungry for treasures, and the hoarding thereof (said someplace I just recently read). Who knows what else...it's a bit unclear.

But all the rings indeed exercise a certain kind of power spoken to in the texts. They conferred power 'consistent with the strength of the bearer' so there's a direct link between their capability and the ability of the wearer as well in some way. Thus, Gollum, Bilbo and Frodo were pretty useless bearers of the ring, as they had little personal power.

What kind of 'power' is this? What kind of 'personal power' is being addressed by Tolkien / Gandalf when these words are used?

I'll need to let people far more steeped in the lore and ring-lore than I speak to it more specifically.