Re: Boromir
Sir Trent said:
Earlier someone mentioned that Gandalf had earned his power by 'walking among the people', but the knowledge I gained from reading the books says that Gandalf, and indeed all the other wizards including Saruman, are not from Middle Earth and gained their powers my simply being born where ever it is they are from.
Gandalf's power, unlike Saruman's or Sauron's did not come from great, ostentatious displays of magic arts (the "power" to which you refer).
Gandalf's TRUE power was in his influence over others. Yes, he used powers (note the "s") not of this world, but his powers were not the source of his power.
Gandalf's influence for good was his power. He earned that influence by being noble and wise and being a true friend and counselor to others.
Gandalf seems to me have a view of his powers much like the one the devil Screwtape describes as being "humble" when you are powerful without "trying to convince yourself you are not." He is content to use his powers only when necessary, and even then most often to aid another, rather than himself. He doesn't "live" for his powers - if someone else had used powers like his to the same ends instead of him, he would be perfectly contented with that, too... so long as SOMEONE had so used them, it made no difference to him WHO used them (i.e., whether or not it was him).
The power of the Gandalf character to me is someone who COULD do a job himself, and DOES do it when no one else can - but who prefers to let others do the job - he is content to "simply give [them] a little nudge out of the door."
Real, true, power, in my mind, has nothing to do with "powers" (what you can do) and everything to do with what you are.
--The Sigil