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Tolkien cleverly weaves these threads to illustrate that no race is immune to malevolence; even those who were created strong by Aulë could falter when faced with temptation. The example of Smaug, the great dragon, demonstrates the destructive nature of unchecked greed, a theme prominent throughout Tolkien’s oeuvre.
Conclusion: A Complex Legacy of Dwarves
While Tolkien left many aspects of his world tantalizingly vague, he deftly implied that the potential for both good and evil exists within all races, including dwarves. The existence of 'dark dwarves' serves as a reminder of the fragility of virtue amidst the allure of power and greed. Even among the seven clans of dwarves, dissenters seeking personal gain were driven to serve Sauron.