[Hugo Millbanks]

How odd! This very topic is why I logged in again after a year. I was reading LOTR again and while reading through TT, I began pondering Saurumans pride and greed. Giving it more thought I started contemplating if Aule could be considered the god of pride and greed as well.
The following characters are associated with him and all exhibit various levels of pride and greed. Sauron, Sauruman, Dwarves and the Noldor. Though the Noldor were children of Eru, he taught the Noldor much, and even Feanor would have been one of his pupils. Arguably Feanor held his own pride apart from Aule, but all the Noldor learned much from Aule and also demonstrated pride and later even greed. We can see even Galadriel demonstrates greed (desire) though she successfully rejects the ring.
Aule demonstrates himself some characteristics of pride when he creates the Dwarves. Within this context I am proposing the idea that pride is driving greed. Though I am not suggesting that Aule is greedy.
Sauron can be argued to have received his negative influences from Melkor. Certainly we can associate many negative characteristics to Melkor, envy being directly attributed to him, and envy can also be associated with greed. But Sauron also was of a different mindset than Melkor, he wanted dominion over others.
Tolkien certainly threaded many many messages within his mythology, as any mythology will. we can see the results of greed throughout his works. Tolkien did give some less than perfect characteristics to the gods, and each had their flaws, even if only alluded to.
Aule's interaction or influence on many of the characters throughout the mythology, could been seen as to create a sense of pride and hence greed.
Just one humble Hobbits observation. Time for my second breakfast.