The Ring of the Nibelung

It was then that Erda, the great mother goddess, uttered an onerous prophesy: only a man of free will could wear the Ring and direct its might. The Rheingold brought damnation to all others and they all, dwarf or giant, mortal or god, would fall victim and the Ring would vanquish them… But if a man of free will were to don it, all would be freed and the gods would perish.