We have to remember that all we know of LotR comes from the hobbit's writings. It's possible, even likely, that having been slighted by Sauron, the hobbits set about to destroy and defame him. For all we know, he may have been completely the opposite of what we think. He did, afterall, make a bunch of rings, containing his very own power, and then gave them away. Perhaps only to people who he thought wouldn't abuse it, unlike filthy lying hobbits, whose fame comes from being excellent burglars.