Embrisk

Just had a thought. What if as people are affected by the shards they pick up, the shards are (in the tiniest degree,) affected by the people who hold them. Just as holding ruin for a thousand years will corrupt a good man, a little piece of goodness is added to ruin. A tiny, insignificant amount. Not enough to alter the intent of the shard power. However, when combined back to make a balance between other shards, that small amount makes all the difference, and it becomes easier to preform actions for the benefit of people, instead of inaction due to conflicting powers.

Maybe this is what Hoid seems to want good men to hold the powers of the shards.