For domination has nothing whatsoever to do with good government, and power as an end in itself destroys good government.

Fragmentation occurs when a civilization is in decline.

All is forgiven to kings and popes. History grants them immunity, even a full pardon, even when they admit their crimes and glory in them.

The second corruption of the state is oligarchy (oligos = few), in which the military elite is narrowed down to a few ruling families of immense wealth and prestige, who now openly flaunt their wealth and possessions.

The corrupt, when found out, become especially good moralists.

Uncorrupted man, with God's blessing, advances across the fields of the universe as though he were walking down a country lane.

Naked power has its limitations, since power is a generator of corruption and corruption in its turn tends to dilute the effectiveness of power.