It is almost a general rule that nations do not decline gradually. Instead they fall abruptly from their greatest heights. — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
The game of power is played remorselessly by men who have not the slightest knowledge of, or interest in, the way ordinary people live,… — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
In the Middle Ages the king offered protection to his subjects in return for their loyalty, and the subjects were doubly protected, for the… — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
Long before the empire had reached its greatest extent, the Romans were bored by it. — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
It is no more rational to have lawyers in positions of power than it would be to have garbage collectors in positions of power.… — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
All is forgiven to kings and popes. History grants them immunity, even a full pardon, even when they admit their crimes and glory in… — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
A nation's wealth is too serious a matter to be left to the wealthy. The riches of a nation belong to all, to be… — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
For domination has nothing whatsoever to do with good government, and power as an end in itself destroys good government. — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
Nietzsche's accomplishment is that he permits us to see corruption from the inside. — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
Naked power has its limitations, since power is a generator of corruption and corruption in its turn tends to dilute the effectiveness of power. — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
At the heart of the mystery of corruption lies the desire of one man to impose his will on others to the largest possible… — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
Corruption appears to be a universal phenomenon that lays its own imperious claims on the world, and therefore it is the duty of all… — Robert Payne Copy Share Image
