[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fl9mGV7BqMKIHb4PE0ibsN2g4GTAe3YBZzBbpxfkuti0":3,"$fhfj9LuKzDoZjQ-09A1ykT1lRqLFxJPMWWRRLg57Tf0g":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},90264,"Robert Payne","R",33,null,"robert-payne",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":122},[14,27,38,49,60,71,82,88,99,110],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},2250696,"The small Hitlers are around us every day.",4,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},5234253,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},1715,"relationship",{"id":28,"quote_text":29,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":30,"source":31,"quote_tag":32,"commentary":9},2250688,"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.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[33],{"id":34,"tag":35},5234251,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},4369,"kings",{"id":39,"quote_text":40,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":41,"source":42,"quote_tag":43,"commentary":9},2250682,"It is almost a general rule that nations do not decline gradually. Instead they fall abruptly from their greatest heights.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[44],{"id":45,"tag":46},5234243,{"id":47,"tag_name":48},3980,"fall",{"id":50,"quote_text":51,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":52,"source":53,"quote_tag":54,"commentary":9},2250678,"Historically the first philosopher to enquire deeply into the nature of corruption in society was Ibn Khaldun (1322-1406), whose wandering life was largely spent in the northern littoral of Africa at a time when kingdoms and sultanates were crumbling.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[55],{"id":56,"tag":57},5234235,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},21426,"firsts",{"id":61,"quote_text":62,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":63,"source":64,"quote_tag":65,"commentary":9},2250672,"Long before the empire had reached its greatest extent, the Romans were bored by it.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[66],{"id":67,"tag":68},5234229,{"id":69,"tag_name":70},23120,"empires",{"id":72,"quote_text":73,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":74,"source":75,"quote_tag":76,"commentary":9},2250665,"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.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[77],{"id":78,"tag":79},5234226,{"id":80,"tag_name":81},8303,"military",{"id":83,"quote_text":84,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":85,"source":86,"quote_tag":87,"commentary":9},2250658,"The corrupt, when found out, become especially good moralists.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":89,"quote_text":90,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":91,"source":92,"quote_tag":93,"commentary":9},2250649,"The corrupt man is nearly always rootless, deeply aware of his rootlessness.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[94],{"id":95,"tag":96},5234209,{"id":97,"tag_name":98},326,"men",{"id":100,"quote_text":101,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":102,"source":103,"quote_tag":104,"commentary":9},2250645,"The United States is dangerously close to being a plutocracy. A third of the private wealth is owned by less than 5 percent of the population.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[105],{"id":106,"tag":107},5234204,{"id":108,"tag_name":109},10813,"united-states",{"id":111,"quote_text":112,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":113,"source":114,"quote_tag":115,"commentary":121},2250638,"For domination has nothing whatsoever to do with good government, and power as an end in itself destroys good government.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[116],{"id":117,"tag":118},5234199,{"id":119,"tag_name":120},31083,"ends","**The Backstory**\nRobert Payne, a British author and historian, penned these words in his 1946 book \"The Life and Times of Peter the Great.\" This quote reflects Payne's concerns about the dangers of unchecked power and the corrupting influence it can have on those who wield it, a theme that resonated with him during World War II and the rise of totalitarian regimes.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nPayne's statement highlights the counter-intuitive truth that the pursuit of power and domination can actually undermine the very institutions and structures that are meant to ensure good governance. By prioritizing power as an end in itself, leaders may inadvertently create a system where their own interests are served at the expense of the common good.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider the potential unintended consequences of your actions as a leader or decision-maker. Ask yourself: \"Am I prioritizing short-term gains or personal interests over the long-term well-being of my organization, community, or team?\" By acknowledging and addressing this dynamic, you can work to create a more sustainable and equitable system.",{"currentPage":123,"totalPages":17,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":124},1,10]