Väl sagt genom tiderna

"There is nothing more conducive to the destruction of a nation, whether it be republic or monarchy, than the lack of men of wisdom or intellect. When a republic has many citizens, or a monarchy many ministers, of high quality it quickly recovers from those losses that are brought about by missfortune. When such men are lacking, it falls into the very depths of disgrace. That is why I deplore the present state of the Empire which, having produced so many excellent men in the past, has now been reduced to such a level of sterility that today´s goveners posses nothing to elevate them above those whom they govern." John Cabtacuzenus återgivet med anledning av Republikanernas presidentkandidatsdebatt.