So if it’s an empire you want, I can show you how to build an empire. But I see no reason to do it like a bungling fool. Why would I drop nuclear bombs on property that will one day be part of my own empire? Why would I build an empire in a way that would make people hate me? That means I will have to spend all my hard earned wealth constantly defending my gains… arresting people and building prisons. What a waste after all that work.
The problem is that these would-be builders of empire have no imagination or finesse. They haven’t the sense to look at history and see that what they are doing was already tried before and failed. They repeat the same stupidities like greedy idiot lemmings. They make war, eat up resources, and leave ruin and animosity in their wake. They lie, plunder, cheat, and hide behind secrets… wasting resources, engendering distrust, being ineffective. Building an Empire might actually be a good idea if, it weren’t always being pursued by idiots and fools.
Even those who get rich lighting the fire of war, end up depressed and consumed with guilt. They must live their lives in the shadow of lies, hiding their methods and accomplishments even from their own children, and even then all they are ever able to enjoy are only the accoutrements of wealth… they never accumulate real wealth… they don’t even know what it is.
The problem is, these empire builders really don’t understand the power of intelligence, creativity, or wisdom. They could all be richer than they are, admired and loved. They crave personal power but joy eludes them. Theirs is the work of fools and pretenders.
Their empire is crumbling. One day mine will rise from the ashes.
Truth, honor, dignity, compassion, courage, love.
