“The arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome fall.”

Cicero, 55 BC 

So, evidently we’ve learned nothing at all over the past 2,071 years.

More from Cicero. Again, regardless of the time, not much changes.

• Nothing is so unbelievable that oratory cannot make it acceptable. –Cicero
• There is nothing so absurd that it has not been said by some philosopher. – Cicero
• O, the times! O, the morals! – Cicero
• For there is but one essential justice which cements society, and one law which establishes this justice. This law is right reason, which is the true rule of all commandments and prohibitions. Whoever neglects this law, whether written or unwritten, is necessarily unjust and wicked. – Cicero