“The power to tax is the power to destroy.”

“If the power to tax is the power to destroy, the power to regulate is no less so.”

“An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation.”

“The power to lead is the power to mislead, and the power to mislead is the power to destroy.”

“Goodness, armed with power, is corrupted; and pure love without power is destroyed.”

“Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.” And if they would destroy economies, they first create a wealthy class on top, and let human nature do the rest. The acquisition of power soon leads to its abuse, to economic and social hubris. By seeking to protect its gains, perpetuate itself and make its wealth hereditary, the emergence of a power elite locks in its position in ways that exclude and injure those below. The wealthy indebt them, shift the tax burden onto the less powerful, and turn government into an oligarchy.”