I came across the following critical appraisal of Rome by Orosius and I was instantly struck by the amazing parallel between the spirit and situation of ancient Rome and some modern (developed) countries:
"...cum ipsa Roma turpi adigente inopia praecipuas sui partes auctionabatur..., cum quasi inexplebilis uenter cuncta consumens et semper esuriens cunctis urbibus, quas miseras faciebat, ipsa miserior nihil relinquens nihil habebat et stimulo domesticae famis ad continuationem bellicae inquietudinis trudebatur."
- sui partes auctionabatur: I would think that in modern times this includes selling traditional fundamental values like compassion to suffering people, respect of freedom, kindness.
- inexplebilis uenter cuncta consumens et semper esuriens: the amount of energy needed in some modern countries is amazing, and yet they are always hungry - "an insatiable stomach"
- continuationem bellicae inquietudinis: in a state of unrest that war engenders. The war machinery overseas is feeding the "insatiable stomach" at home, but inevitably also spreading the spirit of soldiers at home. These countries are selling, abandoning, forgetting their own fundamental principles. A war rhetoric has been installed at home.
whoso readeth, let him understand
References
Historiarum Adversum Paganos Pauli Orosii Liber Quintus, 17, 28-29.
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