The quote was penned over 2000 years ago.
It’s a timeless observation that applies equally to modern of elitists like Justin Trudeau and Nancy Pelosi …
"At first, the love of money, and then that of power began to prevail, and these became, as it were, the sources of every evil. For avarice subverted honesty, integrity and other honourable principles and, in their stead, inculcated pride, inhumanity, contempt of religion and general venality.
Ambition prompted many to become deceitful; to keep one thing concealed in the breast and another ready on the tongue; to estimate friendships and enmities, not by their worth, but according to interest; and to carry rather a specious countenance than an honest heart.
These vices first advanced but slowly, and were sometimes restrained by correction; but afterward, when their infection had spread like a pestilence, the state was entirely changed, and the government, from being the most equitable and praiseworthy, became the most rapacious and insupportable."
Sallust, Conspiracy of Cataline
To think that every elitist was once, long ago, an innocent child. It’s hard to imagine that any child could eventually reach the heights of wealth, power and malevolency that Justin and Nancy have attained.