Augustine's City of God

But the worshippers and admirers of these gods delight in imitating
their scandalous iniquities, and are nowise concerned that the
republic be less depraved and licentious.  Only let it remain
undefeated, they say, only let it flourish and abound in resources;
let it be glorious by its victories, or still better, secure in peace;
and what matters it to us?  This is our concern, that every man be
able to increase his wealth so as to supply his daily prodigalities,
and so that the powerful may subject the weak for their own purposes.
Let the poor court the rich for a living, and that under their
protection they may enjoy a sluggish tranquillity; and let the rich
abuse the poor as their dependants, to minister to their pride.  Let
the people applaud not those who protect their interests, but those
who provide them with pleasure.  Let no severe duty be commanded, no
impurity forbidden.  Let kings estimate their prosperity, not by the
righteousness, but by the servility of their subjects.  Let the
provinces stand loyal to the kings, not as moral guides, but as lords
of their possessions and purveyors of their pleasures; not with a
hearty reverence, but a crooked and servile fear.  Let the laws take
cognizance rather of the injury done to another man’s property, than
of that done to one’s own person.  If a man be a nuisance to his
neighbor, or injure his property, family, or person, let him be
actionable; but in his own affairs let everyone with impunity do what
he will in company with his own family, and with those who willingly
join him.  Let there be a plentiful supply of public prostitutes for
every one who wishes to use them, but specially for those who are too
poor to keep one for their private use.  Let there be erected houses
of the largest and most ornate description:  in these let there be
provided the most sumptuous banquets, where every one who pleases may,
by day or night, play, drink, vomit, dissipate.  Let there be
everywhere heard the rustling of dancers, the loud, immodest laughter
of the theatre; let a succession of the most cruel and the most
voluptuous pleasures maintain a perpetual excitement.  If such
happiness is distasteful to any, let him be branded as a public enemy;
and if any attempt to modify or put an end to it let him be silenced,
banished, put an end to.  Let these be reckoned the true gods, who
procure for the people this condition of things, and preserve it when
once possessed.  Let them be worshipped as they wish; let them demand
whatever games they please, from or with their own worshippers; only
let them secure that such felicity be not imperilled by foe, plague,
or disaster of any kind.  What sane man would compare a republic such
as this, I will not say to the Roman empire, but to the palace of
Sardanapalus, the ancient king who was so abandoned to pleasures, that
he caused it to be inscribed on his tomb, that now that he was dead,
he possessed only those things which he had swallowed and consumed by
his appetites while alive?  If these men had such a king as this, who,
while self-indulgent, should lay no severe restraint on them, they
would more enthusiastically consecrate to him a temple and a flamen
than the ancient Romans did to Romulus.