Proverbs 29:4

"The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it."

A policy of excessive taxation has usually been the primary cause of every fallen government in the history of the world. "A king by justice gives stability to a land, but he whose exactions are excessive ruins it."[2] This rendition is applicable, not merely to excessive taxation, but to bribery by the `exaction of gifts.' "By justice a king gives stability to the land, but one who exacts gifts ruins it."[3]