Yes, corruption has always existed. That does not mean that every individual or the majority were always corrupt.

There was a vast difference between old wealth and new wealth. New wealth tended to arrive at its wealth by dishonest (and sometimes barbaric methods). However, children growing up in wealth used to have the kind of upbringing and education that made honest people of them.

This was primarily because all the old education systems were run by the churches, and so it was ingrained. There was shame attached to being caught doing something wrong.

I grew up in that system, Tony. My sister didn't. We had very different outlooks.