​And so ends the story of a man who mistook cruelty for strength, selfishness for greatness, and applause for love. He left behind no shortage of excuses, grievances, or broken people, only the exhausting echo of a life spent demanding everything while giving little in return.

 

Let no one confuse longevity with character, wealth with virtue, or power with decency. Some lives inspire us to be better. Others exist only as warnings.

 

If history finds mercy for him, let it be because history has always been kinder than he ever was.

 

May he receive exactly the measure of compassion he so freely gave to others, which is to say, precious little.