Chapter 56: The difference between good and bad selfishness.
"An emperor must be the most selfish person."
"This is because every action a sentient being makes, whether good or bad, is born out of that selfishness."
"But what the emperor needs always to remember."
"Is the difference between good selfishness and bad."
"For it is this will be the difference between them either becoming a righteous, benevolent ruler...."
"Or a hated tyrant."
Flavius Crestier, 2nd Emperor of The Chavarian Empire.
....
"How can you say your actions born from your selfishness were good?"
Then old Chavarian emperor asked what was unknown to Flavius was that his arguments had a profound effect on the emperor and that what he said next would decide whether he would gain the crown prince title he so converted or not.
"There were not! But I can recognise that! As long as I can become crown prince, I will channel my endless selfishness and greed into improving the country for its citizens, having someone who can recognise whether their selfishness is good or bad...."
"Is exactly the qualification needed for a future emperor!"