That those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it is a well know idiom. Our recent problems (in the US and Europe) re: debt and other social problems, seem to bear this out:

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed les Rome become bankrupt. people must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance." Cicero, 55BCE

"Taxes are too high and getting higher. Barbarians come over our borders unabated to enjoy the benefits of our country. Government officials are corrupt and spend our national treasure to keep the common mob satisfied. Government regulations are strangling commerce and the public will to defend the empire is disappearing! The moral standard of the populace and our leaders has degenerated greatly." Roman Legate (General) in Britain, to his adjutant, 396 CE

A very good point, there, my friend...