I've read this book many times throughout my life and my biggest take away is that power corrupts and fear is a temporary motivator. I am a socialist, and I wish it weren't true but I can see throughout history that people who rose to power will do anything to hold on to it. Sociopaths rule the world because they don't care who they have to remove to be on top and stay there. Greed is the ultimate downfall of society. Also, confessions made under duress are usually false.