Surely it is better that the immoral learn morality through adversity than that the moral forget morality in prosperity. - Isaac Asimov

Again, all over the Galaxy trade is stagnating. People think that because there are no rebellions at the moment and because things are quiet, that all is well and that the difficulties of the past few centuries are over. However, political infighting, rebellions, and unrest are all signs of a certain vitality, too. But now there's a general weariness. It's quiet, not because people are satisfied and prosperous, but because they're tired and have given up.

I mean that it is an easy matter for him to instil into a capable general, say, the emotion of utter loyalty to the Mule and complete belief in the Mule's victory. His generals are emotionally controlled. They can not betray him; they can not weaken – and the control is permanent. His most capable enemies become his most faithful subordinates. The warlord of Kalgan surrenders his planet and becomes his viceroy for the Foundation.

Advertisement! A device for forcing the unwilling into line. Did it matter to a ground vehicle manufacturer whether a given individual felt an original or spontaneous desire for his product? If the prospect (that was the word) could be artificially persuaded or cajoled into feeling that desire and acting upon it, would that not be just as well?