Well-Worn 40-Year-Old Copy From High School

Didn't read all comments, just the top few and then searched for "Elements." Glad to see it repeatedly mentioned, and that I don't have to be the one to link to the online version. Still keep my well-worn 40-year-old copy from high school near the desk. But I never did get that one rule, "Be concise!"

O, illiterate stuttering clusterfu¢k of a catastrophically miserable failure of Democracy!
What were the Most Highs high on when ruling in the kingdoms of men that day?