I think peanutbutter had it right. This is about someone who had it all and lost it because getting there was worth whatever you had to do. You can lose an empire...either a nation or in business. I know because I am that man. The business empire is gone, I did whatever I had to in order acheive my goal. (The lies, watching your enemy express fear and the people behind the scenes that wanted your head). The missionaries are those that worked for you and trusted you and you left them unsupported.