Those words carry value and meaning only if "civilized" is understood as being good, happy and beneficial to all citizens. In many (if not all) lands taxes are paid, but the result has not been a society of content and happy citizens. Taxes are often misused, misspent, or siphoned off for weapons of war or some pet projects. Citizens who pay the taxes are not always better off.

Kings and rulers set the rate of taxes, and generally taxes continue to rise instead of decline. The wise ruler Solomon fell into the trap of failing to consider the society and the definition of civilized. At the end of his rule, the land was ruined and had fallen into decay and discontent (1 Kings 12:10-11). There is a civilized society coming. It will have Jesus Christ as the ruler—the King of Kings. His rule will be fair, just, kind and loving. It will be a rule that truly will be for the people. It will not be "by the people" because we have proven that rule like that cannot last long. It will be ruled by the Divine who truly serves mankind. There has never been such a government on earth—but it is coming.