Wisdom ...

the reward of mental suffering?

Crazy isn't it that we only learn effectively through pain!
The easier a lesson is learned, the sooner it is forgotten.

Is the ultimate destination...

Democracy?

Consider this: There have always been Power Points in the world.
The number of these have shrunk considerably over the millenias / centuries.

The last two collapsed upon the fall of the Berlin wall!

So where does the power now lie? With the people?