What makes people fall from their pedestal?

I have wondered many times if there is a common thread among the people to whom I have seen lose power and/or prestige.

Complex analysis, I told myself.

Then, this morning, I came across a thought by Jean de la Bruyère, which I think will help indeed.

Listen to this.

You see men falling from an eminent position
because of the same defects that had brought them up there.

Now try to think about one or more people whose fortunes you have had the opportunity to follow and who you have seen, despite themselves, fall from the pedestal.

Do you find that the French philosopher’s thinking helps to identify the reasons for their decline?