Fooling trusting people who cannot see these predators.

In ancient Persian times a priestly class known as the Magi would sit in judgement of people's crimes and rule by convincing their subject's through the use of illusion and deception that they were the all powerful, rightful authority.  The Magi had occulted considerable varied knowledge and skills, including keeping a perpetual fire burning (so people would literally come to them to start their fires in their home), of science, of human psychology, and had extensive medicinal knowledge. 

Today's Magistrate is a reflection of a modern version of these priests and their name historically originates with the Magi.  Not much changes.  Men's minds continue to be deluded by much the same type of illusion, a modern version, now to subjugate all to the authority of the state.  Those who desire the authority of the state to remain have learnt these principles originally applied by the Magi and have almost all eating from their hand.