I dunno, LH, he may have also believed he was giving them a "wing up." He may have thought that separating people from their money was teaching them important spiritual lessons. He pretty obviously came to believe in the myth of himself - but that can be said for a lot of public personalities. It is entirely possible to be a religious zealot and an egomaniac.

Be that as it may, I am certain there are many good people who are grieving his passing.