I think Diocletian was just sad and disappointed. He had spent a long time trying to set up a system that would work by itself, to fix the problems so that he could just relax. Then the moment he steps away it all falls apart. He comes back to try to put it back together, sees that it's hopeless and just gives up. Basically, he got black-pilled.
Yeah, I know.
Suppose I could've been more "specific" and just pointed out that even in the best-case scenario for me, I'll probably start off disappointed as I watch society implode from afar — at least, before the apathy sets in and I pretty much stop caring, as I tend to my own backyard for the rest of my days.
Doubt I'll be a public official of any sort, though, so I'll at least be spared Diocletian's humiliation as he watched the system he so painstakingly set up disintegrate in real time. On the other hand, part of me will probably be sad that I either didn't or couldn't do more to salvage things by being in there myself, despite my strong, ah ...
distaste for politicians and what they do. But anyway, sorry for prattling on too long.
Here, have a meme to take your mind off of it: