“To much success often takes a person to a place where his/her character cannot sustain them...
“Therefore a prince {Leader}, so long as he keeps his subjects united and loyal, ought not to mind the reproach of cruelty that comes from others; because with a few examples of mercy he will appear more merciful than those who, through too much mercy, allow disorders to arise, from which follow murders or robberies. for these are in comparison to the tyrannical prince [leader] depicted as neglect; injuring the whole of people, whilst those executions which originate with a clement prince will offend not the masses but rather just the individual or those directly effected only.”
“Nevertheless he ought to be slow to believe (leaving every opportunity to change reality) and to act so that he’s reassured of achieving his actions, nor should he himself show fear, but proceed in a temperate manner with prudence and humanity, so as too not project to much confidence making him appear incautious or by appearing overly cautious so that it builds distrust in his followers rendering him no longer suitable for leadership.
Thus, the infamous question arises: “whether it be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved?” Of course its desired that the prince or leader be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, However it is seen much safer to be feared than loved, when either of the two traits must be dispensed.
This is a principle of governing that is to be asserted in the general body of men:
“The Prince”
Niccolò Machiavelli
https://books.apple.com/ca/book/the-prince/id434749890
.
“Nevertheless he ought to be slow to believe (leaving every opportunity to change reality) and to act so that he’s reassured of achieving his actions, nor should he himself show fear, but proceed in a temperate manner with prudence and humanity, so as too not project to much confidence making him appear incautious or by appearing overly cautious so that it builds distrust in his followers rendering him no longer suitable for leadership.
Thus, the infamous question arises: “whether it be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved?” Of course its desired that the prince or leader be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, However it is seen much safer to be feared than loved, when either of the two traits must be dispensed.
This is a principle of governing that is to be asserted in the general body of men:
- that they are ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, covetous, and as long as you succeed they are yours entirely;
- they will offer you their blood, property, life, and children, as is said above, when the need is far distant {times of ease}; but when it approaches they turn against you {times of difficulty}.
- And the prince who relies entirely on their promises, has neglected his precautions, and thus maybe ruined; because friendships that are obtained by payments, and not by greatness or nobility of mind, may indeed be earned, but they are not secured…”
“The Prince”
Niccolò Machiavelli
https://books.apple.com/ca/book/the-prince/id434749890
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Holy Quran 4:138 |
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Holy Quran 4:171 |