As I was doing some research, I came across this famous passage. I don’t have
the time now to discuss "The Prince" in any detail with you (a future essay?)
but I’ll leave with this passage.
It is both true and untrue… but that is the way of such things.
‘"Concerning Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether it is Better to be
Loved than Feared
Upon this a question arises: whether it is better to be loved than
feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be
both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, it is much
safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed
with. Because this is to be asserted in general of men, that they are
ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, covetous, and as long as you successed
they are yours entirely; they will offer you their blood, property, life, and
children, as is said above, when the need is far distant; but when it
approaches they turn against you. And that prince who, relying entirely on
their promises, has neglected other precautions, is ruined; because
friendships that are obtained by payments, and not by nobility or greatness of
mind, may indeed be earned, but they are not secured, and in time of need
cannot be relied upon; and men have less scruple in offending one who is
beloved than one who is feared, for love is preserved by the link of
obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity
for their advantage; but fear preserved you by a dread of punishment which
never fails.
Nevertheless a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he
does not win love, he avoids hatred; because he can endure very well being
feared whilst he is not hated, which will always be as long as he abstains
from the property of his citizens and subjects and from their women." –
Sourcebook Machiavelli The Prince [excerpts]