Chapter 263: Inspire Dread, Avoid Hatred
This is the eternal question a ruler always ask themselves. To be feared or to be loved?
Any great ruler should strive to be both
However, it is difficult to unite these two traits in one person
And if one to choose, which one is safer, to Jayeux 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 succeed they are yours entirely
they will offer you their blood, property, life, and children, when the need is far distant; but when it approaches they turn against you.
And that ruler who, relying entirely on their promises and benevolence, has neglected other precautions, is 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, and in time of need cannot be relied upon
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 preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.
Nevertheless, a wise ruler in Jayeux opinion ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hatred
This is very important. Jayeux did not dismiss the threat that his teacher taught him about tyrant
And that is that tyrants is always overthrown.