Fear of evil is greater than the evil itself. - Niccolò Machiavelli

So to hold it they were compelled to dismantle many cities in the country, for in truth there is no safe way to retain them otherwise than by ruining them. And he who becomes master of a city accustomed to freedom and does not destroy it, may expect to be destroyed by it, for in rebellion it has always the watchword of liberty and its ancient privileges as a rallying point, which neither time nor benefits will ever cause it to forget. And whatever you may do or provide against, they never forget that name or their privileges unless they are disunited or dispersed, but at every chance they immediately rally to them,

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

In peace one is despoiled by the mercenaries, in war by one's enemies.