Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved - Niccolò Machiavelli

Because fear and ove can hardly co exist together,if we must chose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.

If they lacked the opportunity, the strength of their sprit would have been sapped; if they had lacked ability, the opportunity would have been wasted.

Concerning this, it should be noted that men must be either caressed or wiped out; because they will avenge minor injuries, but cannot do so for grave ones. Any harm done to a man must be of the kind that removes any fear of revenge.