Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli
Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them they take vengeance, but if you injure them greatly they are unable to retaliate, so that the injury done to a man ought to be such that vengeance cannot be feared.
Summary
This quote, often attributed to Niccolò Machiavelli, suggests that when dealing with men, one should either treat them with kindness and generosity or completely eliminate them as a threat. If you only offend someone, they will seek revenge, but if you inflict significant harm, they may be powerless to retaliate. Therefore, Machiavelli believes that if you must harm someone, it should be to such an extent that they are incapable of seeking revenge. This notion stems from the concept that instilling fear in others can help maintain one's own power and safety.
Topics
Men
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