"A prince who will not undergo the difficulty of understanding must undergo the danger of trusting"

In the quote, "A prince who will not undergo the difficulty of understanding must go through the danger of trusting", George Savile succinctly resolves the duties and potential risks of leadership, highlighting the importance of understanding and discernment. The term "prince" here functions as a metaphor for anyone in a leadership or decision-making position, instead of being limited solely to royalty.

The phrase "go through the trouble of understanding" acknowledges the fundamental obstacles in obtaining understanding, understanding complex issues, and making notified decisions. Understanding needs effort, commitment, and often, a willingness to face uneasy realities or look into complex matters that may not have simple options. This process is neither simple nor always enjoyable, yet it is important for effective leadership. By genuinely comprehending a scenario, a leader can make wise, informed choices that benefit their domain or constituents.

On the other hand, "the risk of trusting" highlights the dangers included when leaders rely on others' opinions and judgments without a complete comprehension of the circumstances. Trust is an important aspect of any leadership function, as leaders normally can not gather or process all essential information by themselves. However, extreme reliance on others can be harmful if those others are ill-informed, have hidden programs, or make errors in judgment.

Savile's quote serves as a cautionary statement about the balance between understanding and trust. Leaders who shirk the difficult task of acquiring their own understanding might find themselves at the grace of advisors and external impacts, which may not constantly line up with their or their followers' benefits. In this light, the quote encourages leaders to accept the concerns of understanding and important believing to prevent being vulnerable to misguided trust. By doing so, they are much better equipped to lead successfully and avoid the mistakes that develop from uninformed decision-making.