"Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear"
- Niccolo Machiavelli
About this Quote
This quote is drawn out from the well-known publication "The Prince" by Niccolo Machiavelli. In this book, Machiavelli suggests that a ruler should be feared by his people to maintain his authority. However, he also recommends that it is better for a leader to be enjoyed and also been afraid preferably. The above quote highlights the truth that individuals are less likely to upset a person they enjoy out of the concern of losing their love. On the other side, individuals are more likely to offend a person they fear with no remorse. Therefore, a ruler needs to strive to inspire love in his people to have their loyalty and also restrict the possibility of being betrayed or overthrown.
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite"
"All the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and so on, are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbor as yourself"