"The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him."
"Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less offense; benefits ought to be handed ought drop by drop, so that they may be relished the more."
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Source: Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Moore (2010). “Machiavelli, More & Luther”, p.78, Cosimo, Inc.
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