"The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him."
"Sometimes it has been of great moment while the fight is going on, to disseminate words that pronounce the enemies' captain to be dead, or to have been conquered by another part of the army. Many times this has given victory to him who used it."
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Source: Niccolo Machiavelli (2015). “The Prince”, p.80, Xist Publishing
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