"The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him."
"Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be against his interest, and when the reasons which made him bind himself no longer exist. If men were all good, this precept would not be a good one; but as they are bad, and would not observe their faith with you, so you are not bound to keep faith with them."
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Source: Niccolo Machiavelli (2017). “The Prince”, p.56, Knickerbocker Classics
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