A leader ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hatred.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A leader should inspire fear in a way that prevents hatred if love cannot be achieved.
- In plain terms
- If you can't be loved, make sure people fear you without hating you.
- What can you take from it?
- Balance fear with fairness to avoid hatred.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is fear a sustainable basis for leadership?
- How do you avoid hatred when being strict?
Another view
Fear-based leadership can undermine long-term loyalty and morale.
More from Niccolo Machiavelli
War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to e…
Permalink to quote #40 Men sooner forget being robbed of their fathers than of their patrimony.
Permalink to quote #42 Innovation makes enemies of all those who prospered under the old regime, and only lukewarm support is forthcoming from those who would prosper under the new.
Permalink to quote #39
Related quotes
I have always believed that success would be the inevitable result if the two services, the army and the navy, had fair play, and if we sent the right man to f…
Austen Henry LayardAusten Henry Layard quote #1 Hitler would go as white as a sheet and tightly clench his jaws, while his eyes would dilate. Everyone in his entourage would get panicky because these fits we…
Theodor MorellTheodor Morell quote #1 The stern dad stuff doesn't work anymore. You have to be level with the kids, you have to be a nice guy... The authority thing just doesn't work anymore. It's …
Ang LeeAng Lee quote #3