“It is much safer to be feared than loved”
— Niccolo Machiavelli
Simplified Meaning:
People are less likely to challenge or take advantage of someone they are scared of compared to someone they care about. Think of a strict teacher who enforces rules very strictly and a friendly teacher who is lenient. Students might behave better around the strict teacher because they fear punishment. With the friendly teacher, they might misbehave, knowing they’ll get away with it. In history, leaders like dictators often used fear to control people and maintain power, as everyone was too afraid to oppose them. This idea suggests that fear can provide more control and security than affection or kindness. However, relying on fear can also lead to resentment and lack of true loyalty. So, someone might use fear to keep order and protect themselves, but it's important to understand the potential downsides.
