"Thus it is well to seem merciful,..." - Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli
Thus it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, sincere, religious, and also to be so; but you must have the mind so disposed that when it is needful to be otherwise you may be able to change to the opposite qualities.
More by Niccolo Machiavelli
“A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.”
“The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the times does not.”
“I am firmly convinced, therefore, that to set up a republic which is to last a long time, the way to set about it is to constitute it as Sparta and Venice were constituted; to place it in a strong position, and so to fortify it that no one will dream of taking it by a sudden assault; and, on the other hand, not to make it so large as to appear formidable to its neighbors. It should in this way be able to enjoy its form of government for a long time. For war is made on a commonwealth for two reasons: to subjugate it, and for fear of being subjugated by it.”
More on Leadership
“When somebody tells you he or she is leading something, a fair question is, "What is your vision?"”
“To know how to distinguish the agitation arising from covetousness, from the agitation arising from principles, to fight the one and aid the other, in this lies the genius and the power of great revolutionary leaders.”
“The best leaders are humble enough to realize their victories depend upon their people.”