The Machiavellian secret most people ignore
Vicky Quinn Fraser
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"It is better to be feared than loved."
The Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland said that...
But of course, she was misquoting Machiavelli, who actually said, "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."
Machiavelli's a funny sausage and inspires all sorts of amusing pronouncements from business experts who've half-understood him or who are looking for soundbites.
His books are always either hated or loved and people shriek about them being totally hardcore and rooted in utterly ruthless fiendishness.
The adjective "Machiavellian" means "cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics".
It's led to a whole bunch of people being, basically, douchecanoes and then justifying it by saying it's a means to an end.
That whole "better to be feared than loved" is nonsense. Without the rest of the quote, which you don't see often, it's tosh.
Obviously I'm not privy to Machiavelli's innermost thoughts but I think he meant something different. I think he knew perfectly well love is stronger than fear and it comes from within.
Those who love you will stick by you no matter what.