“A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his …” — Niccolo Machiavelli

The distinction between children and adults, while probably useful for some purposes, is at bottom a specious one, I feel. There are only individual egos, crazy for love.

Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed.

The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.

For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those disgraceful things which a prince must guard against.