“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both”
— Niccolo Machiavelli
Simplified Meaning:
Sometimes, it's more effective to have people afraid of you than to have them love you. Imagine a boss at work: if everyone loves the boss but doesn’t take them seriously, they might not follow the rules. On the other hand, if the boss is strict and people are a bit scared of getting in trouble, they will likely do their jobs well. History shows this with leaders like Julius Caesar; his power came from making people fear his authority, ensuring they listened to him. In life, this idea can mean that sometimes you need to be firm and make tough decisions, even if it means not everyone will like you. Balancing fear and love is tough, but in situations where you can’t have both, being respected and a little feared can ensure things run smoothly.
