Benefits Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli
“Well used are those cruelties (if it is permitted to speak well of evil) that are carried out in a single stroke, done out of necessity to protect oneself, and are not continued but are instead converted into the greatest possible benefits for the subjects. Badly used are those cruelties which. although being few at the outset, grow with the passing time instead of disappearing. Those who follow the first method can remedy their condition with God and with men; the others cannot possibly survive.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: The Prince, 1532
Strategic cruelty can be justified when it yields greater good, but repeated small cruelties erode stability and trust.
In simple terms: One‑off harsh actions may help; ongoing oppression harms.
Key Takeaway
Use decisive, limited force wisely, avoid habitual cruelty.
Themes
politics
ethics
power
strategy
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- war
- political reform
- law enforcement
- crisis management
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
statecraft
moral calculus
Questions to Reflect On
- When is force truly necessary?
- What safeguards prevent abuse of power?
A Different Perspective
Moral justification of cruelty can be abused, leading to tyranny.
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
