--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is far safer to be feared than loved" description: "\"“It is far safer to be feared than loved”\" — Niccolò Machiavelli" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbb/niccolo-machiavelli-368_fear_it-is-far-safer-to-be-feared-than-loved_1038758.jpg" --- # It is far safer to be feared than loved ![“It is far safer to be feared than loved” quote by Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbb/niccolo-machiavelli-368_fear_it-is-far-safer-to-be-feared-than-loved_1038758.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbb/niccolo-machiavelli-368_fear_it-is-far-safer-to-be-feared-than-loved_1038758.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbb/niccolo-machiavelli-368_fear_it-is-far-safer-to-be-feared-than-loved_1038758.jpg) > ““It is far safer to be feared than loved”” [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that being feared is safer than being loved, as fear is more reliable for control. **In simple terms:** Fear offers more reliable control than love. Key Takeaway Consider the trade‑off between fear and affection. Themes power leadership politics Mood cautious analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - government - management - personal relationships Key Concepts human nature security authority Questions to Reflect On - When is fear justified in leadership? - How can love be cultivated without losing authority? A Different Perspective Fear can breed resentment and instability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Far Safer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/far-safer-2364099/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Feared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feared/) [Feared Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feared-loved-272304/) [Safer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safer/) [Safer Feared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safer-feared-904570/) ## Related quotes > [Safer to be feared than loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/safer-to-be-feared-than-loved/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [“It is safer to be feared than loved”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/machiavelli-the-prince-nookbook/it-is-safer-to-be-feared-than-loved/) [Machiavelli The Prince NOOKbook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/machiavelli-the-prince-nookbook/) > [Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than to be loved when one of the two must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/since-it-is-difficult-to-join-them-together-it-is-safer-to-be-feared/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/since-love-and-fear-can-hardly-exist-together-if-we-must-choose/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“And…” Søren continued, “it’s safer to be feared than loved. At least where I’m concerned.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-reisz/and-s-ren-continued-it-s-safer-to-be-feared-than-loved-at-least-where/) [Tiffany Reisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-reisz/) > [My view is that it is desirable to be both loved and feared; but it is difficult to achieve both and, if one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/my-view-is-that-it-is-desirable-to-be-both-loved-and-feared-but-it-is/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Because fear and ove can hardly co exist together,if we must chose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/because-fear-and-ove-can-hardly-co-exist-together-if-we-must-chose/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [It is much safer for the prince to be feared than loved, but he ought to avoid making himself hated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/it-is-much-safer-for-the-prince-to-be-feared-than-loved-but-he-ought/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/it-is-much-safer-to-be-feared-than-loved-because-love-is-preserved-by/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [America will be far safer if we reduce the chances of a terrorist attack in one of our cities than if we diminish the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/america-will-be-far-safer-if-we-reduce-the-chances-of-a-terrorist/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [Hollywood is a far safer place to work than working abroad, because of the skill level, and because of the safety considerations that experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rhys-davies/hollywood-is-a-far-safer-place-to-work-than-working-abroad-because-of/) [John Rhys-Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rhys-davies/) > [In any great organization it is far, far safer to be wrong with the majority than to be right alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/in-any-great-organization-it-is-far-far-safer-to-be-wrong-with-the/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [“Returning to the question of being feared or loved, I conclude that since men love at their own will and fear at the will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/returning-to-the-question-of-being-feared-or-loved-i-conclude-that/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Men are ‘ungrateful, fickle, simulators and deceivers, avoiders of danger, and greedy for gain. While you work for their benefit, they are completely yours,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-are-ungrateful-fickle-simulators-and-deceivers-avoiders-of-danger/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“And here comes in the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It might perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/and-here-comes-in-the-question-whether-it-is-better-to-be-loved/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## More by Niccolò Machiavelli > [Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous, for they know neither how to be entirely good nor entirely bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-generally-decide-upon-a-middle-course-which-is-most-hazardous-for/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/because-there-are-three-classes-of-intellects-one-which-comprehends/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [It is the duty of a man of honor to teach others the good which he has not been able to do himself because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/it-is-the-duty-of-a-man-of-honor-to-teach-others-the-good-which-he/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Anyone who believes that new benefits make men of high station forget old injuries deceives himself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/anyone-who-believes-that-new-benefits-make-men-of-high-station-forget/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [He who has once begun to live by rapine always finds reasons for taking what is not his.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-has-once-begun-to-live-by-rapine-always-finds-reasons-for/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Everyone who wants to know what will happen ought to examine what has happened: everything in this world in any epoch has their replicas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/everyone-who-wants-to-know-what-will-happen-ought-to-examine-what-has/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Speaking generally, men are ungrateful, fickle, hypocritical, fearful odanger and covetous ogain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/speaking-generally-men-are-ungrateful-fickle-hypocritical-fearful/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-is-nothing-as-likely-to-succeed-as-what-the-enemy-believes-you/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced by the things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/for-the-great-majority-of-mankind-are-satisfied-with-appearance-as/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/that-prince-is-highly-esteemed-who-conveys-this-impression-of-himself/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Anyone who studies present and ancient affairs will easily see how in all cities and all peoples there still exist, and have always existed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/anyone-who-studies-present-and-ancient-affairs-will-easily-see-how-in/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/i-believe-that-it-is-possible-for-one-to-praise-without-concern-any/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Men are always averse to enterprises in which they foresee difficulties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-are-always-averse-to-enterprises-in-which-they-foresee/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“He who causes another to become powerful ruins himself, for he brings such a power into being either by design or by force, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-causes-another-to-become-powerful-ruins-himself-for-he-brings/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [One never finds anything perfectly pure and ... exempt from danger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/one-never-finds-anything-perfectly-pure-and-exempt-from-danger/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) [Explore all 590 Niccolò Machiavelli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## More Fear quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. For eighteen months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-ashley/that-horrible-stinging-sensation-returned-the-muscles-behind-my-eyes/) [Devon Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-ashley/) > [“...Often that which most we fear births the resolve that spurs us on to altitudes we could not have achieved, had we continued walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-t-anderson/often-that-which-most-we-fear-births-the-resolve-that-spurs-us-on-to/) [M.T. 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But they mix in the middle.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-french/fear-and-desire-for-pleasure-aggressiveness-comes-out-of-fear/) [Marilyn French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-french/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-b-elion/don-t-be-afraid-of-hard-work-nothing-worthwhile-comes-easily-don-t/) [Gertrude B. 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