---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Princes should delegate to others the…"
description: "\"Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours.\" — Niccolo Machiavelli"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f82/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_princes-should-delegate-to-others-the-en_3121808.jpg"
---

#  Princes should delegate to others the enactment of…

![“Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours.” quote by Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f82/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_princes-should-delegate-to-others-the-en_3121808.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f82/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_princes-should-delegate-to-others-the-en_3121808.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f82/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_princes-should-delegate-to-others-the-en_3121808.jpg)

> “Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours.”

[Niccolo 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.

Rulers should keep unpopular actions hidden while retaining control over rewarding favors to maintain power.

**In simple terms:** Leaders hide tough decisions but keep the benefits.

Key Takeaway

Balance secrecy with generosity.

Themes

politics power leadership strategy ethics

Mood

cautionary analytical

Type

political strategic

When to use this quote

- government policy
- corporate governance
- crisis management
- public relations
- negotiation tactics

Key Concepts

realpolitik social contract public perception

Questions to Reflect On

- When is it justified to conceal decisions?
- How can leaders maintain legitimacy while being strategic?

A Different Perspective

Such secrecy can erode trust if discovered.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art of war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-war/) [Delegates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delegates/) [Favour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favour/) [Favours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favours/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Princes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/princes/) [Princes Delegate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/princes-delegate-5484421/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Unpopular Measures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unpopular-measures-4996083/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) [Winning Favours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning-favours-5484422/)

## Related quotes

> [At times unpopular measures are needed in order to change behaviour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-powell/at-times-unpopular-measures-are-needed-in-order-to-change-behaviour/)

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> [You have to be a prince to understand the people, and you have to belong to the people to understand the princes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/you-have-to-be-a-prince-to-understand-the-people-and-you-have-to/)

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## More by Niccolo 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/)

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