--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Still, a prince should make himself…" description: "\"Still, a prince should make himself feared in such a way that if he does not gain love, he at any rate avoids hatred; for fear and the absence of hatre..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/280/niccolo-machiavelli-368_absence_still-a-prince-should-make-himself-feare_2457876.jpg" --- # Still, a prince should make himself feared in such a way… ![“Still, a prince should make himself feared in such a way that if he does not gain love, he at any rate avoids hatred; for fear and the absence of hatred may well go together, and will be always attained by one who abstains from interfering with the property of his citizens and subjects or with…” quote by Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/280/niccolo-machiavelli-368_absence_still-a-prince-should-make-himself-feare_2457876.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/280/niccolo-machiavelli-368_absence_still-a-prince-should-make-himself-feare_2457876.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/280/niccolo-machiavelli-368_absence_still-a-prince-should-make-himself-feare_2457876.jpg) > “Still, a prince should make himself feared in such a way that if he does not gain love, he at any rate avoids hatred; for fear and the absence of hatred may well go together, and will be always attained by one who abstains from interfering with the property of his citizens and subjects or with their women.” [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. A ruler should inspire fear rather than love if he cannot earn love, but avoid hatred by respecting citizens’ property and families. **In simple terms:** Fear can replace love if it doesn’t breed hatred. Key Takeaway Earn respect by protecting people’s rights. Themes politics leadership power ethics Mood cautious strategic Type political advice When to use this quote - governing - law enforcement - community relations - conflict resolution Key Concepts Machiavellianism social contract Questions to Reflect On - How can a leader balance fear and goodwill? - What actions prevent hatred? A Different Perspective Fear may breed resentment if abused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art of war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-war/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hatred/) [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [A prince need trouble little about conspiracies when the people are well disposed, but when they are hostile and hold him in hatred, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-prince-need-trouble-little-about-conspiracies-when-the-people-are/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“There is more for us to gain through love than hate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/there-is-more-for-us-to-gain-through-love-than-hate/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“When you give everything and expect nothing in return, only then will you be in a position to gain anything. 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