---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Therefore any cruelty has to be executed…"
description: "\"“Therefore any cruelty has to be executed at once, so that the less it is tasted, the less it offends; while benefits must be dispensed little by littl..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fe/niccolo-machiavelli-368_cruelty_therefore-any-cruelty-has-to-be-executed_339484.jpg"
---

#  Therefore any cruelty has to be executed at once, so that…

![“Therefore any cruelty has to be executed at once, so that the less it is tasted, the less it offends; while benefits must be dispensed little by little, so that they will be savored all the more.” quote by Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fe/niccolo-machiavelli-368_cruelty_therefore-any-cruelty-has-to-be-executed_339484.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fe/niccolo-machiavelli-368_cruelty_therefore-any-cruelty-has-to-be-executed_339484.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fe/niccolo-machiavelli-368_cruelty_therefore-any-cruelty-has-to-be-executed_339484.jpg)

> ““Therefore any cruelty has to be executed at once, so that the less it is tasted, the less it offends; while benefits must be dispensed little by little, so that they will be savored all the more.””

[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.

Cruelty should be swift and brief to minimize pain; benefits should be given gradually to increase appreciation.

**In simple terms:** Quick cruelty, slow kindness.

Key Takeaway

Apply force sparingly, reward slowly.

Themes

politics ethics leadership

Mood

strategic cautious

Type

philosophical practical

When to use this quote

- government policy
- management
- parenting
- education

Key Concepts

Power dynamics human psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How does timing affect perception of justice?
- When is gradual reward effective?

A Different Perspective

Too much cruelty can breed resentment; too slow benefits may be missed.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Cruelty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cruelty/)

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