Whoever is the cause of another becoming powerful, is ruined himself; for that power is produced by him either through craft or force; and both of these are suspected by the one who has been raised to power.
Niccolo MachiavelliDelusion gives you more happiness than truth gives to me. For injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavour of them may last longer.
Niccolo MachiavelliThe end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body.
Niccolo Machiavelli