I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse this mercifulness.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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The chief foundations of all states, new as well as old or composite, are good laws and good arms; and as there cannot be good laws where the state is not well armed, it follows that where they are well armed they have good laws.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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