Liber III, Pars II — Quomodo reges, et principes debeant se habere ut amentur a populo, et quomodo ut timeantur, et quod licet utrunque sit necessarium, amari tamen plus debent appetere quam timeri. Cap. XXXVI.

Liber III, Pars II — Quomodo reges, et principes debeant se habere ut amentur a populo, et quomodo ut timeantur, et quod licet utrunque sit necessarium, amari tamen plus debent appetere quam timeri. Cap. XXXVI.

Since in this matter, we are about to discuss how kings and princes should conduct themselves to be loved by the people, and how they should be feared; we want to examine how this can come about. It should be noted that for kings and princes to be generally loved by the people, they must possess three key qualities. First, they should be generous and open-handed. Second, they should be strong and noble-hearted. Third, they should be just and fair. Thus, it is clear that these qualities are essential. In summary, it is evident. For the common people only perceive tangible goods; therefore, they love and respect those who are generous and liberal with money and with things that can be measured by money. Therefore, it is said 2. Rhetor. It is said that the people love and honor those who are generous with money and liberal in their giving. Secondly, for kings to be loved by the people, they must be strong and magnanimous, putting themselves forward for the common good and the defense of the kingdom. For the people greatly love the strong and magnanimous who put themselves forward for the common good; for they believe that through such people they can achieve salvation. Therefore, it is said 2. Rhetor. We love those who do good for our salvation, meaning those who can help us by saving and freeing us; therefore, we also love the strong and courageous. Third, for kings to be loved by the people, they should be just and fair. For the people are especially stirred to hatred against the king if they see him not observing justice. Rhet. For we especially love the just. Having seen how kings and princes should conduct themselves to be loved by the people, it remains to see how they should behave to be feared by them. However, the powerful are especially feared, as is evident in 2. Rhet.) Because of the punishments they impose on their subjects. In punishment, three things must be considered: the punishment itself, the person being punished, and the manner of punishment. Therefore, regarding punishment, kings and rulers are feared if they impose excessive cruelty on those who disturb the order of the kingdom and the state. Thus it is said. Rhetoric. For people fear those whom they know have done something terrible. Secondly, kings and powerful leaders are feared not only because of the severity of their punishments but also because of the individuals they punish. For a just ruler must not spare anyone for the sake of justice. Therefore, it is said that... A ruler who acts justly spares no one; for he must not let his judgment be lenient for father, son, friend, or anyone else. Thus, kings and princes are feared because of the punishment of those who are judged, especially when they spare neither friends nor others if they see them committing wrong. Therefore, everyone in the populace fears to act wrongly, thinking they cannot escape punishment. Indeed, as the philosopher wishes. 7. Polit. So that it is fitting for kings to be feared more, and that they should observe justice more vigorously, punishing more and behaving more severely against friends if they should see them committing serious wrongs than against others. Third, kings and princes are feared because of the way they punish: this happens when they act secretly and cautiously toward their judges and officials in carrying out punishments and in administering justice, so that evildoers cannot escape punishment. Therefore, it is said that... It is said. It is because the hidden are feared more than the manifest. It is clear how kings and princes should conduct themselves to be loved, and how they should be feared: it can be seen that while both are necessary, they should desire to be loved more than to be feared. It was previously stated that the main intention of a king or any ruler should be to lead others to virtue. Therefore, every good thing through which citizens become better and more virtuous should be the primary concern of the legislator. When citizens and those living in the kingdom act well and observe the laws and the commands of the king out of love for what is honorable and out of the affection they have for the common good and for the king, they are more virtuous than if they did so out of fear of punishment and to avoid being punished; they should desire this more. Kings and princes should be loved by the people; and because of the love of what is good, the people should act well, rather than fear them, and they should avoid evil actions out of fear of punishment. Both are necessary: to be feared and to be loved. For not everyone is so good and perfect that they can refrain from doing evil solely out of love for what is honorable and good, and from the affection of the legislator, whose role is to promote the common good; therefore, some must be led to good and restrained from evil through fear of punishment. However, it is better to be loved than to be feared, as is evident from experience.