Quotes

Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
[Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945)

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"It would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved.” - Niccolo Machiavelli

In Machiavelli's book, The Prince, he describes how he feels that one should rule. Often considered to be one of the first works of modern philosophies, it contains many ideas referring to not only politics, but also ethics. This particular quote is how Machiavelli believes a ruler should present himself. Although many desire to be loved by their subjects, it is ineffective when it comes to keeping power. Being feared allows for an interesting relationship to be formed between subject and ruler, keeping subjects in their place. Machiavelli states that being loved and feared at the same time is most desirable for a leader, but it isn't realistic. It is not only the fear of the ruler himself, but also the fear of not having the ruler. Without the ruler, it would essentially be cutting the head off the snake and have many effects on the subjects..

Robert Higgs

"Governments, having exploited popular fears of violence so successfully from time immemorial (promising “national security”), had no difficulty in cementing these new stones (promising “social security”) into their foundations of rule."   

"Without popular fear, no government would endure more than twenty-four hours"                                               -




Sources:
(picture) http://www.presidentprofiles.com/Grant-Eisenhower/Roosevelt-Franklin-D.html