Poll: It is better to be feared than loved?
- Thread starter maxzero
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Fear is a good thing, but it will only take you so far. Fear does not encourage respect, it only encourages fear.
Actually, I think that it all depends on what you are working for. In what context are we speaking?
Actually, I think that it all depends on what you are working for. In what context are we speaking?
I just read the Prince recently, however, I'd take Machiavelli's writings with a grain of salt, as he may not have actually been completely serious when he was writing the thing. Here's the thing:maxzero said:
I think I agree, as the book almost takes on a comedic tone if you think of Machiavelli taking down to it's intended reader and every word infused with sarcasm.J.J.Rousseau said:
It is easier to be feared than loved, and one would be able to achieve more if they relied on fear.
However, I think leaders would do well to remember that when dealing with people, they are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion.
What would ultimately be better for the public, might not be perceived by them as such.
Perhaps because it isn't?
Wouldn't that mindset also make every leader that relies on fear a fascist?
To use the power gained through instilling fear into the hearts of the people to control those whom he should be protecting?
In the end, people don't need a fearsome leader to rule them. They need a caring leader to protect them.
However, I think leaders would do well to remember that when dealing with people, they are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion.
What would ultimately be better for the public, might not be perceived by them as such.
Perhaps because it isn't?
Wouldn't that mindset also make every leader that relies on fear a fascist?
To use the power gained through instilling fear into the hearts of the people to control those whom he should be protecting?
In the end, people don't need a fearsome leader to rule them. They need a caring leader to protect them.
Ironically yes, shortly after reading a translation by the same person that does the very good Umberto Eco translations and coming away thinking "Why did some of that sound a bit like he was taking the piss?" as a conformation it was a relief.Shycte said:
Fear is such a broad term.
I suppose speaking as a person I should be spouting cliches about how you can accomplish more through love than fear. So I will, but I'll ask you, what sort of fear are we suggesting here? Stalin-like fear, through abuse of power?
I suppose speaking as a person I should be spouting cliches about how you can accomplish more through love than fear. So I will, but I'll ask you, what sort of fear are we suggesting here? Stalin-like fear, through abuse of power?
Depends who, what and, when you are talking about.maxzero said:
As a normal guy on the street it is better to be loved, or someone might kill me out of fear.
Here is one intresting thing. When the Romans first stepped in to the Greek world by defeating the Kingdoms of Macedonia, Pontus, the Seleucides, among others there delcared that Greece was "free". Everyone loved them, members of the senate were invited to take part in games. For decades after there was rebellion after rebellion in Greece. The Romans razed Corinth to the ground in 146BC, that put an end to the rebellions. There were many, many politcal reasons, but when it gets down to brass tax, when the Romans were loved there were rebellions, when they were feared there were none (in general).
It really depends on the context. If things are going well, than there is no need to be feared and so being loved is preferable. There are times however, when the most effective way to rule is with an Iron fist. Sometimes you just have to bring your boot down on a few necks. it is actually best to be flexible, not limiting yourself to one or the other.
Fear helps but only to the extent when the persecuted'll betray and fuck you over. Love and Hate are thin lines as well.
So that's a yes and no.
So that's a yes and no.
