Conference 7.286::digital

4790.0. "Machiavelli on personnel policy" by USPS::FPRUSS (Frank Pruss, 202-232-7347) Thu Aug 22 1996 01:22

    Apologies if this has passed by in DIGITAL before:
    
    "It is to be noted that in taking a state the conquerer must arrange to 
    commit all his cruelties at once, so as not to have to recur to them
    every  day, and so as to be able, by not making fresh changes, to
    reassure people  and win them over by benefiting them.  Whoever actys
    otherwise, either  through timidity or bad counsels, is always obliged
    to stand with knife in  hand, and can never depend on his subjects,
    because they, owing to  continually fresh injuries, are unable to
    depend upon him.  For injuries  should be done all together, so that
    being less tasted, they will give less  offence.  Benefits should be
    granted little by little, so that they may be  better enjoyed."

    Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince, 1513
    

    It has, but it's worth repeating.