[XVI. Generosity and Parsimony] Niccolo Machiavelli. The Prince.
- Good and sincere generosity will go unnoticed. It will not save you for being reproached for its opposite.
- To be generous, one must be lavish. This will put extra tax burdens on the people. These people will grow to hate you. Generosity will reward few and injure many.
- Parsimony will stand the test of time. When in crisis, the crisis can be averted without burdening the taxpayer. So he proves himself generous to all from whom he takes nothing.
- A ruler must avoid being hated or despised. Being generous results in both.
- It is wiser to incur the reputation of being a miser.
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