Niccolo Machiavelli quotes
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. 
If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared. 
The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves. 