Yet, besides my Miserableness, there was something very like pleasure as well, though of a grim sort.
"Oddsfish!"
Robert Hugh Benson
A Prince therefore not being able to use this vertue of liberality, without his own damage, in such a sort, that it may be taken notice of, ought, if he be wise, not to regard the name of Miserable; for in time he shall alwaies be esteemed the more liberal, seeing that by his parsimony his own revenues are sufficient for him; as also he can defend himself against whoever makes war against him, and can do some exploits without grieving his subjects: so that he comes to use his liberality to all those, from whom he takes nothing, who are infinite in number; and his Miserableness towards those to whom he gives nothing, who are but a few.
"Machiavelli, Volume I The Art of War; and The Prince"
Niccolò Machiavelli
In the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth Chap, our Author descends to particulars, perswading his Prince in his sixteenth to such a suppleness of disposition, as that upon occasion he can make use either of liberality or Miserableness, as need shall require.
"Machiavelli, Volume I The Art of War; and The Prince"
Niccolò Machiavelli