Machiavelli was not very ncie

One of the most outrageous things Machiavelli wrote was that it is better to be loved than feared. He said that it's easier to keep be loyal to you if they are afraid of you, and that people will not be nearly as hesitant to betray or hurt you if they are your friend or loved one. I completely disagree. People will do amazing and wonderful things for love, but they will only do so much for fear. I believe that men can only handle living in fear and being downtrodden for a limited amount of time, and that there comes a point where they will not tolerate it any longer. Men will cross oceans and die for love, it is a much stronger motivator than fear. Why would you be willing to go through pain and suffering for someone who not only doesn't appreciate your work, but doesn't even like or respect you? I have always found that I work harder for teachers I like, I put up with much more crap from my family than I do from people I don't respect, and I will sacrifice much more for the friends I love than the people who have hurt or frightened me in the past.