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Concerning Cruelty And Clemency, And Whether It Is Better To Be Loved Than Feared
"Upon this a question arises: whether it be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with."
-Machiavelli
I think it is actually possible to be both. One of my kids recently said to their mom that I am too scary to be mad at. Niece recently called me the coolest aunt ever and in the same thought essentially said I am a hard ass (my interpretation of her words). I had just looked at her younger brother and he stopped doing what he shouldn't have been doing. Kids all over fear me. Kids all over know that they can come to me if they need Anything. They fear me because I don't bend on limits that I set. They love me for the same reason. I wish adults were as easy.
-Machiavelli
I think it is actually possible to be both. One of my kids recently said to their mom that I am too scary to be mad at. Niece recently called me the coolest aunt ever and in the same thought essentially said I am a hard ass (my interpretation of her words). I had just looked at her younger brother and he stopped doing what he shouldn't have been doing. Kids all over fear me. Kids all over know that they can come to me if they need Anything. They fear me because I don't bend on limits that I set. They love me for the same reason. I wish adults were as easy.