Quote by Niccolò Machiavelli: “He who desires to rule must be prepared to use both the fox and the lion.”

To be an effective ruler, one must possess both the cunning and deception of a fox and the strength and ferocity of a lion. This combination allows a leader to navigate political traps and overpower adversaries when necessary, ensuring long-term success.

Machiavelli used animal metaphors to illustrate the necessary qualities of a prince in a volatile political landscape. The fox represents shrewdness and avoiding traps, while the lion represents power and frightening off wolves (enemies), a common rhetorical device of the time.

Italian Renaissance diplomat, philosopher and writer, best known for The Prince, written in 1513. He has often been called the father of modern political philosophy and political science.