150 words for read article and ask one question

Haochuan Tang

CHI 253

Professor Xiuwu Liu

11/3/2019

Quotation:

Book: The prince

Chapter XXI: How a prince should act to acquire esteem

page 77 line 7

A price is also respected when he is a true friend or a true enemy; when he declares himself to be on the one side of one prince against another without reserve. Such a policy will always be more neutral instead of remaining neutral, for if two powerful neighbors of yours come to blows, they will be of the kind that when one you will have the cause to fear the victor or you will not.

Question:

This counsel is suggested to the prince to ensure that they have a stable hold over their empire in the face of adversities caused by enemies and those that continually pose threat to the kingdom. I am however perturbed by this question. Between being respected for the prince and being feared, what is more helpful to him with regards to safeguarding his empire?