ABSTRACT
In a justly famous essay, Machiavelli advises the Prince on the two possible ways to treat a conquered enemy. Either crush them so completely that they can never again be a threat to you. Or, dictate firm but moderate peace terms that avoid humiliation and permanent grievances, and work for reconciliation so that the next generation will have more to gain from friendship than enmity. But above all, do not fall between the two stools: do not injure and humiliate your beaten enemy yet still leave them strong enough to wage a war of revenge at some future time.1
