"Kings desire to be absolute, and men are always crying out to them from afar that the best means of being so is to get themselves loved by their people. This precept is all very well, and even in some respects very true. Unfortunately, it will always be derided at court. The power which most of a people's love is no doubt the greatest; but it is precarious and conditional, and princes will never rest content with it. The best kings desire to be in a position to be wicked, if they please, without forfeiting their mastery" political sermonizes may tell them to their hearts' content that, the people's strength being their own, their first interest is that the people should be prosperous, numerous, and formidable; they are well aware the this is untrue. Their first personal interest is that the people should be weak, wretched, and unable to resist them."
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II, Ch. 6
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Social_Contract
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The Social Contract
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