Machiavelli also argued that “Nevertheless a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hatred.” If you do nothing but pull a Rains of Castamere on everyone, you’re going to be hated. They might as well fight you to the last man, because there’s nothing left to lose.
Does Tywin’s axiom about “when your enemies go to their knees, you must help them back to their feet, else no man will ever kneel to you again” invalidate Machiavelli’s advice about never taking a half-measure? These pardoned lords may have lost lands, money etc but they still have resources to draw on and a grudge to motivate them.
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