The greater good. ( John 15 v 13 )

One of the most influential books ever written was ,'The Prince',written by Niccolo Machiavelli,,it is not a long book,but it has been read by strategists,politicians, and business people.Stalin carried a copy,the book seeks to show  how should a ruler rule to be  successful.,and the main thrust of the book is summed  up in the following words,'The greater good'.In chap 17 , of his book Machiavelli seeks to answer the question' as regards cruelty and clemency and whether it is better to be loved or feared' .His conclusion was that it was far safer to be feared than loved.believing if they feared they you,they would be less willing to turn against you.But stresses that they the rulers,should not cause his subjects  to hate him. For many who say they are Machiavellian,that is, acting out the greater good,like Stalin ,who carried out abominable evils ,and was extremely cruel.I supposed Hitler believed that he was acting for the greater good when millions of people were exterminated.There is another saying,which goes,'you have to be cruel to be kind',I suppose one could add to that,because it is for the greater good. Cruelty is never acceptable,no matter if you are a strategists, politician ,business person,a teacher,a parent.,an animal trainer.The  greatest ruler who ever lived,died on a cross, because of His love,for humanity,and for their greatest good,his name was Jesus.