Liberality vs. Miserliness

"Either a prince spends that which is his own or his subjects' or else that of others. In the first case he ought to be sparing, in the second he ought not to neglect any opportunity for liberality. And to the prince who goes forth with his army, supporting it by plunder, sack, and extortion [...] this liberality is necessary, otherwise he would not be followed by soldiers. And of that which is neither yours nor your subjects' you can be a ready giver [...] because it does not take away your reputation if you squander that of others, but adds to it; it is only squandering your own that injures you."
-Niccoló Machiavelli,
The Prince, chapter 16

"You can be equally concerned about our troops in Iraq and those who suffered at the tsunamis with celebrating democracy."
-George W. Bush, on the $40M inauguration tab, excluding unprecedented taxpayer-funded security costs)
January 2005

http://www.inaugural05.com/


"Yes, your majesty, you are a fine violinist...umm...is it getting warm in here?"
-Bruno Machiavelli, Impresario
Il Teatro Machiavelli