The 48 Laws of Power

On the other hand, you must never seem manipulative or needy.

príncipe, tanto na má como na boa fortuna. Isso não pode resultar de outra coisa senão daquela sua desumana crueldade que, aliada às suas infinitas virtudes, o tornou sempre venerado e terrível no conceito de seus soldados;

The Prince is very explicit in repudiating received morality where the conduct of rulers is concerned. A ruler will perish if he is always good; he must be as cunning as a fox and as fierce as a lion. There is a chapter (XVIII) entitled: “In What Way Princes Must Keep Faith.” We learn that they should keep faith when it pays to do so, but not other

Because this powerful person refused to ever relinquish control or develop a succession plan, he is subjected to one of life’s worst humiliations: the public exposure of his most private vulnerabilities.