[Malum Prohibitum]

When you disarm your subjects, you offend them by showing that either from cowardliness or lack of faith, you distrust them; and either conclusion will induce them to hate you. — NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

 

[slabertooch]

That sounds like it is from "the Prince". I am reading that in the evenings and just recently finished "The Art of War", by Sun Tzu. I regard both documents very highly, especially "The Prince".