Power Is Not What You Think It Is

“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.”

— Niccolò Machiavelli

Most people grow up learning to be nice, to be humble, and to wait patiently. But the world rarely hands out rewards to those who remain quiet and hope for the best. Niccolò Machiavelli spoke plainly when he saw power as a matter of control—won through action, not good intentions.

To Machiavelli, power was about bending the world to match your intent. It was the courage to act where others hesitated—not out of cruelty, but to survive, stay strong, and get results. In his view, you’re either the one making the move or the one reacting to it. Nothing sits in the middle.

The Weak Beg for Justice. The Strong Create It.

When people feel powerless, they wait. They ask. They beg. “Please be fair.” “Please change the system.” But waiting doesn’t move anything. Those who hold power don’t beg—they build. They don’t ask for justice—they define it.

This may sound cold, but it’s real. Strong people don’t wait for a better world—they create it. And while others are arguing about fairness, they’re already three steps ahead.

Kindness Without Strength Is Ignored

Kindness is not weakness. But when it stands alone, it gets overlooked. You can speak politely, show empathy, and still be pushed aside—unless there’s strength behind your words.

People listen when they know you could fight back if you wanted to. That’s when kindness becomes powerful. Otherwise, it’s just noise in a room full of louder voices.

A Ruler Is Either Feared or Forgotten

This is one of Machiavelli’s boldest beliefs. A leader who tries to please everyone will end up pleasing no one. Fear lasts. Popularity fades. If you don’t take control, someone else will—and they’ll make choices for you.

Leadership today calls for a steady voice, not a loud one. The kind that stays calm under pressure, stands its ground when tested, and doesn’t waver when decisions feel uncomfortable. It shows in how you carry yourself, not in how forcefully you speak.

The World Owes You Nothing

No one is coming to hand you your dream. Life is not fair. And being “a good person” is not a ticket to success. The world doesn’t owe you a chance, a seat at the table, or even an explanation.

If you want something, you take the first step. Then another. You fail. You learn. You keep going. That’s how power is earned. If you wait, someone else will take it from you—and they won’t feel bad about it.

Final Thoughts

“There is no in-between.” You’re either remembered or forgotten. Strong or replaceable. Clear or confused. You don’t need to be cruel or reckless to stand out. Instead, be bold, be honest, be ready — and they will speak for themselves.

So train your mind. Speak with clarity. Move with purpose. Be kind, yes—but never powerless. Because in the end, the world responds to action—not intentions.

Contact:

Editing & Narrative Direction: IBSU Communication & Creative Solutions Specialist

Disclaimer: This article is a thought piece inspired by Machiavellian ideas. It doesn’t support cruelty, arrogance, or manipulation. The point is to think clearly about how power works—and to realise that waiting for fairness is not a strategy. Use your strength with care. Build it if you don’t yet have it. But never act like power doesn’t matter.