> "Always take sides." I've heard and read this advice numerous times, and it is even very old advice. "Rulers must never remain neutral. If neighboring ruler

> "Always take sides." I've heard and read this advice numerous times, and it is even very old advice. "Rulers must never remain neutral. If neighboring rulers fight, you must take sides, because if you do not, the winner will threaten you, and the loser will not befriend you. Whether or not your ally wins, he will be grateful to you. However, if you can avoid it, you should never ally with someone more powerful than yourself, because if he wins, you may be in his power." -- Niccolò Machiavelli, 1513 There certainly must be something to it, but in my opinion sometimes there is a place for neutrality. If it is expressed without any nuance as above, I don't think it is good advice.