Machiavelli and Kautilya views are extremely hard to comprehend only because they contradict with the way society views itself as of today. All people are brought up to follow leaders who have certain characteristics traits. Those who are being led have faith, respect and trust in their own leader. Machiavelli uses the public's views on him to his own advantage but only in a negative way. Machiavelli does not seem to trust anybody but himself and is always on the look out for other intruders in his righteous space. He does not seem to have a large ego; due to...
that he can defend himself against those who make war on him, and undertake enterprises without burdening his people, so that he is really liberal to all those from whom he does not take, who are infinite in number" Machiavelli 46.

Egos: "I would even be bold to say that to possess them is useful. Thus it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, sincere, religious, and also to be so; but you must have the mind so disposed that when it is needful to be otherwise you may be able to change to the opposite qualities" Machiavelli 50.