… a feared enemy must be crushed completely… more is lost through stopping half way than through total annihilation: The enemy will recover, and will seek revenge. Crush him, not only in body but in spirit.
greene, robert. The 48 Laws of Power.
REVERSAL
This law should very rarely be ignored, but it does sometimes happen that it is better to let your enemies destroy themselves, if such a thing is possible, than to make them suffer by your hand.
greene, robert. The 48 Laws of Power.