The correct answer is "it is better not to tell people the real reason you did something unless it benefits you to do so."
The statement that is true according to Machiavellian-style leadership is "it is better not to tell people the real reason you did something unless it benefits you to do so."
In “The Prince,” Machiavelli shares many political principles that created controversy at the time, but even today are of great influence on some politicians around the globe. Among the controversial ideas he stated, we find:
“The end justifies the means”. This is interpreted as one individual can make any decision or do something to accomplish the result he wants. It doesn’t matter if he messes with other people's ideas or steps over other people´s principles.
“For a Prince, it is better to be feared than to be loved”. This idea created controversy because it invites the ruler to establish the kind of government that provokes fear instead of respect or love. Machiavelli considered that if people loved the ruler, it could appear weak. But if the ruler was strong and provoked fear, the consequences would be the control of its people.