Machiavellian believes in “who has the power/money has the say.”
So do whatever is necessary to get and to keep it.
Hence, he believes in “The ends justify the means”.
Win first and then you can do whatever with your power.
For good things, do them or appear to do them to gain reputation and support.
For the bad things, get someone else to do this necessary evils, so that if it fails, you can blame them and you still look good. i.e. always cover your backside.
Ruling with fear is better than ruling with love. It is better for people to fear you rather than respect you. With fear, people must do it or else.
With love or respect, the obedience is optional and hence less effective.
His teaching is very similar to Chinese HanFeiZi’s Legal School philosophy which believes in using the Laws (Laws are designed to favor the Emperor) to rule the people with fear to achieve immediate or at least short-term following and success.
Such principles work in the short run for quick success. However, in the longer term, people will discover it and will revolt against it.