"But I do fear you, Envoy. I fear those who sent you. I fear liars, and I fear tricksters, and worst I fear the bitter truth. And so I rule my country well. Because only fear rules men. Nothing else works. Nothing else lasts long enough" 
Argaven to Genly Ai in Ursula le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness, rather than Assad to Annan as you might expect.