Uma enorme flexibilidade moral

Durão Barroso revela "uma extraordinária flexibilidade táctica". Mais do que táctica, mostra sobretudo uma apreciável flexibilidade moral, aliás como aconselhou Maquiavel. A este propósito, cito Quentin Skinner: "Machiavelli is fully aware that his analysis of princely virtú raises some new difficulties. He states the main dilemma (...): on the one had 'a ruler who wishes to maintain his power must be prepared to act immorally when this becomes necessary'; but on the other hand he must be careful not to acquire the reputation of being a wicked man, because this will destroy his power instead of securing it. The problem is how to avoid appearing wicked when you cannot avoid behaving wickedly. (...) The solution is thus to become a great simulator and dissimulator, learning the skill of 'cunningly confusing men' and making them believe in your pretence" (Machiavelli: A Very Short Introduction, pp. 46-48).