Read the passage from chapter 17 of The Prince:

"Upon this a question arises: whether it be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, it is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with. Because this is to be asserted in general of men, that they are ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, covetous, and as long as you succeed they are yours entirely; they will offer you their property, life, and children, as is said above, when the need is far distant; but when it approaches they turn against you. And that prince who, relying on their promises, has neglected other precautions, is ruined; because friendships that are obtained by payments, and not by greatness or nobility of mind, may indeed be earned, but they are not secured, and in time of need cannot be relied upon."

What type of evidence does Machiavelli most use to support the argument that it is better for a prince to be feared than loved?

A. Empirical evidence in the form of observation
B. Historical evidence in the form of comparisons
C. Logical evidence in the form of generalizations
D. Logical evidence in the form of inductive reasoning