Diplomacy according to Machiavelli is based on deception. This assumption of diplomacy is closely related to Machiavelli’s conception of human nature which he defines as “For it can be said about men in general that they are ungrateful, fickle, dissembling, hypocritical, cowardly, and greedy.” Therefore the diplomat can use deceptions, tricks and schemes in order to maximise the state’s interest in its relations with other states. The correct answer is E.