Question

Read this paragraph from chapter 5 of The Prince.

What is the most important idea the author wants readers to know?

There are three means of holding a newly acquired state that is accustomed to freedom.
The easiest way to hold a newly acquired state is to play on the citizens’ own interests.
A government created by a prince knows that it is in its own interest to remain loyal to the prince.
One way to hold a newly acquired state accustomed to freedom is to establish a friendly government.

Answer 1

The key idea is that the easiest way for a prince to hold a newly acquired state used to freedom is to align the rulers’ self‑interest with his own—by setting up a friendly or dependent government that benefits from his rule, so those local authorities have every incentive to remain loyal and keep order.