But when cities or countries are accustomed to live under a prince, and his family is exterminated, they, being on the one hand accustomed to obey and on the other hand not having the old prince, cannot agree in making one from amongst themselves, and they do not know how to govern themselves. For this reason they are very slow to take up arms, and a prince can gain them to himself and secure them much more easily. But in republics there is more vitality, greater hatred, and more desire for vengeance, which will never permit them to allow the memory of their former liberty to rest; so that the safest way is to destroy them or to reside there. How does Machiavelli work to achieve his secondary purpose—to inform his readers?

He explains that principalities don’t know how to rule themselves.
He describes the steps people take when they join rebellions.
He describes the emotions of people in a conquered republic.
He shows the different roles within a royal family.
He argues why a prince should sometimes ruin a city.