Chapter 3 Summary

New territories are harder to govern than hereditary territories or principalities. Men think that they will improve their circumstances if they change rulers, but this is rarely the case. The new ruler must conquer. Thus, he will make enemies with everyone in his new territory. Those that didn't want him there will hate him, and he will not live up to the expectations of those that invited him into their state.

A new territory is easier to keep if it shares a similar language or is in the same region as a conqueror's hereditary dominion. This is even truer if the territory is accustomed to being ruled. All one has to do is kill off the old ruling line and keep all the laws the same.

When one conquers people who do not share one's language or customs, the ruler must be very...