It is essential that in entering a new province you should have the good will of its inhabitants

It is essential that in entering a new province you should have the good will of its inhabitants

Niccolò Machiavelli, a renowned Italian diplomat, philosopher, and writer, is best known for his political treatise, "The Prince." In this work, Machiavelli offers advice to rulers on how to gain and maintain power. One of the key principles he emphasizes is the importance of winning the goodwill of the people in any new territory or province.

Machiavelli argues that it is essential for a ruler to have the support and goodwill of the inhabitants of a new province in order to establish and maintain control. Without the support of the people, a ruler will face constant challenges and resistance, making it difficult to govern effectively. Machiavelli believed that the people are the foundation of a ruler's power, and without their support, a ruler's authority is fragile and easily undermined.