What is the central idea in this passage? Which phrase best supports this central idea?
(1) 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. (2) 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. (3) 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.
-The Prince,
Niccolò Machiavelli