Which text structure does Machiavelli use in this passage?
Which signal word or words help you identify this
structure?
How does this text structure help the author convey
his central idea?
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.
- The Prince,
Niccolò Machiavelli