Those who by valorous ways become princes, like these men, acquire a principality with difficulty, but they keep it with ease. The difficulties they have in acquiring it rise in part from the new rules and methods which they are forced to introduce to establish their government and its security. And it ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things, because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.
–The Prince,
Niccolò Machiavelli
Which causes in the text explain the central idea that acquiring a principality can be difficult? Check all that apply.
Those who are valorous envy the prince and his new territory.
Those who did well under the previous leader become enemies.
The introduction of new rules and methods is hard for people to take.
Those who may do well under the new prince are weak defenders.
It is dangerous to take the lead in the introduction of a new order.
Answers
The causes in the text that explain the central idea that acquiring a principality can be difficult are
- Those who did well under the previous leader become enemies.
- Those who may do well under the new prince are weak defenders.
- It is dangerous to take the lead in the introduction of a new order.
Explanation
- The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli is a political book in which the author describes the duties and responsibilities of a prince.
- In this excerpt, Machiavelli describes the difficulties faced by a new Prince in implementing a new order.
- He describes that the prince has to face many difficulties and danger in implementing new rules as it will be opposed by followers of previous rules.
- They will become enemies and those who support it under his new rule will only be a weak defender.
Hope this helps.
In the given context, the following clauses from the text can explain the central idea that acquiring a principality can be difficult.
(i) Those who are valorous envy the prince and his new territory.
(ii) Those who did well under the previous leader become enemies.
Apart from these two statements, the remaining three does not refer to the 'principality' issue and are hence not the correct option.