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Whenever those states which have been acquired as stated have

been accustomed to live under their own laws and in freedom,

there are three courses for those who wish to hold them: the

first is to ruin them, the next is to reside there in person, the

third is to permit them to live under their own laws, drawing a

tribute, and establishing within it an oligarchy which will keep

it friendly to you. Because such a government, being created by

the prince, knows that it cannot stand without his friendship and

interest, and does its utmost to support him; and therefore he

who would keep a city accustomed to freedom will hold it more

easily by the means of its own citizens than in any other way.