Question

therefore a prince, so long as he keeps his subjects united and loyal, ought not to mind the reproach of cruelty; because with a few examples he will be more merciful than those who, through too much mercy, allow disorders to arise, from which follow murders or robberies; for these are wont to injure the whole people, whilst those executions which originate with a prince offend the individual only.
—the prince,
niccolò machiavelli
which statement best summarizes the argument in the passage?
a cruel leader will prevent subjects from living in a place of crime and violence.
a cruel leader will cause subjects to commit crime and violence in rebellion.
a cruel leader will execute subjects who are guilty of committing crime and violence.
a cruel leader who is faced with crime and violence must unite subjects.

Explanation:

The passage argues that a prince's limited cruelty (targeted executions) avoids widespread harm from disorder, crime, and violence that come from excessive mercy. This aligns with the idea that such a leader prevents subjects from living in a space of crime and violence by maintaining order. The other options contradict the passage: the text does not say cruelty causes rebellion, that executions are only for guilty subjects, or that the leader must unite subjects when facing crime.

Answer:

A. A cruel leader will prevent subjects from living in a place of crime and violence.