This chapter examines Machiavelli’s initial responsibilities in foreign policy and his role in addressing the instability in the territorial structure of the Florentine republic. Tasked with preserving the integrity of the republic amid wars and internal conflicts, Machiavelli experiences first-hand the complex interplay between authority and consent across Florence’s subject territories. The chapter delves into his conceptualization of political prudence, the governance of public opinion, and the importance of “faith” in maintaining cohesion within the state. Machiavelli’s experiences shape his understanding of how emotions, belief, and rumours influence political unity, and he formulates strategies to stabilize subject communities by managing both physical territories and collective perceptions.