Faustian

[ fou-stee-uh n ]

/ ˈfaʊ sti ən /

of, relating to, or characteristic of Faust: a Faustian novel.

sacrificing spiritual values for power, knowledge, or material gain: a Faustian pact with the Devil.

characterized by spiritual dissatisfaction or torment.

possessed with a hunger for knowledge or mastery.

Origin of Faustian

First recorded in 1875–80; Faust + -ian

Bain Capital partner Edward Conard struck a Faustian pact with the publicity Devil.

David's Book Club: Unintended Consequences |David Frum |July 3, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Faustus is likely derived from Hephaestus—a Faustian struggle is between good and evil.

Your Week: What the Stars Hold |Starsky + Cox |September 4, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
All this can be traced to a Faustian bargain Republicans made precisely 100 years after President Lincoln was re-elected.

The GOP's Vote for Hate—and Suicide |John Avlon |July 13, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
But yanked into the national spotlight by hidden cameras, it brought him a Faustian opportunity.

Gandhi Family Feud |Shoma Chaudhury |April 12, 2009 |DAILY BEAST

Let's get Faustian about this and raise the tempo, I nearly implored.

The Land of Look Behind |Paul Cameron Brown
Each transaction in the transient corresponds to a pragmatics that transforms the Faustian promise into an advertising slogan.

The Civilization of Illiteracy |Mihai Nadin

Faustian

/ (ˈfaʊstɪən) /

of or relating to Faust, esp reminiscent of his bargain with the devil