Machiavelli, Niccolò

[ (mak-ee-uh-vel-ee) ]

An Italian political philosopher of the Renaissance. Machiavelli was the author of The Prince, a book that advises rulers to retain their power through cunning and ruthlessness.

notes for Machiavelli, Niccolò

A “Machiavellian” individual is one who subordinates moral principle to political or personal goals.