Niccol� Machiavelli

Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) wrote "The Prince," which is an account of government in which the "end justifies the means" (a ruler can use any means to gain power and rule his state).

Even today the term "Machiavellian" is used to criticize a politician who spends all his time and effort on getting ahead and manipulating other people for his own gain. A "Machiavellian" politician is a cunning person who will say or do anything if he thinks it brings him political benefit.

Machiavelli, like many of the great Renaissance artists and thinkers, lived in Florence.