When psychologists refer to the terms, Machiavellian or Machiavellianism, they do not mean Machiavelli's political advice. They refer instead to the underlying personality traits of cynicism, … Machiavellian comes from the Italian political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), the author of the most famous treatise on bare-knuckled politics ever published, The Prince. Machiavellianism is a personality trait characterized by manipulativeness, deceitfulness, high levels of self-interest, and a tendency to see other people as means to an end. characterized by subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty. He resorted to Machiavellian tactics in order to get ahead. Mar 28, 2026 · Keep reading to learn about the signs of a Machiavellian personality, how these traits are measured, and some strategies to help you cope with a Machiavellian person. Mar 23, 2018 · William Shakespeare would cite Machiavelli as “the murderous Machiavel” in Henry VI, and many of his characters would embody Machiavellian traits. using clever but often dishonest methods that deceive people so that you can win power or…. Someone Machiavellian is sneaky, cunning, and lacking a moral code. The word comes from the Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote the political treatise The Prince in the 1500s, that ….