Machy Matchy?

 Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a book called The Prince a couple of milleniums ago but its influence persists. In it, he describes his theory of a kind of person, The Prince, who lives for power. This kind of personality is going to do almost anything to obtain exactly what it wants to achieve and no one will stand in its way.  I'm not a psychology mavin, but the traits of this individual are something I've met in a few people. Is it a valid sort of judgement that they are Machiavellian. Is it fair to place it on anyone? Maybe not, but it does fit. I have come across a few very difficult people, especially working for them. What are their characteristics? They hunger to take all and be all the power in any and every situation.  And while seemingly competent and charming, their determination to defer what is kind and decent while pushing their own plans and goals without regard to anyone else's ideas or feelings is very real. Their devious behaviours and manipulations appear obvious, but no one dares defy them. It mystified me, but at least now, I have a name for it. Machiavellianism.  Some current world leaders must be Machy, if I may use that term. They do what they do with no compunction or human understanding. They have a goal and force it to be achieved. Even though people close to them, fear them, do as they are told while at the same having it eat into their consciences. They both admire and hate their own part in doing it, but continue to serve the Machiavellian individual. A firm "no" is too scary.  Remember the bully in high school, the one whom everyone avoided but who were flattered by a rare pleasant nod or personal comment of the bully? Even though there are discussions on how to live with bullying, it doesn't fix the bully. That's what bulls are. Stolid. Apparently, Machy people do not change. They simply appear in other scenarios going on and on disturbing everyone around them. The lesson, is to make distance from the modern day Prince or Princess Machys. If you have to work with them, say your piece in honesty and do your best your way. Good will win eventually, and Machys will move on to "bigger" things.