Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was an Italian political philosopher and statesman. He is best known for his book The Prince, which is a treatise on the art of ruling and maintaining power. Machiavelli was a strong believer in the idea of a strong central government and the need for a ruler to be both feared and loved. He argued that a ruler should be willing to use any means necessary to maintain power, including deception and violence. He also believed that a ruler should be willing to take risks and make difficult decisions in order to protect the state. Machiavelli's ideas have had a lasting influence on political thought and have been used by many rulers throughout history. His works have been studied and debated for centuries, and his name has become synonymous with the idea of a ruthless and cunning ruler.