Machiavellian (adjective) 

Someone who is Machiavellian (mak-ee-uh-VEL-ee-un) is focused on his own interests – scheming, deceiving, and manipulating others to achieve his goals. The word comes from the 16^thcentury Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, best known for writing “The Prince” – a political treatise that advocated ruthless tactics for gaining political power.